Addressing a packed audience in The Theatre First UK Bus MD Giles Fearnley said of the last two years: “Yes, it has been tough; there’s no question about that but it paints a picture of life generally and it’s not just confined to the bus and coach sector.
“But I don’t get depressed. The Buses Act contains exciting opportunities. So often we find the agenda we want to pursue is common with local authorities’ and now they have been given the powers.
“We have a positive case to make about air quality over the next few months, and it will be so important to make it.
“Buses are being given a priority as part of the solution, and funding is coming forward. We have a huge opportunity and a massive challenge, and grasp that opportunity we absolutely must, however hard that may seem
“In my longer career I can’t recall a period when the bus has been better understood as part of the solution, and that we are the most efficient user of road space. And we need to capitalise on that.
“We all have a responsibility to engage with stakeholders to really sell the bus and coach proposition.
“We are on the cusp of truly transforming our offering to customers. That is why I optimistic. We are changing the way we are communicating with and transacting with our customers with a new arsenal of technological products to appeal to all our customers.
“Transforming the cash transaction means that in Aberdeen we’ve been able speed up journeys by 8%, as we have so many passengers using contactless, and there’s much further to go.”
“At long last we have the tools to deliver modal shift, of which we have talked so much.”
”As an industry we will be rewarded by bold. Outside London I firmly believe the commercial model will prevail and we can totally change perception by changing customers’ experience and consistently delivering it.”
