More detail has been shared of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Operator Forum that will form part of Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 12-14 November.
The Operator Forum will be held on Wednesday 13 November. It sits as part of the wider Masterclass Theatre programme. CPT and Euro Bus Expo event organiser Diversified Communications say that it “will introduce new perspectives in an interactive format,” with sessions being open to all visitors.
Accessibility, coach tourism, the future of the coach industry, artificial intelligence and workforce development will be considered in the Forum, which comes as CPT celebrates its 50th year. Those sessions intend to bring together operators, suppliers and decision-makers for “meaningful dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.” Speaker details will follow soon.
Advantage or artificial?: Artificial intelligence is increasingly prevalent. While some parties seek to embrace its opportunities, others remain cautious. But with artificial intelligence’s growing influence, it is time to consider the benefits it can bring to businesses.
This session will answer some questions that operators have previously been unsure of how to ask, and deliver a glimpse into how some groups may be gaining a competitive advantage.
The accessibility challenge: The industry has seen significant challenges with accessibility in recent years. More are on the horizon. Many operators buy into those developments, but others have held back.
This session will cover regulatory requirements and look beyond compliance by exploring how operators can attract new users and create a more welcoming and enjoyable travel experience for everyone.
Coach tourism – access all areas: Coach tourism provides a vast range of experiences, but ensuring that coaches are consistently welcomed and gain access to all areas remains a problem.
This session will explore practical initiatives that support coach operators, encouraging feedback and new ideas while providing updates on the EU Schengen area Entry/Exit System, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, and changes to package travel regulations.
All aboard – a workforce for a new era: Recruitment has been a pressing issue for coach and bus, but are suggestions of a receding driver shortage accurate or does it remain a challenge in a shifting labour market?
This session will explore those questions, drawing on evidence and experience and looking at how the market is, and should be, changing.
The future of coach – are we there yet?: New research to be published shortly will shed light on the economic impact of the coach industry. Perceptions of the sector’s broader contribution to society are evolving, and in this session a panel will offer a glimpse into their visions of how the future may look for this market, from city-wide coach strategies to the sustainability agenda, the coach itself, and life as an operator.
Speaking about the CPT Operator Forum programme, Operations Director Keith McNally says that it is “an opportunity for coach and bus operators to come together, discuss their experiences, and find new ways to thrive in an increasingly complex landscape.”
He adds: “We are proud to partner with Euro Bus Expo to launch this forum, and particularly to bring CPT’s wealth of insights and expertise to a wider audience, free of charge. It is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to tackle key industry issues, hear of opportunities and gain practical knowledge. We are looking forward to sharing the speaker details soon.”
As part of the wider Masterclass Theatre programme at Euro Bus Expo, the CPT Operator Forum will be bookended by a host of other content on a multitude of topics.
Those include industry structure, net-zero strategies and coach decarbonisation on day one of the show, to the future of bus services, operational considerations of zero-emission fleets and driver wellbeing on day three.
Speaking about the overarching Masterclass Theatre schedule, Event Director Helen Conway says: “Euro Bus Expo has always been a platform for addressing the most significant challenges and opportunities within the industry.
“Our partnership to deliver the CPT Operator Forum on the second day takes this to a new level. The sessions on days one and three, curated from industry-submitted applications and reviewed by an independent panel, will ensure that we are tackling the most pressing topics.
“Coupled to CPT’s expertise when shaping day two, the combination delivers an exceptional programme that provides operators with the insights and space to engage deeply with the issues that matter most to them.”
Besides its seminar programme, Euro Bus Expo will showcase the latest innovations from across the industry. That will include 21 vehicle manufacturers and dealers among over 170 total exhibitors. A few stand spaces remain available, for which more information can be obtained from Sales Manager Martin Laverton via email.
For further information on Euro Bus Expo, and to register for free tickets, visit the show website.
