Press release

AXE HANGS OVER RURAL BUS ROUTES

RURAL bus services are under threat because EU rules treat bus drivers as if they were long distance truckers.

Recently introduced EU regulations mean bus drivers on routes longer than 31.6 miles must take more breaks and longer rest periods.

The rules were originally designed to prevent continental lorry drivers from travelling long distances without a rest.

But they also mean many rural bus routes – which tend to be longer than urban routes – are now threatened with closure.

The Rural Services Network (RSN), which campaigns for better public services, says the government could opt out from the new rules.

But so far it has refused to do so.

RSN chief officer Graham Biggs said: “The practical interpretation of the legislation is that it is more stressful and therefore potentially dangerous to drive a bus in the countryside than in the city.

“Such an argument is plainly ridiculous and absurd. It discriminates against rural residents and is not backed up by research or evidence.”

Tightening the rules governing local bus services was making it more expensive to operate rural routes – many of which are under threat.

Buses serving rural through-routes have already been withdrawn in Norfolk, Suffolk and Somerset.

Rural routes in at least 13 further counties are considered to be at risk.

The regulations state that drivers on longer routes can drive no more than 90 hours every fortnight, compared to 130 hours under UK laws.

Drivers must also take a continuous break of 45 hours every two weeks, compared to a continuous break of 24 hours for drivers on shorter routes.

The result is that bus companies must employ more drivers if they wish to maintain the same level of service.

Further routes are likely to come under threat as a January 2007 deadline approaches for the implementation of the next round of EU legislation.

This will see vehicles fitted with tachographs so driving hours can be monitored – an expense many bus companies can ill afford.

In a bid to keep below the 31.6-mile threshold, some bus operators have split longer routes into shorter ones. But more routes are likely to be abandoned.

“Rural residents who need to travel to their local school or hospital may now find they are denied access to education and healthcare,” said Mr Biggs.

“Other passengers will find they are required to change buses en route, or absurdly get off the bus and then re-board for the remainder of the journey.

“These recent changes have made rural bus services more expensive to run and many rural routes are already operating on a shoe-string budget.”

Notes to Editors:

2. The Rural Services Network is a coalition of more than 200 major public service providers serving England’s most rural communities. See www.ruralservicespartnership.org.uk for details.

3. Bus services abandoned or withdrawn as through-routes and split up:

Downham Market to Norwich (Norfolk County Council contracted route)
Bristol to Yeovil (Somerset)
Newmarket to Thetford (Suffolk County Council contracted route)

4. Other routes considered at risk include:

Exeter to Bude (Devon and Cornwall)
Guidford to Winchester (Surrey and Hampshire)
Hastings to Dover (Sussex and Kent)
Hull to Scarborough (East Riding)
Lincoln to Skegness (Lincolnshire)
Newcastle to Carlisle (Northumberland and Cumbria)
Salisbury to Weymouth (Wiltshire and Dorset)
Shrewsbury to Rhayader (Shropshire)

5. For further information, please contact Ben Colson on 01553 776980 (work) or 07786 163923 (mobile).