EEC bus hours attacked
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THE introduction of EEC drivers hours would cost British bus and coach operators £150m and cause a reduction in services.
That is what the European Conference of British Bus and Coach Operators (ECBO) has told the Department of Transport in a strongly worded memorandum.
"When the predicted decline in the industry occurs, there will be no doubt in the minds of all concerned that the responsibility for this deplorable situation must rest with the European regulations."
After examining EEC regulations, ECBO stated that because the pattern of operation in Britain was completely different from the rest of Europe the regulations just could not be imposed.
Increases of labour costs to meet EEC regulations would range from 20 per cent to 50 per cent according to the type of operation says ECBO.
Even though regular services with routes not exceeding 50km are excluded from the EEC regulations, most bus drivers would in any one week work on some routes that are included in the regulations and some that are excluded.
Taken as a whole this would mean that every week would have to be worked according to the regulations.
"It is such bad laws which will damage the EEC, bringing it into disrepute, rather than honest criticism of such bureaucratic controls," says ECBO.
British operators would be hit particularly hard by the EEC week which runs from 00.01 Sunday to 24.00 Saturday. This would mean that any duties running past midnight would count in the hours for the next week.
The day excursion operator would also be hard hit by EEC laws. "After allowing for travelling time from depot to pick up point or points, the distance is probably restricted to that which can be covered in 31/2 hours (single journey) driving time."