Coordinated leadership critical to coach decarbonisation: RHA chief
Critical to the decarbonisation of vehicle classes including coach under the next Prime Minister is “substantial coordinated leadership” from the government and sectors involved, RHA Managing Director Richard Smith has said.
He was speaking as the start of Net Zero Week on Saturday 4 July approached. The difficulty of moving commercial vehicle types such as coaches away from diesel sits against what Mr Smith calls a challenging investment backdrop and the presence of significant risks that threaten to derail existing decarbonisation plans.
A major coach-specific decarbonisation call from RHA is extension of funding support to assist operators in procuring those vehicles. In the HGV field, a combination of the Depot Charging Scheme – which also captures coaches – and the Zero Emission Truck Grant will help market penetration of battery-electric vehicles, but nothing similar to the latter exists for coach.
“This must change,” says Mr Smith. “We also need to keep a watching brief on overall affordability. For a thin-margin, tight cash flow industry, further funding for HGV and coach operators may be necessary if the market cannot drive the required vehicle volume production alone."
Notwithstanding RHA's call on decarbonisation work sitting on a long list of priorities for the incoming Prime Minister, publication of a well-overdue infrastructure strategy for zero-emission coaches and HGVs would represent “an early signal of intent,” he continues.
A call for evidence (CfE) on that was published in October 2023. It was to inform development of the strategy for release in 2024. The CfE noted how the previous government welcomed “the ambition of and progress being made by the coach industry in what is already one of the greenest modes of travel available.”
Mr Smith says that knowing where infrastructure to power zero-emission commercial vehicles should be located “remains a key stumbling block” for the transition. While what he describes as “much good work” by some agencies and distribution network operators has been done in that field, “it lacks a central focus.”
To that end, he has called for an infrastructure strategy for zero-emission coaches and HGVs to be governed by a reconstituted Freight Energy Forum. That would give clarity on how, when and where investment in infrastructure will occur. Such a step would “give operator confidence to plan their investments,” the RHA chief continues.
Beyond infrastructure, the trade association wants regulatory certainty on decarbonisation. A comprehensive zero-emission vehicle mandate for coaches and HGVs across all use cases “is still some way off for it to be workable,” Mr Smith believes.
“However, carefully targeted regulation and investment focused on those operations that can be easily decarbonised could be possible,” he says.
Despite significant challenges, “the high-tech innovation that is transforming the commercial vehicle sector is very exciting and, in turn, we hope will inspire the next generation of engineers and school leavers to enter our industry,” Mr Smith observes.
“We also look to see how hydrogen develops as a credible alternative for lorries and coaches, particularly for the very hard-to-decarbonise operations such as long distance or very heavy abnormal load operations.”
Johnston Coaches has first Van Hool T17 Astron for Leger Luxuria
The first Van Hool T-range coach to be completed in Leger Luxuria format has been delivered to Staffordshire operator Johnston Coaches.
It is a T17 Astron equipped with seats that are to a 2+1 layout and completed with cream leather. Multiple tables are fitted along with a large centre kitchen, and each traveller gets a personal entertainment system.
Arrival of the Van Hool continues a period of fleet investment by Johnston Coaches that has seen it take delivery of multiple new vehicles since March 2024. The business advises that more are to follow as part of a long-term strategy to provide customers and clients with one of the most modern fleets in the region.
The new coach will be based out of Johnson Coaches’ depot in Stoke-on-Trent. It is the first Luxuria example for the operator. Operations Manager Shaun Lynch advises that choice of Van Hool reflects the fleet flagship nature of the vehicle.
“Being awarded a contract of this magnitude by a client that we have worked closely with over the past few years is a privilege,” he says. “As the relationship has grown, so has Leger’s confidence in us, and we wanted to reciprocate that trust by investing in what we believe is one of the finest touring coaches available.”
A regular husband and wife crew of Jon and Annemarie King have been entrusted with the Van Hool for Leger Luxuria work. Mr Lynch notes how they “consistently get fantastic scores on their tours,” with the new arrival quickly working a departure to Spain after delivery.
Leger notes that to suit Luxuria use, coaches must have a flat floor to permit the offset gangway that comes as a result of the 2+1 seating layout. A length of 14m length is also required to meet legroom requirement, a spokesperson adds.
“We do not limit suppliers to a specific type of vehicle as ultimately it is their business decision, but we take a collaborative approach as we want to ensure that Luxuria continues to be an iconic touring vehicle,” they continue.
Power in the Van Hool for Johnston Coaches is from the DAF MX-13 engine developing 530bhp coupled to an Allison T525R six-speed automatic gearbox.
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EVM hands over accessible minibus to The Children's Trust charity
The Children’s Trust of Tadworth has welcomed a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an accessible minibus conversion, supplied by EVM UK.
It is custom-built for the charity, which provides a residential rehabilitation centre for children with brain injuries. Usage will be the provision of essential transport at the Trust’s national specialist centre in Surrey.
Many extra specification elements have been incorporated alongside standard aspects such as air-conditioning and privacy glazing. The minibus also has a curtain halfway along the saloon and comes with nine seats on tracking with an underfloor passenger lift.
Funding for the vehicle was from a legacy gift by long-term volunteer driver Jim Bush. The charity has over 200 volunteers, of whom 12 are drivers. They make up to 120 trips per month for appointments, returning service users to their homes, and days out.
Speaking about the arrival, Director of Fundraising and Communications Michelle Martin says: “We are incredibly grateful for Jim Bush’s generous gift in his will, as well as the support of EVM, which has enabled us to introduce this new vehicle.
“Its accessibility will make a vital difference, allowing us to transport children to and from hospital appointments safely and comfortably. It also gives families the chance to enjoy outings together and spend valuable time in the community – opportunities that may not have been possible before. The positive impact of this vehicle will be felt by many families for years to come.”
EVM UK and Ireland Chief Operating Officer Peter Flynn (pictured, second from left) handed over the accessible minibus to representatives of The Children’s Trust.
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