Belle Vue joins Guild of British Coach Operators

Stockport-based Belle Vue Manchester is now a member of the Guild of British Coach Operators.

Membership of the Guild is only open to companies which attain a 100% rating in their inspection, carried out by the independent firm Lloyd Morgan Group. The audit covers quality standards of customer service, including punctuality and having 24-hour emergency back-up, as well as areas such as employee training and development, fleet safety and maintenance, road risk and safety management, regulatory compliance and financial stability.

The Guild has a membership of 20 companies nationwide.

“It’s a prestigious organisation to join, but we don’t see it as a glorified badge” – Phil Hitchen, managing director of Belle Vue

Phil Hitchen, managing director of Belle Vue, said: “It’s a prestigious organisation to join, but we don’t see it as a glorified badge. We have good systems and processes across the business, and we are committed to providing the highest quality of service to our passengers and the best possible environment in which our team can develop their skills and careers.

“Joining the Guild will enable us to share best practice with our industry peers and continue to elevate our standards and those of other leading operators.”

(L to R) Anthony Winson, Guild of British Coach Operators Chairman and Phil Hitchen of Belle Vue

The Guild’s members share a quality ethos and meet regularly to provide mutual advice and guidance, including specialist groups for training, engineering and operations.

“As a hugely-respected operator, we are confident Phil Hitchen and the Belle Vue team will have much to gain from joining” – Guild chairman, Anthony Winson

Guild chairman, Anthony Winson, said: “We are delighted to welcome Belle Vue to Guild membership, having passed our audit process with flying colours.

“As a hugely-respected operator, we are confident Phil Hitchen and the Belle Vue team will have much to gain from joining, as will we from their undoubted reputation and expertise within the coach industry.”

Belle Vue has a diverse and growing fleet which carries two million passengers a year across the UK and Europe.

The company provides branded transport to a wide customer base, serving the education and corporate sectors, private hire and touring groups, as well as express inter-city services after teaming up with FlixBus earlier this year to launch daily links between Manchester and locations across the north, including Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Belle Vue is currently looking to expand its partnership with FlixBus to other routes to and from Manchester.