Political anoraks may be the only ones really enthused by the prospect of a second General Election in three years. But we all have to face up to the fact that it’s here and it’s a great opportunity for the industry to get the message across about coach and bus.
In fact, CPT has been very proactive. It teamed up with the Campaign for Better Transport and sent every party candidate a summary of our vision for bus. CPT has also published a parallel document on coaches, setting out our key requirements.
The documents were headlined in CPT’s Newsline update a fortnight ago, but if any member missed the message they are readily available to download from or from External Relations Manager Tom Bartošák-Harlow at Chancery House.
Clear election message to politicians
The message is quite clear: To make the most of coach and bus, any government of any colour needs to work with CPT and the industry to maximise the mode’s economic, social and environmental benefits.
By getting in early, we want to sow the seed of interest among candidates so that road passenger transport is at the front of their minds if they are successful.
Both documents build on work that CPT has already done in setting out a vision for the future.
For bus, we set out our key commitments headlined in our Moving Forward Together document to buy only ultra-low or zero emission buses from 2025; to introduce multi-operator price capped ticketing from 2022; and to promote discounted travel for jobseekers and apprentices, building on schemes that are already in place.
For coach, we set out the huge role that coaches play in UK tourism, transporting people to and from large sporting events and getting children to and from school safely.
For both sectors, we point out the huge importance of flexibility in any future immigration scheme and the inclusion of coach and bus drivers on a shortage occupation list.
The documents have been given the Ray Stenning treatment to present our case for coach and bus in an easy to digest and compelling format.
A new dawn?
We didn’t do anything like this in 2017. But this gives all of us the tools to get out there and engage with the people who are going to make up the next government.
In another Newsline special, CPT has compiled a summary of the parties’ election policies in an easy to understand grid, so we can all compare their thoughts with our aspirations and see if they match.
It’s a crowded market out there. Everybody is vying for influence. So we need to make the most of the opportunity presented – even if you’re not a political anorak.
