• The creaking transport industry in what used to be
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East Germany is fast being assimilated into what was previously West Germany. Already 7,000 extra permits have been allocated to UK operators, and the East is now accepted as part of Germany as far as customers for freight are concerned, so EC transit forms have replaced the old TIR regulations.
As reported in last week's CM (11-17 October), most East German hauliers and bus operators have until 1994 to fall into line with most EC legislation on tachographs and operator licensing (those who entered the industry after 1988 will probably have to conform by 1992).
• Subsidising public transport may be out of political favour in the UK, but in Germany, it is still seen as the necessary price for a cleaner environment and a better quality of life. Germany's 1991 budget proposals include £2.13bn for public transport infrastructure and equipment up to 1994. This includes grants of £34.4m to buy artic, midi and low-floor buses.