RHA bring coach concerns to Northern Irish government

“Lessons will be learned” by Northern Ireland's Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) after the RHA voiced industry concerns over enforcement check frequency.

RHA coach members have reported that the frequency of DVA enforcement checks on coaches servicing cruise liners in the Belfast docks consistently leads to tourist itinerary disruption.

Policy Lead for Northern Ireland John Martin took these concerns directly to Northern Ireland's Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd in Stormont yesterday (Tuesday 5 November).

Raised during the discussions was the need for closer, regular collaboration between decision makers and industry, specifically consulting private coach operators on any proposed industry reforms and when working towards finding solutions to skills gaps, recruitment and alternatively fuelled coaches.

The Minister assured the RHA that the concerns of operators in the private coach sector in Northern Ireland have been noted and that “lessons will be learned regarding the recent enforcement activity by DVA. “

Following the meeting, John Martin said: “The RHA welcomes the positive engagement with the Minister. We look forward to officials following up on this meeting with further engagement over the coming months.”

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