UITP Corona Virus Factsheet

An International perspective - at the present time, COVID-19 is top of everybody’s agenda uniting Government, public and private sectors in searching for ways to reduce the impact of the spread of the virus in the UK on the public, employees, customers and businesses. This factsheet from UITP (the International Union of Public Transport) has been compiled taking account of experience in countries such as France, Italy and Spain, which have had experience of these issues ahead of the UK.  It is gratifying that the recommended actions are in line with those that UK bus and coach operators are adopting.

An opportunity from adversity

Throughout the UK there has been a marked reduction in road traffic as a result of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. This gives an opportunity to check on the real costs of congestion as in most places we now see virtually free flow conditions on the road network. It’s recommended that Busmark members use GPS tracking data or simple point to point timing surveys to estimate the Peak Vehicle Requirements (PVR) to maintain their registered services under current “free flow” conditions. The reduction in PVR is one part of the cost to the operator of congestion, to this can be added estimates of fuel and overtime savings.  When normal conditions return, it will be very helpful if operators can produce these cost savings to argue, in line with new Government policy to assist operators and local authorities to increase bus use to achieve better air quality, reduce carbon emissions to mitigate climate change and overcome the economic and social costs of congestion.

Busmark Meeting, 12th May - Postponed

Due to the challenges we face from COVID-19, the next Busmark meeting (12th May at MiX Telematics, Birmingham), has been postponed. Once we can return to a ‘business as usual’ footing, we will arrange a new meeting date.