The European Parliament formally adopted in plenary session, by 482 votes to 120 with 20 abstentions, the agreement with the Council of the EU on the revision of the rules on driving time and rest periods for drivers of occasional bus and coach services, reached at the end of January (see EUROPE 13339/3).
The agreement guarantees greater flexibility in breaks and rest periods compared with regular bus services. Occasional bus drivers will be able to divide their compulsory break into two breaks of at least 15 minutes each, while complying with the minimum total rest time requirement of 45 minutes during or at the end of four and a half hours of driving.
“Occasional tourist trips are characterised by seasonality and changing circumstances. We are bringing flexibility to the driving and resting rules so that they better serve the needs of both the drivers and the passengers, while simultaneously preserving road safety”, emphasised the rapporteur, Henna Virkkunen (EPP, Finnish).
However, the agreement was not supported by the Greens/EFA or The Left. “Until we understand that we need to improve wages and working conditions, the answer is no”, said Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, French) at a press briefing.
For its part, the Council has already validated the agreement (see EUROPE 13348/28).
To read the report as adopted, go to https://aeur.eu/f/bax (Original version in French by Anne Damiani, with Nithya Paquiry)