Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP visited Star Coaches of Batley in West Yorkshire ahead of RHA National Coach Week. Kevin Carr reports
Ahead of National Coach Week, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP made a visit to Star Coaches of Batley in West Yorkshire to affirm the Government’s commitment in supporting the coach industry. In partnership with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) the event signalled renewed support from government and showcased the achievements of Star Coaches, which has been operating since 1982. I was pleased to be on site to hear all about it.
Before hearing from those who had gathered, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a look at Star’s depot and facilities. The company is run by its owner Imran Dabhad, operating vehicles ranging from 16 to 70 seats. It was very clear to see the amount of hard work and investment that has gone in to making Star Coaches what it is today. As a Yorkshire man myself, I have frequently seen Star’s fleet on the road as I have driven up and down the motorways, and the coaches are consistently presented to an immaculate standard. But I was super impressed to see the company’s facilities.
The yard is vast, level and freshly surfaced with a solid concrete base. There is a new purpose-built facility which houses two lanes for engineering and maintenance together with office and staff accommodation. There is also a coach wash lane on site – which I was pleased to see in action. A variety of the fleet was parked
in the depot during my visit and every vehicle was spotless. The outstanding quality of this operator is clear to see throughout.
The Minister spent time with staff from Star to hear about the journey the company has made since its formation over four decades ago and the challenges the coach industry faces. “It was a pleasure to visit Star Coaches in Batley today, ahead of National Coach Week,” he said.
”From getting over half a million students to school each day, to supporting 42,000 jobs for drivers and other staff, the coach sector plays a vital role in our economy, and keeps communities connected.” He went on to say: “That’s why we’re working hand-in-hand with the industry to unlock its full potential – which will ultimately boost local economies and open up access to greater job opportunities across the country to drive growth as part of our Plan for Change.” Richard Smith, Managing Director of RHA, which organises National Coach Week, was available to provide an insight.
He said: “National Coach Week is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vital role the coach industry plays in our society. Coaches provide essential transport links, connect communities, and support our tourism sector. They are also a key part of the solution to reducing congestion and improving air quality. We urge everyone to join us in celebrating this important industry and recognise the hard work and dedication of the people who make it all possible.”
In fact, the RHA set out a 14-point set of recommendations directly to Government in highlighting the huge economic contribution that coaches make to the country. Blackpool alone takes in 4,500 visitors per day from coaches, spending an estimated £200,000 daily in the local economy as one example, the RHA says.
I had some questions that I wanted to ask the Minister and so I was glad to spend some time, one to one, with him to see what answers he was able to give. I started by asking him about the ongoing driver shortage and what the Government was going to do to support the industry.
He said “This is part of the conversation that we will be having with industry leaders to ensure that we get that next generation of drivers but also, critically, engineers. And, as we look to decarbonise the industry, there is an opportunity here because the traditional perception is that engineering is a dirty hands job, and actually these kinds of misconceptions you can challenge. Showing young people about the potential careers, about the jobs that exist in the industry, and that it’s more of a technological type of career, can be really attractive. But we have to listen to the industry about the recruitment of coach drivers who play a really important role.”
I asked the Minister if the Government could fund training places for car drivers looking for a new career to train to be coach drivers. He replied: “It’s certainly something that we can look to and we’ll have that conversation with industry leaders about what is the art of the possible – how as an industry we can pull together to deliver that training.”
Talking of Decarbonisation I was keen to press Simon on the future, how zero-emission vehicles can be introduced to the coach industry and how we might look to avoid splitting the bus and coach industry technologically by electric and other zero-emission options. He answered: “We haven’t yet set a date for phasing out internal combustion engines in coaches. As we move towards that we would want to be consulting carefully with the industry to make sure that whilst we incentivise; we don’t add more pressure to an industry that has had its fair share of challenges post-Covid.”
He went on to say: “I think that we have to realise that the availability of electric coaches is new. It’s only been about a year since a fully electric coach has been available. But we’re already seeing companies adopt those coaches because they offer better value for money, are cheaper to run and are a more pleasant experience for passengers. But as a Government we are not focused on any one particular route to decarbonisation, so we are open to both possibilities of hydrogen and electric”.
I moved on to ask the Minister about coaches being made welcome at tourist destinations and resorts. Recent times have seen issues in particular locations where coaches have had problems with access and I asked him what the Government could do to help. He said: “It’s about shouting about the successes of the coach industry, the really vital role it plays in growing the economy, that we engage with local authorities and make sure there is a partnership with operators. I want there to be coach parking, bringing in visitors and tourists from throughout the country. They’re spending money in the local economy and that can’t be understated.”
Finally I touched on international issues. With potential global economic problems arising
from tariffs in the US and others, unsettlement in other parts of the world and uncertainty from the Far East, I asked the Minister if we should be manufacturing more for ourselves and if are we too reliant on manufacturers from abroad.
He replied: “I would hope that we are able to support domestic manufacturers to create fantastic products for the UK market and these products, that we are proud of, we can export as well. In terms of the international dimension, now is the time for calm heads and with the US in particular there’s extensive evidence about reaching a trade deal with the United States. But I want us to be able to compete with Chinese manufacturers, for instance, as well.”
Indeed, just 48 hours after talking to Simon, the UK and the US had announced a new trade deal and we will see in the weeks and months to come what impact this has. National Coach Week shines bright in highlighting the successes and importance of an exceptionally hard-working coach industry.
And what an example Star Coaches of Batley truly is to demonstrate this. It’s the kind of operator that you know for sure is ready for the challenges of whatever may lay ahead, particularly decarbonisation. But crucially, whilst we celebrate a week of coaches, it is right to raise the serious issues that the industry faces and put these fully in front of those in power. Having the ear of Government is important but ensuring that they deliver the support the industry needs? That’s vital.
