Things have been getting busier in terms of Presidential duties.
I attended the CPT West Midlands and Yorkshire annual dinners and both were great events. The CPT teams did a great job arranging them and it was good to meet local members who are not always able to get to London for other CPT events and meetings.
Heading north
I will be back in the Midlands and Yorkshire regions in a month or so, visiting operator and supplier members. Thanks to those who have already extended an invitation, I will do my best to catch up with you.
I recently attended the CPT London & South East ‘Meet the Traffic Commissioner’ event in Reading. These events are a key benefit to CPT members and give everyone face-to-face access to the people who ‘police’ our industry.
CPT has a close working relationship with the Office of the Traffic Commissioners and ensures that members have access to the latest guidance approved by the TCs.
Before the meeting I visited Reading Buses and was shown around by Martijn Gilbert and John Bickerton. I must thank them for their time.
For a coach person, seeing how a bus company operates is revealing and I took some ideas away and will look to incorporate them within my own business.
A gas future?
I was particularly interested to see how Reading is managing the introduction of its gas bus fleet, and it is hugely impressive.
With Euro 6 becoming the standard for the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and five other cities’ Clean Air Zones (CAZ), I am interested to learn what the alternatives may be for coach operators.
Electric is almost certainly going to be the primary power for buses in the next 10 years, but coaches will struggle with range due to battery challenges and the current lack of infrastructure.
Gas may be one of the solutions for some, but probably not for all.
One of the main issues I will be dealing with this year is the London ULEZ and the five planned CAZs.
I recently met Leon Daniels, Managing Director, Surface Transport at Transport for London, to discuss coaching issues in London. I am pleased to report that some of the concerns we raised are at the top of the list of priorities for his team to implement over the coming year.
Responses needed
It will really help the coach cause if, when you see invitations to participate in any consultations on parking, charging or changes in policy, you take the time to respond.
I appreciate that it may sometimes feel like it does not make any difference, however these responses are reviewed and the more that come from the industry, then the stronger and more credible the industry’s voice will become.
