Today (24 June) Transport Minister Baroness Vere joined Greg Smith MP, visiting Masons Coaches in Cheddington to hear how the UK Government can help back Britain’s coaches as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The visit included a coach ride with Mason’s customers, a meet and greet with the Masons team and a roundtable discussion on how to encourage more coach travel both as we exit and pandemic and for the longer term alongside Masons, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and Visit Buckinghamshire.
The Minister was also shown the practical challenges of deploying wheelchair lifts where there is insufficient roadside space and heard directly from customers about how the accessible, affordable, and inclusive nature of coach travel ensures they can see family and friends and enjoy a day out.
Greg Smith MP has regularly raised the plight of the coach industry during the Covid-19 pandemic in Parliament, supporting local firms like Masons and also Countrywide Coaches in Princes Risborough. He now wants to help ensure the coach sector is able to bounce back quickly as restrictions are lifted.
CPT’s Head of External Relations Tom Bartošák-Harlow attended on behalf of CPT and following the visit said: “I’m delighted CPT was able to work with Masons to arrange this visit which was an opportunity for the Minister to hear about the value of coach travel from customers and those promoting places and attractions across Buckinghamshire.
“We know that where coach friendly polices are implemented an increase in visitor numbers follows, helping grow the local economy without the problems of worsening air quality and congestion from increased car journeys. Our message to the minister was to work with the industry to back a return to coach travel and deliver coach friendly policies across the country like those we have recently seen in Blackpool.”
Director of Business Operations at Masons Candice Mason said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Vere to Masons today. She was able to hear directly from our customers about how much they enjoy travelling with us to places and attractions locally and further afield.
“Many of our customers are keen to get out and travel but they need the confidence to do so. It’s crucial that the Government works with the industry to provide this and actively encourage customers to return as we complete the unlocking roadmap.”
Greg Smith MP said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Very to Buckinghamshire today and I was pleased she was able to meet with Masons Coaches and a number of their regular customers to hear first hand how valuable coach trips are to local people. Having had such a rough ride through the pandemic, our coach operators need every support to get back on their feet as restrictions are lifted and we can all go on days out, holidays and trips again. Coach operators are so important to our visitor economy, as well as being a lifeline for many, particularly those who live on their own, to meet-up with others and enjoy a day out."
