Peninsula Transport Sub-national Transport Body (STB) is proud to launch its Online Coach Forum; a new platform to bring together partners, operators, and stakeholders from across the South West to shape the future of coach travel in the region. The forum, launched on Tuesday 13th May 2025 during National Coach Week, invites everyone with a stake in coach services to join the conversation and help deliver real regional progress.
To mark the forum launch, a Virtual Welcome Session will be held during early June to:
- Introduce the forum and its aims
- Hear from participants about their priorities and expectations
- Answer submitted questions and explore ideas for future content
This session will be recorded and shared for those unable to attend live. Attendees can express interest in joining when they register.
Registration is free and is now open here.
Cllr Mark Coker, Peninsula Transport Chair commented:
“We’re excited to create a space for strategic collaboration on coach travel. This forum is about giving the region a stronger voice and ensuring coach remains a key part of our transport future. It complements the Western Gateway STB in person Coach Forums.”
Phil Smith, UK Coach Manager for Confederation of Passenger Transport who represent many of the UK’s coach companies, welcomes this development from Peninsula Transport:
“The South West of England is a key destination for coach tourism and our members are pleased that the region recognises the role coaches play in ensuring visits can be made sustainably, which helps air quality and alleviates pressure on the road network”.
The newly adopted Coach Action Plan from Peninsula Transport – the first of its kind for the region – outlines a shared vision for ensuring coach services remain accessible, reliable, and valued for long-distance travel.
Read the full Coach Action Plan here.
Following the plan’s adoption, Peninsula Transport has begun delivering a set of early actions to build momentum:
- Launch the Regional Coach Forum
- Create an Information Portal for Operators
- Increase CPT-accredited ‘Coach Friendly’ towns in the region
- Conduct an Accessibility Gap Analysis of the Coach Network
More updates will be shared through forum sessions and upcoming communications.
The Coach Action Plan has also been highlighted in industry publication RouteOne magazine: Giving Coach a Strong Voice in the South West