PUBLIC ASKED TO 'HONK FOR HOPE' AS COACH DRIVERS CONVERGE ON MEDIACITYUK TO HIGHLIGHT THE PLIGHT OF THEIR BUSINESS

An estimated 45 empty coaches took a tour around Salford Quays and MediaCityUK this morning as part of their convoy to raise awareness of the plight of their industry caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Drivers from all around the North have come together to take part in the action which encourages vehicle drivers to honk their horns in support.

Usually the coaches would be filled with passengers but since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic in March, the industry has been crippled with many drivers facing job losses.

The drivers are angry that their sector is not receiving the support that they say they need to ride out the storm.

'Honk For Hope' aim to do 2 laps of the Quays and MediaCityUK area after meeting up along Lankro Way.

Organisers state that they want to make their point but not anger the public and lose their vital support.

In the initial days of the viral outbreak, the support was their as coaches were being used to ferry those returning to the country from airports. Since then though the drivers say that they have been more or less forgot about and left to deal with the impacts on their own.

With the usual busiest Summer period more or less now passed, the operators have taken a huge financial hit which means that many may never recover, the impact on jobs will be huge said one driver.

However, not all seemed to be happy about the event on Social media with some complaining about the noise and the traffic disruption, which is all fairness the latter was minimal.

A similar event has also taken place at the same time in Newcastle, although a planned event targeted at the midlands has seemingly failed to materialise.