The curtain will soon fall on the industry’s 2023. A year that for coach saw the continuation of a rebound which looks likely to continue in 2024. For bus, the book closes on a period where well-overdue stability started to return, although the long-term position has still not crystalised for England, Scotland or Wales.
How the coming 12 months pan out for either sector remains to be seen. A likely general election will frame any policy developments. The present government, with its scrap of remaining authority, has done little for coach in that regard so far. Major change there next year seems unlikely.
A consultation on hours reform for coach drivers is understood to have been planned earlier in 2023. It did not materialise. Nor so far has a reponse to PSVAR review work – although, if bad news is to be buried, it could still appear as promised before the close of the year.
There is more. But it is almost Christmas, and the turkey and tinsel traditionals have at least sold well. Nevertheless, the “party of business” (as uttered by Jeremy Hunt, and not just Baroness Mone) could do much on a more simple level to assist coach operators in growing their own.
Improvement is required here next year. There are quick wins to be had. Does ‘skills bootcamp’ fit on a Christmas Scrabble board? Can ’50km restriction’ be deleted from the dictionary? And can the ultimate holy grail – recognition of the need for good coach parking and the benefits it brings – spill forth at more than a handful of local authorities?
Bus will also look to its respective governments in 2024. The devolved Scottish and Welsh administrations have at least signalled that some consistency will be forthcoming on the funding landscape. While more is always useful, the medium-term clarity is welcome.
Nevertheless, in those nations and England, a permanent end to the ‘kick the can down the road’ approach to bus funding is imperative.
Rishi: Get a grip, nail your flag to the mast, and commission a multi-year settlement out of the Network Rail control period textbook. Revenue funding, priority measures, electrification. The industry and local authorities will do the rest, and voters (and devolved governments) will thank you for it. And you or your successor must also address the threat to SME operators posed by franchising.
What happens with the £2 bus fare cap in England will also come under scrutiny. Some smart money is on it becoming a permanent fixture. Who among politicians will cull it in election season?
Such a move would remove the elephant in the room that is an exit strategy, which – malicious rumour has it – is currently stored concisely on the rear of a postage stamp in Great Minster House. But it would also open up a can of worms around long-term reimbursement.
Nevertheless, new vehicle demand – here already in coach and predicted to boom in the second half of 2024 for bus – hints that the industry is in for a better year. There is no investment without confidence, although even more of both might be forthcoming if some ducks are lined up by those in power.
Things other than a likely change of government are for the looking forward to in 2024. Euro Bus Expo will return, as will the routeone Awards. The industry will see other positivity; of that we can be sure – just as we can of it witnessing the rest of the unpredictable mix that makes it so addictive.
In the meantime, enjoy the festive break – and thanks for your support in 2023.
Tim Deakin
Editor, routeone
