School bus route being referred to as a 'Coach' route

Martin2012 said:

Have noticed that some school/college bus routes are referred to as being "Coach" routes. Either by the educational establishment or by the operator.However in reality the operator has buses in use on its school services. However in other instances such routes are referred to as being "bus" routes even when a coach is the most common form of vehicle on them.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to why there might be a preference for refering to a route as being a 'coach' route rather than a 'bus' route? Is it more of a marketing tactic or is it done in cases where such a route would typically be worked by a coach?

The route I used to travel to college on was referred to as being a 'coach' route although in reality the operator working the service regularly used buses. The same operator also ran routes to other schools which were referred to as being 'coach' routes although in reality buses were commonly used.

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• introduced since 31 December 2000
• with a capacity exceeding 22 passengers
• used to provide a local or scheduled service

Tim33160 said:

The Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) applies to all new public service vehicles (buses or coaches):

• introduced since 31 December 2000
• with a capacity exceeding 22 passengers
• used to provide a local or scheduled service

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ervice-vehicle-accessibility-regulations-2000

PSVAR only applies to new public service vehicles with a carrying capacity of more than 22 passengers that are used on local or scheduled services and have been introduced into service since 31 December 2000. Proposals for access to other services and for small vehicles (with 22 passengers or fewer) will be subject to further consideration and consultation.

Hence the use of older coaches and buses for school transport - which tend not to be local or scheduled services open to the public

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Murray J said:

all the users of the buses at my secondary have bus passes paid for by the council, avoiding PSVAR. anyway again most school bus services at my secondary are operated by metrobus, so wheelchair access, destination boards etc already exist. the only exception is the coach service which seems to be usually operated by a plaxton premiere with a personalised plate, so probably at least 25 years old. think it's similiar in other schools in the county as well.

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Busaholic said:

Growing up in London and interested in all forms of public transport I understood from an early age that the Underground comprised both tube trains and sub-surface stock which, apart from any other consideration, wouldn't fit into a tube tunnel. Now, however, the word Tube is used in many quarters to denote any Underground train, and is even used inappropriately by some who should know better e.g. spokespersons for TfL. Similarly, the words bus and coach have become virtually interchangeable in news media circles, especially in 'breaking news' stories. When I've been in France in the past in rural places I've noticed the French also seem to have a problem with differentiation, many bus routes mainly being at times to benefit schoolchildren, but operated sometimes by what we would consider to be coaches. The operators, too, sometimes have Autobus in their titles but words like Car appear to, reminiscent of when companies like Lincolnshire and East Kent used Road Car as part of their monikers.

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TheGrandWazoo said:

Not to mention United Automobile Services.

It's just a turn of phrase/display of ignorance by people who are probably not that bothered by the distinction and, I have to say, can't say I'm that bothered myself.

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carlberry said:

You sound like the kind of scoundrel that would put the cream on a scone first in Cornwall! (Or is it Devon that does that and Cornwall that does the opposite, I can never remember).

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Busaholic said:

Cornwall = JAM first, followed by as much clotted cream as you can manage without it toppling! Personally, I prefer a good cheese scone, preferably without cream.

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carlberry said:

You sound like the kind of scoundrel that would put the cream on a scone first in Cornwall! (Or is it Devon that does that and Cornwall that does the opposite, I can never remember).

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