Operators respond as EC and CPT make proposals that include extending 12-day rule to domestic tours. 

Momentum is gathering on drivers’ hours reform, with the International Road Transport Union last month reacting to recent European Commission (EC) proposals, and the Confederation for Passenger Transport (CPT) in recent weeks feeding back its ideas to the Department for Transport (DfT).

EC plans, which concern coach tourism work only, include an increase in flexibility over how the 45-minute break from driving can be split. Daily rest periods could also be delayed in certain situations by up to two hours, under the proposals.

They would also see drivers who do not cross a border allowed the same 12-day rule postponement of a weekly rest period currently available to those on an international tour. It is not known whether EC changes will be adopted in the UK, although it is possible that UK drivers would be able to utilise them when in the EU.

Meanwhile, after a Working Group meeting in June, CPT has urged DfT to give “serious consideration” to five key proposals concerning a change to domestic regulations covering coach and bus. Among them also is the extension of the 12-day rule to domestic operations.

Secondly, the abolition of keeping records for periods when no in-scope work has been undertaken for longer than six days has been proposed. If the government will not agree to that then provision to allow record-keeping via an app should be considered, CPT says.

The proposals would also mean, if accepted, that services defined as entirely local should fall under existing UK driving hours rules, thus removing the tachograph requirement that operators have

previously circumvented by splitting services into routes of less than 50km. The fifth point would see drivers mainly engaged in operations where EU driver hours apply being allowed to opt out of EU Working Time Directive.

Changes should be subtle

Ian Luckett, former director of Lucketts Travel Group, was present at the Working Group meeting, which was also attended by representatives from coach operators. He believes the existing UK rules are largely satisfactory.

“These proposed changes are not revolutionary but evolutionary. If we change it too much, it’s just too much upheaval and I don’t know that the industry would get any benefit from it. We’ve got used to drivers’ hours as they are, everyone understands them and is aware of them.”

He would be particularly keen to ensure safety isn’t compromised by larger-scale changes. “Having been an operator and having done the job itself I, like many people, would struggle to drive for more than four hours in one go,” he says. “It’s a long time to be sitting behind a wheel.”

Regarding the idea of the 12-day derogation being extended for domestic-only use, he says: “That might be a benefit, but I can’t see that many would take advantage.”

Mr Luckett warns against change for the sake of it, saying: “Since Brexit, everyone has said, ‘we have the opportunity, so shouldn’t we make use of it?’ But there was a lot of work that went into these rules in the first place and, if it’s dangerous for a driver in Germany, it’s probably dangerous for a driver in the UK.

“I think we’re pretty much there, but there is always some tweaking that needs to be done and that’s what this is an opportunity is for.”

Time to adapt

However, Robert Shaw, Director of Coventry-based operator Harry Shaw and Chair of the Coach Tourism Association (CTA), is more open to change, although he stresses the safety implications would need to be considered.

“What I’d like to see is the periods between the rest days changed so that we can encourage drivers to work for longer periods of time,” he tells routeone. “Anything that can assist in European touring would be a major help to our industry because I think it’s becoming more and more difficult for the average operator to provide a European tour at a price which appeals to the market.

“I think the rules need updating. Times change and have to reflect market conditions. The current driver shortage isn’t helping either. Anything that can help to alleviate this to provide drivers with more time to drive and earn money would be helpful.” He said his ideas roughly reflect those of the CTA.

Mixed results foreseen

However, Jason Burn, Managing Director of Stoke-on-Trent operator Copelands Tours, thinks any extension in the application of the 12-day rule may have pluses and minuses for the industry.

He says: “I can see that being an advantage on some of the tours but, by the same token, the industry is already short enough on drivers and it might make it worse as it would be another aspect of more continuous work.”

Source: RouteOne