Coaches under 'suspicion'
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Allegations that a major European coach tour company could be infringing the EEC's social laws on driving hours and rest periods have been made to the EEC Commission in Brussels by German EuroMP Horst Seefeld.
He has submitted a written question accompanied by documents which, he says, "create the strong suspicion" that the tour company Cosmos-Tourama and many EEC companies under contract to it are breaking the rules because of Inadequate checks by the national authorities.
Seefeld asked which agencies are entitled to see the completed control books kept by road haulage and passenger transport companies.
And he urged the EEC to ensure that the national authorities crack down when they receive information about suspected serious violations by individual companies.
In reply the EEC says it is asking the authorities in Switzerland — -where CosmosTourama has offices — to investigate Seefeld's allegations.
An EEC official says that copies of the documents, which are "rather confusing", have also been forwarded to Switzerland. The complaint is the first the EEC Commission has received against a tour operator this summer.
Fabio Mantegazza, the director of Cosmos coach tours based in London, said he was surprised to hear of the allegations when CM spoke to him. He said our call was the first indication he had heard of them.
He explained that CosmosTourama does not own any coaches itself. It contracts in from operators in a number of West European countries, including Britain.
However, he said, "In planning of itineraries and tours we always make sure that regulations that apply are adhered to". Contractors are checked both by Cosmos-Tourama and their national authorities.
He continued "With our customers' safety in mind, we don't allow any risks with the driver's hours rules", although he said he could not be more specific until he knew what the exact allegations were.