The deadline for completion of the Backstop survey into the number of passengers carried by the coach industry has been extended by one week to Monday 30 November at 1700hrs.
Transport legal firm Backhouse Jones, which has circulated the survey and is collating responses, says that it has received an “overwhelming response” thus far, with hundreds of operators having supplied data.
However, it has extended the deadline to allow as many more coach businesses as possible to participate. The survey has been created to generate data to illustrate the extent of the essential travel that the industry provides. It is hoped that evidence will help to persuade the government to deliver a package of sector-specific support.
Backhouse Jones is acting on behalf of Richard Bamber of Anthony’s Travel; Candice Mason of Masons Minibus and Coach Hire; and Jenna Rush of North East Coach Travel. All three have previously been active in lobbying for support for the industry.
Mr Bamber says that he has received “numerous calls” from operators enquiring about the coach industry survey. “We are all in the same boat. We all want the same thing: To secure a future for our industry and, just as importantly, for the millions of passengers that we provide essential transport services to each year.”
The survey can be completed online via this link. Backhouse Jones says it will take approximately 30min to do so. Operators will need details of passenger and vehicle numbers for 2019 and 2020.
Please note that data provided will be collated by Backhouse Jones. This survey does not form part of the ongoing routeone market research into coach operator confidence.
