Month: December 2024

Coaches unloading passengers in the northbound coach parking on Park Lane.

Please can we remind operators that aside from the two coach bays to the rear of Apsley House no boarding or alighting is permitted in the northbound coach parking due to the proximity of the cycle lane. Additionally all northbound stops have a local buses only restriction. Set down and pick up only (no parking or waiting) is permitted on the southbound carriageway at bus stops and a dedicated facility next to the Dorchester hotel.

Thank you

The Department for Transport have yesterday issued an important update to the upcoming requirements for Smart Tachograph 2 installation and driver’s hours records for PSV’s when conducting journeys into the EU.

From 31 December 2024, new requirements will come into effect for some commercial international transport journeys involving PSV’s with more than 10 seats. These updates apply to operators conducting journeys between the UK and EU and form part of the UK’s international agreements under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the Interbus Agreement. 

Key Points to Note

1. Scope of Changes
   • The changes apply only to PSVs operating international transport journeys between the UK and EU.
   • Vehicles used solely within the UK remain unaffected and must continue to follow the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.

1. AETR Rules for International Journeys
   • In-scope PSVs on UK-EU journeys must comply with the AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.
   • The AETR rules largely align with the UK’s assimilated rules but with some differences such as:
     • No Mobility Package Changes: Unlike the assimilated rules, the AETR does not include updates introduced by the EU Mobility Package in August 2020.
     • Recording Period: The AETR continues to require a 28-day recording period for drivers’ records. The 56-day requirement under the EU Mobility Package does not apply.

1. Understanding the TCA and Interbus Agreement
   • The TCA does not include detailed rules for passenger transport drivers’ hours and tachographs. Instead, it refers to the Interbus Agreement, which requires compliance with the AETR or specific EU rules.
   • The UK has confirmed that operators must follow the AETR rules for international journeys. To align with this:
     • Domestic journeys will continue to follow the UK’s assimilated rules.
     • International journeys between the UK and EU will follow the AETR rules.
   • This approach has been agreed upon with the European Commission.

1. Smart Tachographs
   • PSVs equipped with Smart Tachograph 1 or 2 systems remain compliant with AETR requirements. These devices meet the standards for digital tachographs and include additional functionalities.
   • The Department for Transport (DfT) is reviewing the current requirement for UK-registered vehicles with analogue or digital tachographs to retrofit a Smart Tachograph 2 by 31 December 2024. Enforcement of this requirement is on hold pending further updates.

1. Domestic Transport Rules Unchanged
   • PSVs operating solely on domestic UK journeys must continue to comply with the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours rules. There are no changes to these rules or their enforcement.

Guidance and Support

Operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the AETR rules and ensure compliance for international journeys. Guidance on drivers’ hours and tachograph rules is available at Drivers’ hours: Overview – GOV.UK.

The UKCOA will provide updates on any further changes as they occur

Stephen Spendley- Director of Operations- UK Coach Operators Association – 07990 049832

Last night, 16th December 2024, UKCOA Managing Director, Peter Bradley had the privilege of speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Bus and Coach.  This Group brings together parliamentarians and Industry stakeholders to discuss key issues, drive initiatives and champion the growth and survival of our sector.

We are proud to play an active role in shaping the future of our industry and ensuring that coaches remain a vital part of the UK’s transport network.

(L-R) APPG Co-Chair Lord Peter Snape, Peter Bradley, Claire Walters – Bus Users UK Chief Executive and Louise Cheeseman – Chair of Women in Bus and Coach.

We urgently need your support to oppose Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed Traffic Regulation Orders that will restrict coach access in Burford. These changes, which include banning coaches over 12 metres in length from Priory Lane and removing essential coach parking facilities, will have a devastating impact on the coach industry, local businesses, and the wider community.

This proposal sets a dangerous precedent for coach access across the country. If local authorities see that restrictions of this nature can be implemented without significant opposition, we could face similar measures in other towns and cities, further limiting our ability to operate effectively and the ramifications of this could be far-reaching.

Why This Matters to You

These proposals will:

• Severely restrict group tourism in Burford, reducing demand for coach services.
• Harm local businesses, threatening jobs, and the economy in the area.
• Increase car traffic, congestion, and environmental harm, while creating operational challenges for coach operators.
• Set a dangerous precedent for similar restrictions elsewhere, affecting your operations more broadly.

How You Can Help

We need your voice to ensure the Council understands the serious consequences of these changes. Submitting an objection is quick and easy, and we have prepared a template to guide you.

Objection to Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders in Burford

How to Submit Your Objection

1. Email your objection to: [email protected].
2. Alternatively, send it in writing to:
   Traffic Regulation Order & Schemes (Ref: CM/12.6.149/P0289)
   Director of Environment & Highways
   Oxfordshire County Council
   County Hall
   New Road
   Oxford, OX1 1ND

The deadline for objections is Friday, 3 January 2024.

Resources

• A customizable objection template is attached to this email for your convenience.
• Include any specific examples or experiences related to Burford to strengthen your case.

Act Now

We strongly encourage all UKCOA members to submit their objections and stand united against these harmful proposals. By acting collectively, we can make a real difference and protect access for coaches in Burford, ensuring the continued success of your business and our industry.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your objection, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call us on 0333 7333 222.

Thank you for your support in this critical matter.

Stephen Spendley-Director of Operations

UK Coach Operators Association

07990 049832

Reforms to Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) have come into effect today (Tuesday 3 December). Changes include:
• introducing a National Driver CPC that will cover driving a lorry, bus or coach in the UK
• allowing training courses to be done in blocks of 3.5 hours, rather than the previous 7 hours, to allow greater flexibility
• decoupling e-learning from trainer led courses
The guidance on how the reforms affect drivers has been updated, look on their website: https://www.gov.uk/

The measure to speed up the process for drivers to return to driving a lorry of bus coach in the UK if their Driver CPC has expired will come into effect on 1 February 2025.
Finding National Driver CPC courses
Over 200 National training courses have been approved and added to the list of available Driver CPC training courses. You will now be able to search by National and International courses.
Introducing a periodic test
The results from the 2023 consultation on introduction of a test were mixed and DfT will continue to keep under review the possibility of the introduction of a periodic test.
The dedicated page on the Driver CPC reforms is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/

From Wednesday 4 December 2024 roadworks will be taking place on Belvedere Road between the railway bridge and Upper Ground slip roads. This will consist of temporary traffic lights past the worksite. Works are expected to be in place until May 2025.

There will be changes to some tour bus stopping and standing arrangements, but these have already been communicated to the relevant operator.
Coach parking for the London Eye remains open.