RHA has marked five years since it moved into representing coach operators, with Managing Director Richard Smith noting how the trade association will continue to put forth proposals to drive growth in the sector ahead of the Budget on 26 November.
Those will include a call for the fuel duty freeze to remain beyond its current planned end on 22 March 2026 and continuation of a quest for incentivisation of the uptake of cleaner fuels in support of the net-zero transition and what Mr Smith describes as “other coach-specific challenges.”
A move into coaches by RHA was credited to efforts by North East Coach Travel director Jenna Rush – who was behind the Honk for Hope campaign for sector-specific support during 2020 – and Anthony’s Travel Managing Partner Richard Bamber.
Mr Bamber is now Chair of RHA Coaches, while representing coach operator members’ interests on the Association’s Board is Jason Edwards Travel Managing Director Jason Edwards following his recent appointment.
Mr Smith notes how at that time RHA began its work with coaches, some individuals were sceptical, but that “most will [now] agree that it was the right move.” He adds that the rationale for adding coaches to the sectors represented by RHA was the level of synergy between those vehicles and HGVs.
One highlight of the Association’s work in coach has been establishment of National Coach Week, which debuted in 2022. It celebrates the coach industry and has drawn political involvement from the start.
This year, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood launched proceedings in a continuation of his acknowledgement of how coaches differ from buses and should be regulated accordingly, notes Mr Smith.
“That was a significant breakthrough, and we are proud to have made it – with our members’ support,” he continues. “For too long, officialdom lumped coaches in with the bus sector, and as coach operators have long argued, they are very different.
“This evolving Department for Transport mindset is so significant – a subtle but potentially game-changing moment, led by RHA Coaches.” Other items on the political agenda include a relaxation of the 50km, regular service restriction placed upon the youngest PCV drivers.
Collaboration with other trade bodies that represent coach operators “is also a significant part of our strategy,” Mr Smith continues.
“We are making progress together with our members and stakeholders. But we have so much more to do. I along with the team and members will be reviewing this evolution to ensure that we remain relevant to the critical sector we take for granted as being there to drive communities, the economy, and day-to-day life.”
