By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The year so far: A 2025 coach industry update from UKCOA
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Opinion > The year so far: A 2025 coach industry update from UKCOA
Opinion

The year so far: A 2025 coach industry update from UKCOA

April is here already — and many questions remain for PSVAR compliance and the future of zero-emission coaches

Peter Bradley
Peter Bradley
Published: April 14, 2025
Share
SHARE

It does not seem that long ago that we entered 2025, yet we are already past winter and the year is a quarter way through. I was hoping that we would have seen some important developments and even announcements from the government concerning the coach industry over the past three months, but sadly we are still waiting.

PSVAR has already been mentioned twice in our column this year, but it has been 18 months since the call for evidence closed, and there is still no news as to what will happen beyond 1 August 2026, less than 16 months away.

In relation to this I have picked up two pieces of information from operators in recent days. Firstly, finding second-hand coaches at a reasonable price that comply with PSVAR is becoming a challenge (as I predicted).

Secondly (and to my surprise), there are still new coaches coming off the production line that are not what I call PSVAR ‘enabled’. That is, they are not produced with PSVAR in mind; i.e., no wiring for destination equipment and no door, or framework for a door, in the side of the vehicle.

These vehicles may be used for touring or executive work at first, but surely as they are sold on, they could end up being used for home-to-school transport. Retrofitting is so much easier if the structural modifications are already in place, and that must have an impact on the resale value.

The one piece of information I have gleaned in discussions with the Department for Transport is that the PSVAR requirements are highly unlikely to be relaxed. There is only one way this is going; the answer we are waiting for is how much more we need to do in terms of PSVAR compliance, and by when.

Hopefully, through the lobbying that the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) and other trade bodies have undertaken, it will be in manageable steps. But at this point we can take nothing for granted. So, in my view, the more PSVAR ‘enabled’ vehicles we have, the better.

The other main issue that is concerning is the road to zero-emission for coaches. This was touched on by my colleague Stephen Spendley in the column last month, but in summary (and with thanks to Richard Telling, UKCOA’s lead on engineering who put this together):

  • Lack of available zero-emission coach makes and models, and due to the extra weight and changes to the design, seating and luggage capacities are less than the diesel equivalent, which means that they are not ideal replacements
  • Lack of available ‘on the road’ rapid charging infrastructure. Until this improves, it is not going to be possible to change en masse to electric powered coaches
  • Lack of available power to depots is the biggest hurdle to overcome, plus the huge cost to install the size of electrical supplies required (that is if the power is available)
  • Lack of funding to help coach operators transition to zero-emission.

In a nutshell, without adequate funding, we will not achieve anything like the number of zero-emission coaches that I am sure those in power would like us to have. Yet I cannot see where any available funding may come from.

It is clear that the government has severe constraints on its budget and what money it does have for transport I cannot see being allocated to coaches, however hard we lobby.

We are not giving up, but we need to be realistic too. I am waiting optimistically that we really will see some progress on coaches before the summer.

TAGGED:PSVARUKCOAZero-emission funding
Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article Two ideas for coach and bus suppliers Finding a gap in the market: Two ideas for industry suppliers
Next Article Barry Cobb Barry Cobb: Enjoying a coach career as a lieutenant, not a general
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd