WRITTEN QUESTION E-0061/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Proposed EC directive on the construction of buses

The draft directive on the construction of buses and coaches (Doc III/4076/90) as it presently stands could have a significant impact on the operation of bus services in Scotland. There is a danger that the proposals to increase longitudinal space between seats, seat width, gangway width, additional service doors, space and access for wheelchairs and second staircases could result in a loss of seats available to passengers. This could lower safety standards, forcing more passengers to stand. Has the Commission given this due consideration and assessed the impact that an increased number of standing passengers could have on the risk of injury, as well as downgrading the travelling environment in general? Has the Commission taken into account the extent of urban development in the United Kingdom, which means that passengers typically make longer journeys than those on mainland Europe?

Has the Commission examined statistics which show that around one-third of injuries on buses are sustained whilst boarding or alighting and that, in the UK, there has been a downward trend from almost 50%, particularly as a result of the reduction of the number of buses in use with centre doors where the driver does not have a clear view of those boarding or alighting?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (4 March 1998)

The proposal for a directive on technical provisions for buses and coaches ((OJ C 17, 20.1.1998. )) includes provisions concerning the stability of the vehicle, the minimum size of seats and the spacing between seats, the number and arrangement of the doors and emergency exits and other requirements on vehicle stability and the improvement of safety.

The proposal is based on the prescriptions given in regulations issued by the United Nations Economic commission for Europe. However, whenever necessary in order to ensure higher and achievable levels of safety more stringent requirements have been proposed. Before the Commission adopted the proposal, there were discussions at great length with the Member States, industry, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties.

In order to achieve the maximum degree of harmonisation consistent with the establishment of the single market, while at the same time acknowledging that in specific circumstances it may not be possible to achieve total harmonisation in a single step, it was decided to introduce derogations from certain technical provisions, e.g. seat width, door arrangements. In the case of the Member States which will not accept the derogation, harmonisation will be total, while other Member States, at their own discretion, and within clearly defined and circumscribed limits, can maintain their own system of transport and their own specifications for the construction of certain vehicles. The United Kingdom is thus entitled through the derogations to maintain its own national legislation for buses and coaches.

Furthermore, at present, no statistic evidence is at hand showing that buses and coaches fitted with centre doors are less safe than buses and coaches without such doors. The Commission, however, is closely following the developments in this area and will propose adequate measures when appropriate.