Lockdown end delay ‘further blow’ to coaches – CPT
Last night’s announcement by the Prime Minister that lockdown ending is to be postponed until 19 July has elicited concerned responses from the industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Chief Executive, Graham Vidler, said: “Despite the delay to step 4 of the roadmap, millions of people still need to travel each day and the bus network remains a central part of keeping people moving safely. It is vital that the Government continues to provide support to ensure that the services passengers need can continue to run both while capacity remains restricted and passenger numbers recover.
“The news is a further blow to the fragile recovery of coach tourism” – CPT Chief Executive, Graham Vidler
“The news is a further blow to the fragile recovery of coach tourism. As soon as Ministers are confident that the economy can be fully reopened it is imperative that they join with us in promoting strongly the benefits of both coach and bus travel, building people’s confidence in public transport and avoiding the huge risks of a car-led recovery.”
Travel and transport union TSSA says support is needed to make the restrictions work and tackle the virus effectively.
“And travel restrictions continue to severely affect our travel trade, with a bespoke support package desperately needed for the travel industry” – Manuel Cortes, TSSA General Secretary
Manuel Cortes, TSSA General Secretary, said: “Continued restrictions are sadly needed, but they will only be effective if sufficient support is also provided. You can’t take with both hands and expect people to comply.
“Government guidance to ‘work from home if you can’ will continue to hit public transport passenger numbers, so that must be recognised rather seeing the imposition of cuts like those Grant Shapps is pushing at Transport for London. And travel restrictions continue to severely affect our travel trade, with a bespoke support package desperately needed for the travel industry.
“The most important thing is that we take the right steps to tackle coronavirus, save lives and take pressure off our NHS, and provide support for those workers and sectors of our economy who will suffer as a result of ongoing restrictions.”
“Tourism businesses across the UK are balanced on a knife edge” – Joss Croft, CEO of UKinbound
Joss Croft, CEO of UKinbound, which represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry, said: “Tourism businesses across the UK are balanced on a knife edge, struggling to remain viable while adhering to restrictions, and today’s announcement will put people’s livelihoods at risk and slow down the recovery of our towns and cities. Prolonging restrictions affects the whole tourism supply chain, in addition to hospitality business, and although health and safety must always come first, the Government must act swiftly and implement additional support measures for both hospitality and travel businesses.”