April 02 2026

Every local authority in England will be required to make proper provision for coaches from today following official recognition from the Government of the industry’s importance to public transport. 

Following campaigning by CPT, the Department for Transport has announced that it expects local transport authorities to “recognise and plan for the role and contribution of coach services” in their transport strategies. 

Citing research published by CPT about the £8.3 billion spent annually by coach passengers in tourist hotspots, the Government has instructed authorities to: 

  • Consider the current and potential demand for coaches in their areas 
  • Work with highway authorities to set a vision, policies and plans for coach provision 
  • Spell out how they will provide appropriate parking, pick-up and drop-off points for coaches 
  • Allow coaches access to bus lanes except in circumstances where this may slow down local buses 
  • Explore ways to ‘pump prime’ funding for new, or more frequent, scheduled coach services 

Local authorities have also been encouraged by the Government to consider seeking recognition from the CPT’s ‘coach friendly’ scheme which accredits destinations showing a commitment to coach travel. 

The guidance has been published alongside the Department for Transport’s “Better Connected” transport strategy, which sets out steps to improve integration between buses, coaches, trains and trams. 

Among the initiatives in the strategy are new powers for local leaders to create ‘tap and go’ travel, building on the work that the industry has been doing with the West Midlands Combined Authority to develop the technology needed to make this a reality nationwide, a tie-up with Google Maps to help customers to track when their bus will arrive and the creation of a so-called ‘Mini Switzerland’ pilot to enhance local transport in the Peak District. 

The transport strategy notes: “Coaches can be particularly overlooked in transport planning yet provide essential links between many towns, cities, airports and other destinations”. Citing KPMG research for CPT, the national strategy adds that a single 49-seat coach a day visiting a town can bring £1 million a year into a local economy. 

Alison Edwards, Director of Policy and External Relations at CPT, said: 

“This is a game changer for the coach industry. From today, every local authority in England will need to think strategically about coach travel. It’s an endorsement from the Government of coaches as the hidden backbone of the public transport network. 

“In practical terms, this will mean that every town and district needs a plan for adequate facilities – including parking, pick-up and drop-off points suitable for coach passengers and drivers alike. Better still, it means that local authorities will be encouraged to look at ways to help operators expand and improve coach links. CPT stands ready to help with this. 

“This is something CPT has led the coach industry in pushing for, and it’s great to see that work translate into national policy. 

“More broadly, it’s encouraging to see both buses and coaches at the heart of the Government’s joined up transport strategy. Initiatives in the Department for Transport’s plan will help passengers to see how long they need to wait, to pay for their journeys conveniently and to swap seamlessly between modes of transport.”