Home to school transport could be under threat if coach companies are not given support to survive the summer.
That is the warning from a Nidderdale operator which took part in a peaceful protest with almost 100 coaches this week.
John Murgatroyd, of long-standing firm Murgatroyd Coach Hire, based near Thruscross reservoir, said the industry has been devastated over the last four months – and there is still no sign of it recovering.
“From mid-March, everything was cancelled throughout our diary to the end of the year. It has been zero income from then until now.”
The family firm usually makes its money from UK and continental holidays and, under current government legislation, could operate on a reduced level with social distancing in place. However, even with demand from their usual passengers, coach companies are struggling to put together holidays. Mr Murgatroyd said:
“Hotels say it’s hardly worth opening with reduced numbers. If we cross the hotels hurdles, there’s nothing open anyway so there’s nothing for people to go to.”
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The protest this week saw dozens of operators convene at Lightwater Valley, with some travelling in convoy from the North-East. It was part of a Europe-wide ‘Honk for Hope’ movement aiming to draw attention to the struggles of the coach industry.
Organiser Jenna Rush, of North East Coach Travel, said the theme park outside Ripon was chosen as the meeting point for the 95 coaches because it relies heavily on school visits from across the region, most of which are organised through coach companies. She said:
“I don’t think the coach industry is recognised enough. We bring £7bn a year in for the UK economy, and we support schools and help millions of children with home to school transport.
“Even the airlines, when they cancel or divert a flight, we’re the ones moving passengers around. I don’t think people realise how much we do for the country.”
She said the coach industry needs to make enough money through its busy summer months to survive the quieter winter period. The coronavirus crisis has meant it’s facing an “18-month winter” and many operators may not survive.
Her views were echoed by Mr Murgatroyd, who said when the volcanic ash crisis grounded thousands of flights in 2010, Murgatroyd’s had most of its fleet out in Europe repatriating people who had become stranded. He accused the government of having short memories, being quick to use operators in a crisis but offering no support when the coach industry needs it.
Murgatroyd Coach Travel was founded in 1935 by John Murgatroyd’s grandfather
Mr Murgatroyd added that, if coach operators are unable to get through the summer, school transport may be badly hit in the autumn. The family firm transports children from outlying villages to Nidderdale High School and Harrogate Grammar School, as well as one rural primary.
Along with others in the industry, it has furloughed its staff – but with the government pushing businesses to take on more responsibility for the furlough money from next month, he fears some coach companies will have be forced to make cuts.
“We’re trying to hang on as long as we can. Everybody I speak to – lots of the operators – the majority are small, like us, second or third generation family firms.
“This [protest] stemmed from Germany, where the government is supporting their industry with something like 160m Euros. We want something along those lines. It would allow us to keep going. Anything is better than nothing.”
A spokesman for Lightwater Valley said:
Lightwater Valley to reopen next month“The coach industry is a vital element to the ongoing success of the park and the loss of groups’ business so far this year, as a result of the lockdown, is a major cause for concern. We would urge the government to look at ways to help support coach companies over the coming weeks and months as, without some sort of financial help, many of them are facing closure.”
Lightwater Valley will re-open to visitors on Saturday July 18, but its most popular ride The Ultimate will remain closed.
To ensure social distancing, the theme park will initially operate with a reduced capacity and all visitors must pre-book tickets online.
To begin with, it will focus on running rides that are suited to a younger audience, so The Ultimate, Raptor Attack and Apollo will be closed.
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Staff will introduce extra cleaning and hygiene measures on site and queue markers are being put in place to help visitors keep a safe distance apart. Some on-site cafes and the gift shop will also reopen.
General Manager Colin Bowes said:
“We’re delighted to be able to start welcoming visitors back but we also know how crucial it is that they feel safe.
“We’ve allowed ourselves a little extra time to ensure everything is fully in place for opening on the 18th and we’re confident we’ve been able to accommodate a range of protective measures without compromising the visitor experience”
Any visitor who shows symptoms of coronavirus will be asked to return home.