Ceredigion Preseli MP Urges UK Government to Support Local Coach Operators
Ben lake MP has urged the UK Government to provide more support for coach operators as fuel prices continue to rise.
In an intervention during a Westminster Hall Debate on the future of the UK coach industry, Mr Lake called on the UK Government to provide more support for coach operators in times of fuel crisis. This follows his call for additional support for rural communities with their fuel costs in a joint letter sent to the UK Chancellor last week.
Coach operators in Ceredigion Preseli have faced rising diesel costs in recent months and this increased burden threatens to undermine the vital contribution they make to the local economy, both in terms of facilitating the local tourism sector but also in providing essential transport services.
The Ceredigion Preseli MP raised the issue of local authority contracts for coach operators, many of which are having to pay exceptional fuel prices without any financial support. Buses receive a rebate for the cost of their diesel, but coaches don't receive the same support from the Government.
Wales has a disproportionately large coach sector for its population compared with England and Scotland. That reflects both the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy and the essential role coaches play in connecting rural communities and destinations which cannot always be easily reached by rail.
The RAC recently announced that the price of diesel had reached its highest price on record due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ben Lake MP said:"The increase to fuel costs in recent months is placing significant pressure on rural households and businesses alike. Local coach operators play a vital role in the rural economies, and without them the school transport system in rural areas would collapse. School transport contracts are awarded with fuel prices set at a certain level, but they do not offer sufficient compensation to coach operators when fuel prices fluctuate so violently as they have done during this fuel crisis.
"The UK Government must recognise the important contribution of coach operators in rural areas and ensure that they are supported to withstand this period of heightened fuel prices. Specifically, the Government should consider an essential user rebate that includes coach operators so that they are compensated for some of the increased fuel costs. Such a measure would ensure that local coach companies can continue to make their vital contribution to the economy. Ahead of the UK Government's budget later this month I will take advantage of every opportunity to press the Government to support rural households and businesses to survive these higher fuel prices."