Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

As I write, we’re just putting the final touches to the 23 December issue. I have just one working day before I mentally wave cheerio to 2022 at Bus & Coach Buyer and join my family for a nice break from business.

Mark Williams, Group Editor

I know that many of our readers will be working through the festive season, on and off, underlining the absolute commitment the industry has to its customers and the essential nature of passenger transport. You are all ‘key workers’ and it’s such a shame that this is not always recognised, by governments and, often, the public.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic which we must put behind us, it’s been an OK year. Much has changed, including the travel patterns of commuters and of coach customers, but on the whole, it’s been a chance for the PSV industry to shine and recoup losses. I feel confident that 2023 will be even better for everyone.

For myself, I will be in my 66th year, and more than 35 of them writing about this industry, starting on the long-gone Coachmart. I am now hurtling towards pensionable age. I will also be able to collect my bus pass, and will not only be using it, but will be encouraging fellow crusties to use theirs. Not only that, but my wife and I are planning to book a coach holiday every year; for me, largely because I’m more fond of a pint of ale than I am of driving to hotels, oblivious to the scenery around me.

I will also be spending a day less in the office each week but, as always, available on the phone at any time. This will give me the time to engage in some other projects in the industry.

So I’ll sign out of 2022 wishing a Merry Christmas to every one of our readers, our fantastic suppliers, the enthusiasts who follow the magazine, the amazing back-office of the industry and, above all, the bulwark of public transport, the drivers. Here’s to 2023, and better things to come.