My year as CPT President ends shortly. It is a huge honour to represent the industry’s trade association and I have enjoyed every minute.
The role of President is to represent CPT at a wide range of industry stakeholder events.
Over the year I have attended the full range of CPT events, meetings and dinners across the country. All have been well supported and professionally organised. Two highlights stand out: The Scottish Conference was excellent with first class speakers and CPT’s Coaching Conference was the best ever with thought provoking presentations.
Both looked to the future and how operators must move with the times; we must ensure we are ahead of the game.
Challenges ahead
The year saw some challenges. I believe that CPT achieved the best possible outcome from the Bus Services Act. CPT’s advice has been integral to the thinking behind the Government’s secondary legislation and Guidance.
CPT will continue to engage with the Department for Transport to ensure that as local authorities make use of their new powers, operators play a key role.
Something that affects us all is the Government’s clean air agenda. After persuasive and persistent lobbying by CPT and its members, it is clear that coaches and buses are regarded by the Government as part of the solution. The Government’s Air Quality Plan actually says so.
CPT encourages its members to get to know and engage with our local elected representatives.
I have been very disappointed to learn how little knowledge there is among MPs and councillors about how services are operated. It is vital, that as part of the business community in their constituencies, we get the message across.
Road congestion is the enemy and if we can persuade local authorities to introduce measures to combat congestion, we can help deliver many of the Government’s aspirations to improve patronage and air quality.
Like all businesses, we will face additional and new challenges.
Autonomous technology is developing at a rapid pace. driver recruitment continues to be an issue. more work is needed to realise the benefits of the Apprenticeship Levy and it is proving difficult to find an appropriate training model to fit in with the restrictions of the apprenticeship scheme. there will doubtless be issues that arise as we move towards Brexit.
Seizing opportunities
But our industries are resilient, with a strong and recognised track record of seizing the opportunities posed by challenges. I have every confidence that we will be able to deal robustly with whatever comes our way.
I would like to thank everyone at Lucketts who seem to have managed very well without me, the operators and suppliers I met on my travels plus the team at CPT for its help and support.
Finally I wish my successor, Martin Dean, all the very best for his year as President.
