Busmen form European pressure group
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by CM reporter
• The four British operator associations in the bus and coach industry have this week formed the European Conference of British Bus and Coach Operators (EBCO) to speak with one voice in Europe. Its first task will be to challenge EEC practices and proposals on the social regulations front.
At an inaugural meeting on Tuesday, Mr George Carruthers, group executive, public relations, National Bus Company, was elected president of EBCO. The director of the PVOA (whose initiative led to the formation of the new organization), Mr Denis Quin, has been appointed director-general — but will retain his PVOA post. The PVOA offices at 12 Emerald Street, London WC1N 3QE, will house the EBCO secretariat.
Vice-president of EBCO is Mr Ian Buttress of the SELNEC PTE, who represents APPTO on the new Conference. In addition to APPTO and PVOA, constituent associations are the Public Road Transport Association and the Scottish Road Passenger Transport Association.
EBCO will unite all sectors of the industry in dealing with European legislation, conventions and so on, not only in the EEC but in the Economic Commission for Europe, the European Conference of Ministers of Transport and the International Labour Office. It has been accepted in principle as a member of the IRU.
As well as attempting to alleviate the effect of existing EEC rules on working and driving hours due to take effect in the UK in 1976, EBCO will be working to have the EEC Commission's "Second Social Regulation" proposals abandoned. These include a maximum daily spreadover of 12 hours, a 60-hour working week limit and compulsory four weeks' paid annual holiday.
Other proposals to come under EBCO attack will be the EEC draft for minimum driver training standards.