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03 March 2009 The “12 days” must remain practicable The IRU calls upon EU Member States to stop adding further conditions to the future 12-day derogation for international coach tourism and urges them to consider a 12-day derogation that permits more than one service.
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25 February 2009 The abolition of the 12-day rule in 2007 had been a huge mistake The inbound tourism industry is waiting with bated breath the re-introduction of the 12-day derogation. Failure to act will further exacerbate Europe’s declining share of world tourism.
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10 February 2009 The IRU urges the European Parliament and Council to adopt a 12-day derogation for international coach tourism that permits more than one service.
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16 January 2009 Travel industry groups representing European tour operators, travel agents and coach operators urge EU institutions to reintroduce the 12-day driving derogation on the basis of the amendments voted by EU Parliament.
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6 June 2008 The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) calls on the Council of Transport Ministers to support unanimously the European Parliament’s vote on the introduction of the 12-day derogation, to ensure that new legislation comes into force in time for the 2009 holiday season. Read… Read ...
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21 May 2008 The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) who are the officially recognised Social Partners for the EU road transport sector, jointly call upon the European Union institutions to implement an urgent solution to introduce a ’12-day’ driving derogation to EU Driving and Rest Time Rules (before 1 January 2009 at the latest). Read more...
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11 Avril 2008 The Belgian Secretary of State for Mobility, Etienne Schouppe, supports the reinstatement of the 12-day rule On the occasion of the 22nd Spring Event organised by the Belgian Federation of Bus and Coach Operators (FBAA), the Belgian Secretary of State for Mobility, Etienne Schouppe, said, “The reinstatement of the 12-day derogation is the top priority on the political agenda of EU Transport Ministers. The general trend is in favour of the reinstatement of the derogation, but it is Commissioner Barrot’s responsibility to pave the way to achieve this objective. Let’s hope that the case will have progressed by the next EU Transport Council in June.” |
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11 Avril 2008 IRU and ETF agree to work on the 12-day derogation in coach tourism The ETF and the IRU will provide joint input to the EU Institutions during their ongoing political process to solve the 12 day issue. Read the Press Release... |
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01 April 2008 Victory, but don’t get over excited RouteOne interview of Graham Smith (IRU Vice President and President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council) & Umberto de Pretto (IRU Deputy Secretary General) Read… |
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26 March 2008 12-days derogation for European coach tourism crosses first hurdle In a landmark vote, the European Parliament’s Committee onTransport and Tourism (TRAN) today voted by a large majority to start the legislative process of bringing back the 12-day driving derogation for international coach tourism in the European Union. |
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20 March 2008 EU Travel agents and tour operators call for the reinstatement of the 12-day derogation for coach tourism ECTAA, the Group of National Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations within the EU, demands that EU institutions, and particularly the Council of Transport Ministers, reinstate the 12-day driving derogation for coach tourism, to help coach industry “to survive and continue offering affordable, safe and environmentally friendly tourism services.” Read… |
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17 March 2008 UFTAA requests the urgent reinstatement of the 12-day driving derogation in European coach tourism.. The United Federation of Travel Agents’ Association (UFTAA) joined the constantly growing number of travel and tourism stakeholders, asking for an urgent reinstatement of the 12-day continuous driving derogation in European coach tourism.”. Read… |
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13 March 2008 Removal of 12 continuous driving days results in a 34% drop in long distance coach trips in Sweden. The Swedish Bus and Coach Federation (BR) has just published a study according to which coach trips and tours lasting between six to eight overnight stays have dramatically decreased between 2006 and 2007. The study shows that the decrease may be the result of the removal, in April 2007, of the 12-day driving derogation for EU coach tourism. This dramatic drop has taken place in the context of a substantial increase in practically all other segments of the Swedish coach tourism market. Read… |
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12 March 2008 IFTO supports the IRU’s campaign to reintroduce the 12 day driving period for EU coach tourism and calls its loss “a retrograde step”. In a letter to the European Institutions, the International Federation of Tour Operators (IFTO) outlines the far-reaching consequences resulting from the sector’s loss of the 12 day driving derogation. These include significant cost increases for tour operators who are forced to pass these increases on to consumers, and a negative impact on working conditions, highlighted by the fact that “…drivers themselves do not generally welcome the changes.” Read… |
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05 March 2008 Trade unions and employers in Romania call on EU Institutions to reinstate the 12-Day derogation in EU coach transport The National Union of Road Hauliers from Romania (UNTRR) and the National Federation of Drivers’ Trade Unions from Romania (FNSSR) signed a joint statement urging the EU Commission, Parliament and Council of Transport Ministers to amend, as soon as possible, the EU Regulation 561/2006/EC in order to reinstate the 12-day driving derogation. Read… |
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28 February 2008 IATM supports reinstatement of 12 Day Rule IATM has issued a statement in support of the International Road Transport Union's (IRU) call for the reinstatement of the 12 Day Rule for coach drivers. Read… |
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13 February 2008 The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) calls for the reinstatement of the 12-day derogation for international coach tourism in the EU. According to Tom Jenkins, ETOA Executive Director, “The EU legislation has made a perfectly safe mode of transport less attractive. This affects drivers, employers and consumers alike” Reinstate the Twelve Day Rule, 13 February 2008. Read… |