Scottish Transport Minister Kevin Stewart will speak at the Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM) Conference in Edinburgh on 25-26 April as the industry in Scotland comes to terms with recent funding cuts.
The Scottish minister will speak during the “policy” phase on the first afternoon of the conference, which will be themed, “The changing face of the bus industry”.
Following the ending last month of the Network Support Grant Plus funding for bus services in Scotland, Mr Stewart will be attempting to win over the attendees at the event held in association with Lothian.
Much of the talk among delegates off-stage will no doubt centre on support for the industry in Scotland in the light of widespread service cuts and fare increases.
Headline sponsor at the event at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa will be Volvo. Main sponsors are Alexander Dennis, EO Charging, Wrightbus and Pelican Bus and Coach.
The programme will centre around four “pillars” connected to the theme of the changing industry: policy, customers, products and colleagues.
Also among the speakers on the first day will be Confederation of Passenger Transport Director Paul White, Lothian Managing Director Sarah Boyd, ALBUM Chair Bill Hiron, Bus Users UK Chief Executive Claire Walters and Brighton and Hove Accessibility and Communities Manager Victoria Garcia.
Coming up on day two will be Women in Transport Chief Executive Sonya Byers, EO Charging CEO Charlie Jardine, Warrington’s Own Buses Managing Director Ben Wakerley, AJW Experience Group Managing Director Alex Warner, Flowbird UK Sales Manager Paul Rogers and Lothian Engineering Director Colin Barnes.
The entertainment and social offering includes a Forth boat trip sponsored by Allison Transmission and the Gala Dinner.
More information (tickets now sold out).
