Coach operators call on Chancellor to support forgotten industry and save 10,000s of jobs

The letter, which was coordinated by the Confederation of Passenger Transport, warns that 1000s of family businesses are at risk because coach operators despite mothballing coaches and furloughing staff are still facing costs of on average £1900 per day but with no income or support from the Government.

Despite the spring and summer being the traditional peak period only 2% of coaches that are normally involved in a range of tourist trips are currently being used and bookings are not expected to return to pre pandemic levels until summer 2021, placing over 40,000 jobs at risk.

Commenting CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler said:

“Without question the industry is in a fight for its future and feels forgotten by government.

“The industry directly employs 42,000 people with many more jobs dependent on the sector to get people to attractions and destinations. Without support these jobs will go as operators will have no choice but to lay off staff. Attractions will also see reduced footfall as customers find it impossible to reach destinations.”

The three point support package operators are calling for includes:

1. A cash injection into the industry worth £65m a month, backdated to the beginning of the pandemic, to help the industry cover its costs for the rest of 2020.
2. An extension to the furlough scheme beyond the current October end date
3. Confirmation that coach tour operators are to be treated as leisure businesses for the purposes of Covid-19 support.

Graham Vidler continued:

“This injection of cash into the industry along with the continuation of the furlough scheme is vital. Ending the furlough scheme in October means asking coach operators to pick up wage costs in full in the midst of the low season for coach travel. Without this support and the recognition that coach travel is a leisure business many operators will go under as a result of the 18 month winter they are facing with little to no bookings.”