The coach industry was featured on BBC Breakfast news this month as February 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the launch of long distance coach travel in the UK.
According to the BBC journalists, coach travel is more relevant today than ever before, with over 450 million coach journeys taking place every year. It seems that the popularity of coach travel is at an all-time high, with travellers citing affordability, the availability of a dedicated and comfortable seat, the easy and safe stowage of luggage and enhanced onboard technology as being the main reasons for taking a coach rather than a train to visit family and friends, go on holiday or enjoy a day trip to many interesting destinations around the country.
Royal Motorways returns to Redditch
It was back in the 1920’s when the Strain family set up Royal Motorways from their Studley Road site in Redditch, Worcestershire. Fast forward to 2025 and the Royal Motorways name still exists, even returning to its home in Redditch back in August 2023 when the newly incorporated company took occupancy of a depot on Upper Crossgate Road.
It is incredible to think that back in the 1920’s, Royal Motorways were running Luxury Tours from their Ipsley House Garage to destinations such as Portsmouth, Skegness and Merseyside – all in the days before motorways! And we are very lucky to still have available one of their tour brochures that features many of the popular Daybreak excursions – seaside resorts such as Weston-Super-Mare, and Barry Island as well as the beautiful Cotswolds, the Peak District and Wales – that are still being visited by Royal Motorways coaches today.
So how has the industry changed over the last century and what does the future look like for coach travel?
The Early Years of Coach Travel
Coach travel in the UK has evolved significantly over the past century, driven by changes in technology, infrastructure, and consumer expectations.
In the early days after World War I, coach travel was an affordable alternative to the railways, with small independent operators just like Strain’s running basic services but with slow, often repurposed military vehicles offering limited comfort. A decade later coaches were deemed luxury vehicles with enclosed bodies and padded seats. Added safety and competition regulations were introduced by the government of the day in the form of the 1930 Road Traffic Act.
The post war era of the 1950s saw a boom in coach travel, especially to seaside destinations, with more comfortable vehicles now offering reclining seats and better heating. However, the rise of the car and the expansion of the rail network slowed growth in the sector.
Deregulation in the form of the 1980 Transport Act, further changed the coach industry by allowing private firms to compete in the sector, many of whom offered lower fares and extra routes that now made coach travel a budget-friendly option for many families.
The Modern Era
It was during the 2000s that the industry modernised, with vehicles now featuring air conditioning and toilets, Wi-Fi and USB charging, as well as improved accessibility with wheelchair-friendly designs. It was also the age of high speed rail and low cost airlines so the industry found itself having to compete more than ever before for passengers.
Sustainability soon became a focus too. As with the Royal Motorways fleet, many companies adopted the Euro 6 engine - one of the cleanest on the road today - with some also trialling hybrid and electric coaches to reduced tailpipe emissions.
Looking forward to the next 100 Years of Coach Travel
As operators prepare to navigate the next 100 years, the future of the coach industry in the UK is set to be shaped by sustainability and technology.
The UK’s net-zero legislation and environmental concerns are driving many operators to investigate alternative powered vehicles such as electric and hydrogen, while advances in digital systems and AI-driven route optimisation will improve efficiency and convenience for passengers. Post-pandemic travel patterns indicate increased demand for flexible, comfortable and cost-effective transport options, positioning coaches as a viable alternative to rail and air travel particularly for domestic tourism and intercity travel.
However, the industry is not without its challenges as rising fuel costs, driver shortages, and infrastructure limitations continue to impact the sector and may affect future growth prospects.
Overall, the industry’s success will depend on its ability to adapt to these changes while maintaining affordability and service quality so that it can navigate its way confidently through the next 100 years.
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