As the appointment of a new Senior Traffic Commissioner is being decided – what should his or her priorities be? Brexit will put legislation back in the hands of the UK Parliament, but it's highly likely they will produce more than the EU. How much more regulation can this industry stand?
Still, I can just about remember when the current system of operator licensing came in and quality regulation replaced quantity regulation. There are certainly many more operators, price competition to the point where many companies have ceased to operate, and the cheapest fares per passenger mile of any form of land transport excluding walking and cycling.
The coach sector also appears to have an ageing rolling stock, and wage levels that are unlikely to attract new entrants when the 'baby boomers' retire very shortly.
Quantity regulation may have produced less, but more profitable operators, with modern vehicles, realistic profit margins and highly trained career professional drivers.
Trevor Coltman
Fleet Engineer
J&C Coaches Ltd
Newton Aycliffe
County Durham
