Public info on new regs costs
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titiACH operators may now send out Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport circulars to customers, explaining the effects of proposed new drivers' hours regulations.
Intended for distribution with private hire bookings and quotations, the leaflets ask customers to bear in mind the likely effects of EEC regulation 543/69, which will reduce the length of a driving day.
It says: "For many years Britain has had sensible laws controlling the hours of work of coach drivers; now these laws are being altered to bring us into line with regulations which apply in other EEC countries.
"Your coach operator will continue to provide you with a high quality service — but the revised regulations are going to add to his costs of operation (which will mean increases in his prices).
"It may even be that on some occasions he will be unable to operate your outing in the exact way you would choose because the new regulations are so complex and restrictive."
The CPT circular goes on to warn potential customers that any excursion must take account of forthcoming legal demands for starting and finishing times and for breaks.
More drivers
It also explains why the phasing-in of 543/69 is bound to increase operating costs: "More drivers will be needed to do the same amount of work."
The leaflet concludes by saying: "The coach industry has fought these unnecessary regulations for 10 years (and has gained some concessions), but, unless we can get realistic changes, we are going to have to work within them.
"We are sure you will understand your coach company's difficulties."
CPT members may order batches of 100 of the leaflets from its headquarters at Sardinia House, 52 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LZ.