South East MEP Speaks Out Over
"Nail in the Coffin" for Rural Bus Services

Legislation likely to be approved in the European Parliament this week which would impose mandatory rest periods for bus drivers will be another heavy blow to Britain's already hard-pressed rural bus transport sector, Surrey MEP Nirj Deva said today.

The Member of the European Parliament for Surrey said the legislation would further undermine companies providing bus services in isolated rural areas.

"At present”, the MEP said, “bus services in rural areas, where many people are elderly and rely on public transport, are run by small and medium-sized companies which the EU claims to be the backbone of the economy. Yet legislation like this will threaten their very existence. The proposals for rest hours will mean increased cost to the consumer and the industry, will mean reduced services, and in some cases a withdrawal of services altogether."

The legislation further extends the Working Time Directive to commercial drivers. It imposes a mandatory 45-hour rest period on commercial drivers after five days of work. The Conservatives tabled a resolution to reject the proposals.

A report by the Centre for Economic and Business Research found that at least 60,600 additional drivers will be required after the Working Time Directive is extended to professional drivers. In addition, operational costs will increase by £3.8 billion, hourly wages will rise and the number of vehicles needed would have to increase by 2-3 per cent.

Speaking about the threat to rural bus services, Deva said:

“So many people – young and old – rely on rural bus services to get themselves from A to B.

"It is simply ridiculous, yet unsurprising, that the European Commission and European Parliament see fit to impose this ridiculous directive on bus drivers providing such a crucial service.

“I will be doing all I can to oppose this ridiculous piece of legislation is overturned so that these crucial life-line services can remain in operation for years to come”