The issues remain for the bus sector despite receiving much attention recently, writes Confederation of Passenger Transport President Ralph Roberts
It seems to have been a regular occurrence over the last couple of years that, in any given month, there have been some pretty exceptional events, and the last month has conformed to this pattern.
We have seen the start of franchised routes in Manchester, the Prime Minister has extended the deadline for internal combustion engine-powered cars and vans, a part of HS2 has been cancelled, bus lanes are to be returned to Liverpool and the £2 fare cap has been extended. Meanwhile, it is political conference season with a few by-elections thrown in. Yes, it could be described as silly season.
I fear for what this means for our sector. I think the short version is that, for the moment, it is business as usual with a few “band aids” thrown in. You will have seen that our Confederation of Passenger Transport Chief Executive Officer, Graham Vidler, was trying to remind decision-makers that congestion is still one of the biggest drags on our performance.
Indeed, in the week running up to the going live of the Bee Network in Manchester, I took some bus journeys there, and the congestion was even worse than it was when I last travelled there a year ago. We can only hope that, once Transport for Greater Manchester realises how much congestion is costing the region, it will eventually do something about it.
Perhaps this will be the dividend from the increasing number of regions that are considering franchising.
As I wrote this, many of our sector leaders were at Busworld in Brussels to see the latest offerings of the fantastic manufacturing and supply base that keep us all moving.
The announcement that our own industry showcase at the NEC, Euro Bus Expo, will return in full in 2024 is positive news. It is an ever-changing environment for operators and suppliers and we are still climbing out of the shock to our system that was the COVID-19 pandemic. The world has changed, and how we work has changed, so we really do need politicians to realise that and stand beside us rather than constantly criticise.
On a lighter note, I read that the journalist Emily Turner has travelled from Land’s End to John O’Groats by bus. I love to see escapades like this because it is the best mystery shopper experience we will see. One person using so many different bus services, information systems, road networks and operating companies is sure to throw up some brilliant comparisons and I can’t wait to read of her experiences.
I had a great few days at the Omnibus Society Presidential Weekend in Grantham. The President this year is Anthony Delaine-Smith of Delaine Buses, which has been delivering quality bus services out of Bourne for more than 100 years.
There were thousands of years of industry experience represented at the gala dinner and the extensive discussions I had after dinner reinforced to me that, regardless of regulatory regime, political administration or ownership model, the overriding factor that motivates this industry is getting people from where they are to where they want to go. As we never lose sight of that, let’s make sure that all of our stakeholders don’t lose sight of it either.
