It’s National Coach Week, and there’s some positive news for the UK’s coach industry. Employing approximately 42,000 people, transporting over 500,000 students to school every day and contributing over £6 billion to the national tourism economy, the coach industry is undeniably essential in the UK. This week, the government and industry leaders announced they are coming together to give the sector a boost and make sure it's ready for the future.
In a recent visit to Star Coaches in Batley, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed the government's dedication to the coach sector. He spoke about how coaches help connect communities and support the economy, and how there are ongoing efforts to improve local services and make them greener. These plans are part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, which is all about driving sustainable growth.
Ahead of National Coach Week, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) unveiled a comprehensive report titled "Coaches – A Clear Route to Growth." Presented at a roundtable on 7th May, the report outlines 14 strategic recommendations to support the coach industry
- Financial support: Advocating for a bespoke financial package to ensure the long-term viability of the coach industry, recognising its pivotal role in sustainable public transport and economic growth.
- Skills development: Proposing the introduction of skills bootcamp training for Category D driving licence acquisition to address driver shortages and enhance workforce capabilities.
- Environmental initiatives: Recommending the creation of a "green fund" to facilitate investment in environmentally friendly coaches and the development of a zero-emission coach travel roadmap up to 2050.
- Infrastructure investment: Emphasising the need for improved road infrastructure and incentivisation of low-carbon fuel adoption to support the sector's transition to greener operations.
The government's renewed focus on the coach sector aligns with the RHA's recommendations, highlighting a shared vision for the industry's future. By focusing on the importance of sustainability, workforce development, and infrastructure enhancement, this presents an exciting opportunity for long-term growth and is a reassuring pledge for all who work in the industry.
6 years of supporting growth in the coach industry
For the last six years, RideTandem has been supporting the coach industry in both the UK and Germany by combining fully managed services with innovative technology that transforms traditional coach and minibus services into demand-responsive, shared transport networks.
By partnering with local operators, RideTandem helps support local businesses and connects communities to employment and education, whilst reducing the environmental impact of existing commuting journeys.
Our partnership with Roberts Travel Group is just one example of the ways we work closely with transport operators to provide flexible, reliable and sustainable transport solutions. Here’s what they had to say:
At Roberts Travel Group, we’re incredibly proud to be a trusted operator partner to RideTandem and have been fortunate to work together for almost 3 years now. The RideTandem Team are absolutely first class, they genuinely care about the delivery of service to the client, responding in record time to all scenarios during live operations, keeping communications flowing through to us so we are able to work together to ensure everything stays on course! The App technology provides a clear timeline for our drivers to follow, and they enjoy the same level of care and operational support from the RideTandem Team, ensuring they feel supported throughout the journey. Our partnership is built on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to delivering an outstanding service for the client, we look forward to many more years to come.”
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