Weston-super-Mare MP visits Bakers Dolphin
Regional coach firm, Bakers Dolphin welcomed Dan Aldridge MP for Weston-super-Mare to its headquarters to discuss challenges facing the coach industry.
It follows a debate earlier this month in Westminster Hall on the coach sector, which supports 81,000 jobs across Britain making 450 million passenger journeys a year and contributing £8.3 Billion annually to the economy through tourism, shopping and leisure.
Bakers Dolphin Managing Director Max Fletcher showed the MP how the coach operator works every day to provide school transport, holidays and excursions and coach transport for private events in the area.
Dan Aldridge also heard how rising fuel prices, the transition to zero-emission vehicles, driver shortages and coach parking need sensitive handling from central government.
Dan Aldridge said: “My number one priority is supporting businesses in Weston, Worle and the villages. It was great to speak to Bakers Dolphin Coach Travel, meet the team and learn about their long history. I work hard to support businesses in our town, but I can’t do that without first listening and understanding their concerns and successes. I’m so glad I could sit down and do that with this vital Weston business.’
Max Fletcher said: “It was great to meet Dan Aldridge and explain to him the very real issues that we have on a day-to-day basis.
“Coach Operators are often referred to as the glue that binds local communities together. We are there every day to support school transport and often called in when there is a problem on the railways to help get passengers to their destination. The recent Westminster Hall debate, saw representations made in support of regional coach operators, many of whom are burdened by significant cost increases that are difficult to be passed on to clients.”
Bakers Dolphin, Sales and Marketing Director Amanda Harrington said: “As well as being a major employer in Weston-super-Mare we provide thousands of local people with holidays and leisure activities as well as transport for schools, colleges, sports clubs, community groups and others.
“Decisions made in Westminster affect us all and it was good to show our MP what the coach industry is doing in his constituency.”
