Belle Vue joins Guild of British Coach Operators

Stockport based Belle Vue Manchester has achieved membership of the Guild of British Coach Operators, following an independent audit of its operations.

Membership of the Guild of British Coach Operators is only open to companies which attain a 100 per cent rating in the organisation’s inspection, carried out by the independent firm Lloyd Morgan Group. The audit covers quality standards of customer service, including punctuality and having 24-hour emergency back-up, as well as areas such as employee training and development, fleet safety and maintenance, road risk and safety management, regulatory compliance and financial stability.

As a result of its exacting standards, Belle Vue Manchester has become one just twenty coach operators nationwide to hold membership of the Guild.

Phil Hitchen, managing director of Belle Vue, said gaining membership of the guild at the first time of asking was a feather in the cap for the company. He commented:

“It’s a prestigious organisation to join, but we don’t see it as a glorified badge. We have good systems and processes across the business, and we are committed to providing the highest quality of service to our passengers and the best possible environment in which our team can develop their skills and careers.

“Joining the guild will enable us to share best practice with our industry peers and continue to elevate our standards and those of other leading operators.”

The guild’s members share a quality ethos and meet regularly to provide mutual advice and guidance, including specialist groups for training, engineering, and operations.  

Anthony Winson, chairman of the Guild of British Coach Operators said:

“We are delighted to welcome Belle Vue to Guild membership, having passed our audit process with flying colours.

“As a hugely-respected operator, we are confident Phil Hitchen and the Belle Vue team will have much to gain from joining, as will we from their undoubted reputation and expertise within the coach industry.”  

The Belle Vue fleet carries two million passengers a year across the UK and Europe, serving the education and corporate sectors, private hire and touring groups, as well as express inter-city services through a partnership with FlixBus.

Pictured: Belle Vue Manchester MD, Phil Hitchen (right) with Anthony Winson (left), chairman of the Guild of British Coach Operators.