Coach operators in the United Kingdom are warning that soaring diesel prices are driving many businesses to the brink of collapse and may lead to cuts in essential services, including school transport. The average price of diesel at UK petrol stations recently surpassed £2 per litre, reaching record highs amid ongoing disruptions to global fuel supplies linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Alison Edwards, director of policy at the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), emphasized that fuel costs have surged to levels that are no longer sustainable. She noted that this increase is placing extreme pressure on coach operators, many of whom operate on narrow profit margins. Edwards highlighted that around 85% of independent coach businesses in the UK are family-run enterprises. She called on the government for urgent intervention, specifically temporary financial support to help cover rising diesel expenses.
“If no action is taken, operators will be forced to make difficult decisions regarding the availability of services, including home-to-school transport, and the overall viability of their businesses,” Edwards said.
While local bus operators in England have received subsidies aimed at offsetting fuel expenses, coach companies have not been provided with similar assistance. This disparity has raised concerns within the industry about the unequal treatment of various transport sectors.
The haulage industry is facing comparable challenges as fuel costs continue to rise. Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association, described the pressure on his sector, which functions on slim profit margins typically around 2%. Smith stated that the cost increases are substantial, estimating that hauliers now face an additional £350 weekly expense per truck compared to the period before the escalation of the Iran-related geopolitical tensions.
Both coach and haulage sectors warn that sustained high fuel prices could have broad economic consequences, affecting the delivery of goods and services across the country. Operators urge government measures to mitigate the impact as the conflict in the Middle East continues to affect global oil markets.