National Coach Week – RHA sets out recommendations to drive economic growth

The RHA has issued 14 recommendations to support the coach sector to deliver economic growth today (Wednesday 7 May) in Westminster.

Its new Coaches – A Clear Route to Growth report sets out measures that ministers and policymakers can take to bolster a sector which directly employs 42,000 people and contributes £17.2 billion to the UK economy.

The RHA makes the case ahead of National Coach Week (12-18 May) that investment in training, amendments to licencing regulations, support for decarbonisation, and reducing border red tape would boost the economy.

Key recommendations include: introducing skills bootcamps for Category D drivers, incentivising low-carbon fuel adoption, and investing in road infrastructure to support the net zero transition.

The report was unveiled at the RHA’s National Coach Week parliamentary roundtable in Portcullis House which brought coach operators together with Simon Lightwood MP (Minister for Local Transport), Chris Webb MP (Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism), civil servants and trade associations.

Top of the agenda was the economic contribution coaches play supporting tourism – a key National Coach Week theme – and measures needed to unlock more potential.

Parliamentarians heard that the sector is a key economic enabler for towns, attractions and events across the UK.

Coaches take 4,500 visitors to Blackpool each day, spending £200,000 daily in the local economy. Llandudno and Alton Towers similarly rely on the sector to support jobs and businesses, and tens of thousands of football fans will use coaches to travel to the FA Cup Final and promotion playoffs at Wembley this month.

Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director, said:

“We are delighted that operators, stakeholders and parliamentarians came together today on the eve of National Coach Week to continue our collaborative work on supporting our industry to drive growth.

“The coach sector is an unsung, yet key economic enabler supporting businesses and connecting communities efficiently, sustainably and economically. We believe that the sector can substantially facilitate even more to the country’s social and economic wellbeing but it needs support from government and policymakers to do so.

“We need regulatory change and greater investment in people and technologies to unlock that potential which is why out a vision to get there that through our ‘Coaches – A Clear Route to Growth’ recommendations.

“I would urge everyone to get involved in National Coach Week and celebrate and showcase the fantastic job our sector does day in, day out.”

-ENDS-

NOTES FOR EDITORS

‘Coaches – A Clear Route to Growth’ Report in full.

Summary of 14 recommendations:

1) Government and licensing authorities should introduce lower age limits and remove restrictions for young drivers, accompanied by adequate safety and insurance support

2) Government should provide clarity on safety measures required of buses versus coaches to ensure that the former does not benefit from an unfair competitive advantage

3) Government should introduce a Skills Bootcamp course to cover Category D licenses

4) Government should develop a zero-emission coach travel roadmap in conjunction with the industry up to 2050 – sparing coach operators the burden of complying with varying Low-Emission and Clean Air Zones

5) Government should invest in the necessary infrastructure to support the sector’s transition to net zero, including the development of electric and hydrogen coaches

6) Government should look to lower the cost and increase the availability of lowcarbon alternative fuels

7) Government and the industry should work directly with industry partners, planners, developers and local authorities to invest in the road infrastructure required to support the net zero transition

8) Government should provide a separate regulatory structure for coaches, removing it from the increasingly regulated public transport bus sector and ensuring it is treated as an industry in its own right

9) Government should develop a skills and regulation structure that will encourage recruitment and development of staff from age 18 and extend initiatives successful in other sectors to the coach industry to support this

10) Government should introduce a Skills Bootcamp course to cover Category D licenses and consider lowering the age at which a person can earn their Cat D license

11) All levels of government should consider a bespoke financial package which supports the long-term viability of the industry, recognises the significant part it has to play in providing sustainable public transport, and drives economic activity

12) Government should consider launching a green fund to allow investment in coaches as more environmentally friendly vehicles, better infrastructure provision, tax breaks on investments, and funding for skills

13) Government should work with the EU to streamline border control processes, develop pre-registration and online documentation for this, and seek a less restrictive structure for drivers engaged on international journeys

14) Government should promote inclusivity by legislating for accessibility for all on coaches based on demand, and for the provision of supporting facilities in developments which will attract group

About National Coach Week

This RHA’s fourth annual National Coach Week campaign is dedicated to celebrating the coach industry's significant contribution to the UK's tourism sector and overall economy.

National Coach Week supporters can find a social media pack and ideas to promote the campaign here: https://www.rha.uk.net/Events/National-Coach-Week-2025.

Follow the campaign on RHA’s socials – and use this hashtag: #NationalCoachWeek