ALAN MILLAR reports on the highlights of the UK’s biggest bus and coach exhibition, where new products and technology were displayed against a background of great economic uncertainty
More than ever, this year’s Euro Bus Expo — the bus and coach industry’s three-day showcase at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre — occurred against a background of uncertainty and declining orders for new vehicles.
Uncertainty takes many forms. What lasting impact will Brexit have on UK manufacturing and the wider economy? What regulatory measures will city mayors and the devolved nations bring to bear upon bus operation?
How will the pains of rail franchising impact on the road transport operations of the groups with feet in both modal camps? And just which technology will win out in the race to deliver zero or ultra-low emissions?
There is no obvious answer to this last question, but once again this two-yearly exhibition was an opportunity to show how manufacturers’ research and development budgets are being invested in cutting edge products that address politicians’ — and the public’s — concerns about air quality.
The main players this year were there once again with battery electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell…
