Rising fuel costs are threatening the viability of coach services, including school transport, as operators warn that record diesel prices could force cuts to essential services. The average price of diesel on UK forecourts recently surpassed £2 a litre, exacerbated by ongoing disruptions in global fuel supplies due to the war in the Middle East.
Urgent Action Needed
Alison Edwards, director of policy at the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), stated that fuel costs have surged to unsustainable levels this year, pushing coach operators' already tight margins to breaking point. She emphasized the need for immediate government intervention:
“"Without intervention, soaring prices will mean difficult decisions on the availability of services, including home-to-school transport, and the viability of businesses."
Edwards highlighted that 85% of independent coach operators are family-run businesses and called for temporary support from the government to help with diesel costs. Unlike local bus operators in England, who have received subsidies to cover running costs, coach companies have not received equivalent support.
Haulage Sector Under Strain
Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), echoed similar concerns for the haulage sector, which operates on slim profit margins of about 2%. He noted that hauliers are now facing an additional £350 per week for each truck compared to pre-war prices in Iran, stating:
