29-01-2010
Industry Starts the Year in Style
Newly elected CPT President Steve Whiteway kicked off proceedings with an entertaining and lively speech, “I started out in this business 30 years ago as a young, innocent, [Ed: his words!] trainee coach driver.”
He continued, “The year ahead promises to be a challenging one. Whichever party is in power after this year’s election, the same transport priorities will apply, priorities which can be helped by our industry. The need to reduce car use, the need to increase public transport capacity, the need to improve the quality of the services available, all issues that can and are being addressed by our industry, with the flexibility to cater for future expansion, quickly and at relatively low cost.”
“Most importantly, the environmental benefits are there for the taking. There are no bus or coach replacement services, whatever the weather, any time, any place our industry is there to serve the travelling public. What we have is something very special and I look forward to spreading that message during my presidential year.”
Responding to Steve Whiteway in an equally entertaining speech Sadiq Khan MP, Minister of State for Transport, wished Steve well and remarked that he “looked forward to engaging with someone of Steve’s experience and one who will clearly be making CPT an even more formidable campaigner”.
After dinner entertainment was provided by BBC Presenter John Humphrys, who sparked a lively debate with an informal questions and answers session. We now know that John is a regular user of the 94 London bus service from Gunnersbury to Oxford Circus and why Tony Blair refuses to be interviewed by him.
We’d like to thank our sponsors and CPT member hosts who added to such and enjoyable and informative evening.