While welcoming the vote held on January 22 by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) on the proposed revision of Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009 amending access rules to the international market for coach and bus services, IRU calls for further action to address the remaining competition concerns.
Following today’s vote, IRU is particularly pleased to note that the proposed regulation covers coach tourism, including the fact that closed-door international coach tours should not be affected by cabotage rules.
As for IRU’s concerns regarding competition, Matthias Maedge, leading IRU’s activities in the EU, comments: “The TRAN vote generally responds to IRU’s call to strike a balance between domestic markets with limited offer of regular passenger transport and the protection of public service obligations. IRU regrets, however, that some provisions would still excessively prevent commercial initiative to the detriment of EU citizens. New regular lines should be authorised to compete when competition with public services is minimal.”
IRU therefore urges the European Parliament’s plenary to take all necessary steps to reach a compromise, and to seize the opportunity to improve competitive balance. Increasing the role of collective passenger transport options in Europe is a key driver to promote sustainable mobility.
