Obituary: Simon Newman, Armchair Passenger Transport

Simon Newman, former Chairman and Managing Director of London operator Armchair Passenger Transport and former President of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), died on 19 August. He was 83.

Mr Newman and his wife Ann led Armchair for many years. His prominent position at the industry’s coalface saw him repeatedly highlight multiple matters that remain of major relevance to both coach and bus almost two decades after Armchair was sold to Metroline parent ComfortDelGro, in 2004.

The couple and their employees developed Armchair from a business that exclusively ran coaches into one that took on buses from October 1986, when a local authority contract was won. Armchair later moved into the London bus market, starting its first route there in 1990 and becoming a significant player in the western part of the capital.

While buses were later prominent, former Transport for London Managing Director of Surface Transport Leon Daniels – a close friend of Mr Newman – notes that his “heart was always in coaching.” He frequently campaigned for better facilities for coaches in the capital and vehemently opposed charges for them to access Heathrow Airport.

In a memorandum to the then-Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs in March 1999, Mr Newman underlined that while Armchair would shortly increase its bus fleet in the capital to over 90, it remained heavily involved in coach operation.

Indeed, Armchair had already won awards for its coach tourism services. Mr Newman was a founder member of industry bodies the London Tourist Coach Operators Association – now the UK Coach Operators Association – and the Guild of British Coach Operators, both of which continue to flourish.

Mr Daniels notes that Mr Newman’s shrewd business sense saw Armchair’s coach arm target corporate clients and incoming visitors. Regular visits to the United States to generate new clients often saw him recognised by British Airways.

“Simon was a tough businessman, but he stayed loyal to Leyland for vehicle orders,” adds Mr Daniels. “It took him a while to get over Leyland’s acquisition by Volvo. He lectured successive Secretaries of State and ministers, and was often critical of ‘overpaid, faceless bureaucrats’. I don’t think he ever forgave me for becoming one.”

Awards also featured later for Mr Newman. Having sold Armchair, he joined the routeone Awards judging panel and remained there until 2014.

During that time, Mr Newman noted how he looked favourably upon entries that displayed innovation and where focus on company image, awareness of wider industry developments, and relationships between management and staff were prominent.

“Simon was a valued supporter of routeone and willingly joined the Awards judging panel, serving until ill health took its toll,” recalls founding Editor Mike Morgan. Mr Newman’s involvement with CPT saw him sit as President in 1988-89, and on the Confederation’s Council for 10 years.

Armchair was owned by E H Mundy Holdings, of which Mr and Mrs Newman were majority shareholders. In his 1998 memo to the Select Committee, Mr Newman bemoaned a change of approach to London bus contracts that had seen a move from used vehicles being acceptable to a requirement for new stock.

“The capital expenditure required for batches of brand new buses is considerable and this favours the major groups, which have access to institutional finance and a ready market out of London for the older vehicles displaced,” he wrote, noting that difficulties in the London tendered market had already led him to consider selling Armchair.

Nevertheless, the operator remained well-known for its fleet of orange and white coaches and buses – both new and used – in West London. After sale to ComfortDelGro, the Armchair brand eventually disappeared, with buses being integrated into Metroline and coaches into the Westbus business. The name lives on, however, via at least one preserved former member of the Armchair bus fleet.

“We are all the poorer for the loss of another fine, active and staunch advocate for coach and bus,” concludes Mr Daniels.