COACH OPERATORS are being warned that failure to comply with
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the new voluntary code of conduct on coach speeds drawn up by the Bus and Coach Council in collaboration with Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley could result in the revocation or reduction of an operator's licence.
Details of the code are being sent to all coach operators, whether BCC members or not, by the BCC, Traffic Commissioners' chairmen or the Department of Transport to ensure everyone is aware of its existence.
The code covers the use of all buses and coaches on motorways and derestricted dual carriageways, on any type of operation except when the vehicle is not capable of exceeding the relevent speed limit, or is used only on regular stage or express services covering less than 10 continuous miles on such roads.
It requires all coaches subject to the code to be fitted with calibrated and sealed tachographs which comply with two-yearly calibration checks and six yearly recalibration requirements. Where vehicles are in use without tachographs orders for their fitting should be placed by May 31.
If an unforeseen circumstance makes the use of a vehicle without a tachograph on such a service unavoidable the code requires a specific record to be kept of each instance and the reason it occurred.
All operators are instructed to monitor tachograph discs to check compliance with driving hours and the 60 and 70mph speed limits.
Where breaches of the limits are disclosed, the 0-licence holder is responsible to ensure that appropriate action aimed at preventing further infringements is taken promptly.
Operators are required to consider and allow for likely congestion when scheduling coaches for operation on derestricted roads and to stress to drivers that where it proves impossible to meet the schedule, speed limits must still be adhered to. All drivers, including parttimers, must be kept fully aware of the requirements.
The holder of the 0-licence should ensure that all drivers are aware of the provisions of the Highway Code and that all staff involved in scheduling all types of job including private hires are trained to monitor charts.
The Traffic Commissioners will use their powers under Section 14(b) of the 1981 Public Passenger Vehicles Act to take action against operators not complying with the Code. This section requires operators to have adequate arrangements for securing compliance with the requirements of the law relating to driving and the operation of vehicles.