Cardiff-based NAT Group has announced that it has terminated its international coach operations into continental Europe with immediate effect.
The likelihood of foreign travel being challenging for the foreseeable future is a factor in its decision. However, Managing Director Adam Keen adds that the change will allow more attention to be focused on NAT’s core markets of UK private hire and bus services in South Wales.
“The current coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is a huge factor in this decision, but our coach commitments on the continent are extremely time-consuming and expensive to maintain. We feel our attention would be better served focusing on our core business,” he says.
Mr Keen adds that the change will enable NAT to open “an exciting new chapter” that will allow it to continue existing improvements. That will include investment in some alternative vehicles.
“Rather than seeing this as an end, we very much view it as an exciting new chapter that allows us to focus on what we do well and, particularly in these changing times, ensure that our fleet matches demand.”
No jobs will be lost because of the development. NAT’s O-Licence will be voluntarily amended to a Standard National authorisation.