Coaches in focus

During the recent RHA National Coach Week, Jonathan Welch caught up with the team in Castleford

In the week before the UK Coach Rally (see last week’s issue for coverage of that event), the RHA ran its National Coach Week, organising a series of events across the country to highlight the needs and successes of coach operators, with a focus on the people and skills required to keep the industry rolling, and including participation from operators, stakeholders and politicians. The trade body also used the week to launch its coach manifesto, laying out what it would like to see from a future government to help the coach industry continue to rebuild and thrive.

CBW caught up with some of the RHA team at its event in Castleford, hosted by Pelican Bus & Coach at its recently-opened new showroom and workshop facility, for a catch-up and a go on the RHA’s driving simulator.

Stimulating simulation

The RHA’s driving simulator, which is available for the use of all members, both HGV and PSV, appeared at a number of events around the country during the week, and of course CBW took the opportunity to have a go behind the wheel. I’ll admit to both never having tried one before, and also to having been quite sceptical of the concept of computer simulation as an aid to driver training.

Under the guidance of the RHA’s Technical Director Paul Allera, and early in the day to ensure there were few spectators, I got behind the wheel of the simulator’s bus, a left-hand-drive tri-axle low floor city bus. Without the benefit of the sensation of movement, but surrounded by the ‘cab’ and three large screens, it took a little time to get used to the controls and to get a feel for the ‘size’ of the vehicle. Thankfully, the view in the ‘mirrors’ (I wonder what the digital version of digital mirrors would be like?!) was a great help in gauging the length and width… not unlike on a real bus, really.

[…]