The RHA has welcomed provisional new rule changes by the European Commission to drivers’ hours which will offer more operational flexibility for coach operators on trips in the EU. The changes for coach drivers on European tours have been agreed by the European Parliament, and as well as increased flexibility also help to better address the difference in needs between coach and goods vehicle operations.
The changes will allow coach drivers to split their 45 minute breaks into two breaks, each of which must be at least 15 minutes, postpone their daily rest period by one hour once per trip, provided that the total accumulated driving time for that day has not exceeded seven hours, and drive longer national tours of up to 12 days, something which was previously only possible when carrying out international trips.
In addition, the existing Journey Form Authorisations (Waybills) are set to be replaced by a new digital form, following a study by the European Commission.
RHA Operations Manager for the Coach Sector Andy Warrender welcomed the move and called on the UK Government to adopt the changes in the UK. “This is a long-awaited announcement which will be a welcome boost for coach drivers and operators doing tourism work abroad,” he said. “These changes will offer drivers more choices on taking their rest times, and operators more operational flexibility when they’re planning jobs.
“We’re calling on the UK Government to implement similar improvements and review the current driving and working hours arrangements applicable to journeys wholly within the UK.”
He added that the changes in the EU – which are still to be ratified – will better reflect the operational differences between freight and coaches, and that the announcement that the Journey Form Authorisations are to be digitalised offers the opportunity for a more streamlined system. “We hope that the Interbus arrangements will also follow this path,” he said.
The RHA will be running its third annual National Coach Week from 8 to 12 April this year, aiming to promote the very best of the industry with its members and other stakeholders.
