Industry News


On this page you will find transport and tourism news articles, press releases and professional body organisation details.
Staying up to date with industry initiatives and news is an important part of working in tranport and tourism as it allows you to gain a holistic perspective of the challenges facing the intustry. However, it also brings together a diverse range of insights to develop solutions and strategies for the issues we face. Voel Coaches hope that this page will be of use to people already working in the industry or considering starting a career in travel and tourism.

  • 24th April 2024- 20mph Overall across Wales
    Welsh MInsiter for North Wales and Transport makes first major speach about issues affecting the road netwrok across Wales with the 20mph 'overhaul' to begin in September this year.

  • 5th March 2024- Changes to Welsh bus services
    CPT reaction to the proposal to franchise the Welsh bus services for better or worse.

  • 28th December- Celebrating Voel Coaches 75th Anniversary
    Route One magazine editor Tim Deakin is covering the 75th Anniversary events throughout 2024. Watch this space for more updates.

  • 27th November 2023- TfW Rail staff to drive rail replacement?!
    Rollout of bus franchising in Wales could see Transport for Wales (TfW) railway staff in “more rural areas” driving rail replacement road services, Chief Executive James Price has claimed.

  • Article by RouteOne magazine
  • 14th December- Call for more HGV and PSV mechanics!
    The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has called for heavy vehicle technicians to be added to the Home Office’s Shortage Occupation List.

  • 27th November 2023- TfW Rail staff to drive rail replacement?!
    Rollout of bus franchising in Wales could see Transport for Wales (TfW) railway staff in “more rural areas” driving rail replacement road services, Chief Executive James Price has claimed.

  • 3rd November 2023- Reaction to Y Ffordd Gymraeg (The Welsh Way)
    A new report by the Welsh Government highlights that an extra 40m bu journeys a year are possible in Wales. There are benefits to service users across Wales and opportunity for operators too.

  • 19th June 2023- Staff retention is key (opinion article)
    An opinion piece from a Director of a coach operator about the challenges and possible solutons to keeping staff in the industry.

  • 6th March 2023- JCB: Building a greener future
    Some information from JCB's latest developments and articles relating to the development of Hydrogen power in large vehicles.

  • 3rd December 2022- CPT:The route to NET Zero
    The CPT has commissioned WPI Economics to analyse the role that switching car journeys to bus and coach journeys (”modal shift") may have in achieving the country’s Net Zero emissions goal.Click here to read the artricle. Or download the full report by clicking on the link below.

  • 2nd Decemeber 2022- Primary school teacher turned coach driver
    Former primary school teacher Sam Garrard has swapped books for buses to teach Oxford’s newest bus driving recruits how to drive public transport. Read more here

  • 25th November 2022- BBC News report for the Thank You Driver Campaign

    Here are some comments from travellers with Woods travel on their facebook page.

  • 18th October 2022- Coach and bus drivers are the most thanked profession in the UK!
    Every day, over four million people use the bus and coach. Buses and coaches play a vital role in keeping local communities connected with friends, family, education, tourism, work and leisure opportunities as well as essential services. Read more from the CPT here.