Transport Minister Baroness Vere has paid a visit to Masons Minibus and Coach Hire.
The visit, which was also attended by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), local MP Greg Smith and Visit Buckinghamshire, included a coach ride with passengers, a meet and greet with the Masons team and a roundtable discussion on how the government can support coach travel out of the pandemic.
Masons, which earlier this year announced its desire to launch a national marketing campaign for the coach industry, took the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits that coach travel presents to its community, as well as the challenges it faces, such as deploying wheelchair lifts with insufficient roadside space.
“I’m delighted CPT was able to work with Masons to arrange this visit which was an opportunity for the minister to hear about the value of coach travel from customers and those promoting places and attractions across Buckinghamshire,” says CPT Head of External Relations Tom Bartošák-Harlow. “We know that where coach friendly policies are implemented an increase in visitor numbers follows, helping grow the local economy without the problems of worsening air quality and congestion from increased car journeys.
“Our message to the minister was to work with the industry to back a return to coach travel and deliver coach friendly policies across the country like those we have recently seen in Blackpool.”
Adds Director of Business Operations at Masons Candice Mason: “It was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Vere to Masons today. She was able to hear directly from our customers about how much they enjoy travelling with us to places and attractions locally and further afield.
“Many of our customers are keen to get out and travel but they need the confidence to do so. It’s crucial that the government works with the industry to provide this and actively encourage customers to return as we complete the unlocking roadmap.”
