Coach services could be cut due to record diesel prices, UK operators warn

UK coach companies say record diesel costs could force service reductions, including school routes, while freight operators warn rising fuel expenses have already driven hundreds of transport firms out of business.

Alison Edwards, director of policy at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said fuel expenses this year had become unmanageable and strained narrow profit margins. She called for prompt government action to protect services and company survival.

Operators point out that local bus firms in England receive subsidies toward running costs, while coach firms performing comparable work get no similar help. Hauliers report paying an extra £350 weekly for each lorry compared with before the Iran war, with fixed customer deals making it hard to pass on increases.

Rhys Hackling, managing director of Direct Connect Logistics, described the effect on his own company as "absolutely enormous" and warned that continued pressure could close many freight businesses.

G7 leaders said on Friday they would release up to 100m barrels from emergency diesel and crude reserves, raising hopes of price relief. The move appears to have eased fears of further UK increases, as Britain sources about a third of diesel imports from the US and lacks sufficient domestic refining capacity.