The Managing Director of a coach company has cautioned that the UK coach sector must accelerate its transition to greener alternatives if it wishes not to fall foul of a supply reduction of petrol and diesel over the next 20 years.
In issuing the warning, Chris Owens, of Llandudno-based Alpine Travel, also wants more comprehensive government guidance to support the industry during the shift.
In a vivid analogy, Mr Owens predicts a “Mad Max” style world, where traditional fuels may become a currency in the future. He believes that, although the industry might still have diesel vehicles by 2050, the actual availability of these fuels will be scarce due to the technology shifts in other sectors.
Drawing parallels to the automobile industry, he foresees a future where traditional petrol stations repurpose, replaced by more electric charging stations. Mr Owens further feels the relentless work ethic of many coach industry owners means they may not be seeing the bigger picture.
“We’re going to have to follow the haulage sector,” he explains. “This idea that we will be able to carry on running diesel until 2050 – yes, we might still have the vehicles, but the availability of fuels will be scarce.
“We need some clear guidance from government. We’re too small an industry to dictate where we’re going.”
Mr Owens therefore encourages participation with the BluMarbl heat map project, particularly from coach tourism operators, to engage further with the Department for Transport, to support future infrastructure plans.”
