A stronger voice for the UK coach sector

Coach UK is the dedicated voice for coach operators within the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

Created by bringing together CPT’s existing coach community and the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA), Coach UK represents more than 500 coach businesses operating over 10,000 vehicles across the country.

Our purpose is simple: to raise the profile and influence of coaches, strengthen the coach operator community and help make Britain more coach friendly.

Coach UK is run by coach operators, for coach operators, bringing the industry together behind a stronger, united voice while providing members with practical support, expertise, information and opportunities to connect.

Representing coaches

Coaches are an essential part of the UK’s passenger transport network, connecting communities and enabling school travel, tourism, scheduled services, international journeys, private hire and much more.

Coach UK works to ensure the contribution of coaches is understood and their interests are represented with decision-makers at local, regional, devolved and national level.

Our priorities include:

  • Raising the profile and influence of the coach sector
  • Campaigning for coach-friendly policies and infrastructure
  • Improving coach facilities in towns, cities and visitor destinations
  • Tackling the pressures facing operators, including fuel and operating costs
  • Promoting proportionate and workable regulation
  • Supporting the sector on its journey towards decarbonisation
  • Providing operators with practical information, advice and support
  • Building a stronger and better-connected coach operator community

Coach UK builds on CPT’s established representation of the passenger transport sector and its relationships with governments, local authorities, regulators and industry stakeholders across the UK.

View Coach Policies            View recent news

A community built around coach operators

Coach UK has been established to bring operators together and ensure the sector helps shape the work undertaken on its behalf.

A dedicated Coach UK Board, incorporating representation from both the former UKCOA Board and CPT’s coach community, helps determine priorities and ensures Coach UK remains shaped by the businesses it represents.

The dedicated Coach UK team brings together expertise and experience from across CPT and UKCOA and works closely with CPT colleagues specialising in policy, operations, communications, membership and regional representation.

This means coach operators benefit from dedicated sector representation while also drawing on the wider knowledge, resources and influence of CPT.

Coach UK Membership

Whether you operate a single coach or a large fleet, membership gives you the opportunity to become part of a national community working together to strengthen the coach sector.

Members can access a range of representation, information, meetings, events and opportunities to connect with fellow operators and contribute to the issues affecting their businesses.

Coach UK membership includes access to all CPT Member benefits, alongside:

  • Dedicated representation of the coach sector
  • A voice on key coach policies and industry issues
  • Dedicated Coach UK news and updates
  • Coaching Matters communications
  • Coach-focused meetings, briefings and events
  • Opportunities to engage directly with fellow coach operators
  • Opportunities to contribute to Coach UK priorities and policy development
  • Support from the dedicated Coach UK team
  • Regional and national networking opportunities

Membership extends across the organisation, so relevant colleagues within a business are encouraged to get involved.

Find out more about membership and apply to join

Coach UK Team

Coach UK has a dedicated team focused on supporting and representing coach operators:

  • Peter Bradley, Head of Coach
  • Andy Shaw, Coaching Manager
  • Stephen Spendley, Coach UK Operations Manager

Members can contact the team on:

Email: coachuk@cpt-uk.org
Telephone: 020 7240 3131

Non-members interested in finding out more should contact the Membership Team.

Meetings and events

Coach UK provides a comprehensive programme of meetings and events throughout the year, complementing the wider CPT calendar.

These provide opportunities to:

  • Hear the latest policy, regulatory and industry developments
  • Discuss issues affecting the coach sector
  • Share experiences and practical knowledge
  • Meet fellow operators and industry partners
  • Contribute to Coach UK policy and priorities
  • Build relationships across the coach and wider passenger transport community

View the full events calendar here

Working together for a stronger coach sector

Coach operators make hundreds of millions of journeys possible every year, supporting communities, schools, tourism and the wider UK economy.

Coach UK gives those businesses a united platform from which to speak, collaborate and shape the future of the sector.

The more our members engage, share their experience and contribute to our work, the stronger that collective voice becomes.