07 October 2008

Twelve Day Rule set to return

The European Parliament is set to bring back the Ã¢â¬ËœTwelve Day RuleÃ¢â¬â¢ for drivers next year, making it easier for operators to put coach tours together.

The rule had allowed coach drivers to take their compulsory weekly rest at the beginning of one week and at the end of the following week.

This meant operators could put two-week itineraries together more cheaply and easily, not having to bring in relief drivers to operate many popular tours and not having to arrange for drivers to take rest days far from home.

But the rule was abolished in 2007, and since then coach drivers have had to take their rest days every six days.

According to the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), the European Parliament is now set to revert back to the Twelve Day Rule.

"It's not definite yet, but it looks like it's going that way," said Tom Jenkins, ETOA executive director.

But the ETOA is concerned because it looks like the change will only apply to tours which cover more than one country.

"Whilst we are concerned that the international clause will lead to some complications, and penalise coach operators who only go to one country, such as the British Isles, this is fundamentally good news.

"Everybody makes mistakes, but it is how quickly you rectify these mistakes that an insitution is judged. The EU did severe damage to incoming tourism throughout the Continent when it introduced the 'Six Day Rule'. This is major improvement."

The ETOA, which represents over 100 European tour operators, will continue to lobby Brussels to make sure the legislation applies to all tours.

By Bev Fearis