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November 09, 2006
IRU denounces damage caused by end of the 12 day driving time rule
The IRU denounces the operational and economic damage caused by the deletion of the 12 day rule from the EU Driving and Rest Time Rules Regulation
Geneva – The IRU Passenger Transport Council (CTP) decided to take concerted action following the results of an IRU enquiry revealing the damage done to European coach tourism by the adoption of the new EU Driving and Rest Time Rules Regulation (561/2006:EC). The survey of IRU members focused specifically on the loss of the 12 day rule which previously allowed operators engaged in occasional international passenger transport to drive for up to 12 consecutive days before taking a weekly rest. Drivers will now only be able to drive for six consecutive days when the new rules enter into force on the 11 April 2007.
The principal group of transport companies to be affected by the change will be those conducting coach tourism in Europe. However, the change will also affect other groups active in occasional international journeys, such as operators providing similar services to schools, other transport workers and even the military in some countries.
Mr Francesco Pacifico, President of the CTP said ‘‘the findings of this survey confirm our worst fears and those of our operators; this change will devastate an entire industry sector which is relied on by tourists and other groups of citizens for both business and pleasure alike’’.
Coach operators engaged in this sector will see their costs rise by up to 15% and in absolute terms costs per trip will increase by between EUR 400 and EUR 800. Extra costs will stem from the need to deploy a second company driver to take over journeys lasting more than six days or from hiring local drivers whose availability, costs and skills will vary depending on the season, country and type of service required. The enquiry found that a radical reorganisation of services and extra company planning will be needed to optimise limited driving time which will inevitably raise costs still further. It is especially worrying for an industry which survives on very low profit margins. Moreover, the coach tourism market is characterized by small and micro sized companies operating on average 2 to 10 vehicles. The inquiry showed that it is far from clear what operational solutions if any can be found to help these companies adapt. It is certain that if the 12 day rule is not restored hundreds of these enterprises will face bankruptcy.
Furthermore, the survey shows that far from benefiting drivers the new rules will disrupt their working lives, forcing them to spend more time off away from home and have an equally negative impact on salaries.
Coach tourism provides an important source of income to European tourist destinations and the CTP is committed to launch a new in depth study to identify the full impact not just on tourist destinations but on the wider economy as well. This will form the basis for concrete economic and social arguments demonstrating the absolute need to restore the 12 day rule. However, as concluded by the President of CTP ‘’we cannot wait for this study but must act now to find workable solutions before the new rules enter into force. In parallel we must immediately launch a range of initiatives and political actions to reverse what for passenger transport is the single most negative outcome of the new EU Driving and Rest Time Rules Regulation’’.
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