Category: Uncategorised

250312 Letter updating members regarding Regular and Special Regular Protocol (UKCOA)

Dear Member,

UK-based coach operators running international services will see changes come into effect from 1 April 2025 as the Regular and Special Regular (RSR) Protocol replaces existing arrangements under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).  These updates primarily impact timetabled coach services and those carrying specific groups, such as school transport.

The RSR Protocol largely replicates the temporary TCA provisions, ensuring continued access for UK operators to the EU and beyond.  From April, UK operators will be able to run authorised RSR services to countries such as Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, and Ukraine, in addition to EU member states.  While this transition is expected to be smooth, operators should be aware of the revised authorisation process through the DVSA (for GB-based operators) and the DVA (for Northern Ireland operators).

For services between Northern Ireland and Ireland, specific provisions will remain under the TCA. These include allowances for cabotage within Ireland for RSR services, transit rights for journeys passing through Ireland to reach Northern Ireland, and occasional services picking up and setting down passengers in Ireland.

Cabotage rules are also changing.  From 1 April, EU operators will no longer be allowed to conduct cabotage operations in the UK.  Similarly, UK operators remain restricted from undertaking cabotage in the EU, meaning services must start or end in the UK.

For operators running occasional services, no changes are expected, and existing requirements for Interbus Journey Forms or TCA Transit Forms will continue. However, non-liberalised occasional services (those not covered by Interbus or the TCA) will still require separate authorisation through the DVSA.

The DfT has confirmed that existing RSR authorisations issued under the TCA will remain valid for their approved duration.

Full details of the changes are attached in the notification sent to the UKCOA by DfT.

M4 Prince of Wales Bridge

We’re carrying out resurfacing and repairs on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge from summer 2024 to autumn 2025. For more information, please visit our dedicated webpage.

If we’re planning to close either of the bridges in the next seven days, you’ll find further details below. For other closures on the network, including the approaches to the bridges, please visit our daily closures page. 

(taken from the National Highways website)

Dear All,

 OAKLEY STREET AND OLD CHURCH STREET – BUS AND COACH BAN

The Kensington and Chelsea (Prescribed Routes) (No. 7) Traffic Order 2023

On behalf of the Council of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and in accordance with the usual consultation procedures on traffic and parking schemes, I wish to draw your attention to the made order, described more fully in the attached documents, to prohibit all buses (including coaches) from entering Oakley Street and Old Church Street (between the south-eastern kerb-line of King’s Road and the north-western kerb-line of Chelsea Embankment), excluding any part of those roads that is a red route side road. An exemption would apply to vehicles following a diversion route, and dial a ride and community transport services..

If you have any queries or wish to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Paul White

Parkmap and Traffic Orders Officer

Transport and Regulatory Services
Tel:   020 7361 3399

Email:   [email protected]
37 Pembroke Road, London W8 6PW

Lambeth Bridge eastbound directional closure (Westminster to Lambeth) from 10 February to 19 December 2025.

TKJV, working on behalf of TFL will be carrying out public realm improvement works on Lambeth Bridge. Works will necessitate the part closure of Lambeth Bridge.

Coaches unloading passengers in the northbound coach parking on Park Lane.

Please can we remind operators that aside from the two coach bays to the rear of Apsley House no boarding or alighting is permitted in the northbound coach parking due to the proximity of the cycle lane. Additionally all northbound stops have a local buses only restriction. Set down and pick up only (no parking or waiting) is permitted on the southbound carriageway at bus stops and a dedicated facility next to the Dorchester hotel.

Thank you

The Department for Transport have yesterday issued an important update to the upcoming requirements for Smart Tachograph 2 installation and driver’s hours records for PSV’s when conducting journeys into the EU.

From 31 December 2024, new requirements will come into effect for some commercial international transport journeys involving PSV’s with more than 10 seats. These updates apply to operators conducting journeys between the UK and EU and form part of the UK’s international agreements under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the Interbus Agreement. 

Key Points to Note

1. Scope of Changes
   • The changes apply only to PSVs operating international transport journeys between the UK and EU.
   • Vehicles used solely within the UK remain unaffected and must continue to follow the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.

1. AETR Rules for International Journeys
   • In-scope PSVs on UK-EU journeys must comply with the AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.
   • The AETR rules largely align with the UK’s assimilated rules but with some differences such as:
     • No Mobility Package Changes: Unlike the assimilated rules, the AETR does not include updates introduced by the EU Mobility Package in August 2020.
     • Recording Period: The AETR continues to require a 28-day recording period for drivers’ records. The 56-day requirement under the EU Mobility Package does not apply.

1. Understanding the TCA and Interbus Agreement
   • The TCA does not include detailed rules for passenger transport drivers’ hours and tachographs. Instead, it refers to the Interbus Agreement, which requires compliance with the AETR or specific EU rules.
   • The UK has confirmed that operators must follow the AETR rules for international journeys. To align with this:
     • Domestic journeys will continue to follow the UK’s assimilated rules.
     • International journeys between the UK and EU will follow the AETR rules.
   • This approach has been agreed upon with the European Commission.

1. Smart Tachographs
   • PSVs equipped with Smart Tachograph 1 or 2 systems remain compliant with AETR requirements. These devices meet the standards for digital tachographs and include additional functionalities.
   • The Department for Transport (DfT) is reviewing the current requirement for UK-registered vehicles with analogue or digital tachographs to retrofit a Smart Tachograph 2 by 31 December 2024. Enforcement of this requirement is on hold pending further updates.

1. Domestic Transport Rules Unchanged
   • PSVs operating solely on domestic UK journeys must continue to comply with the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours rules. There are no changes to these rules or their enforcement.

Guidance and Support

Operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the AETR rules and ensure compliance for international journeys. Guidance on drivers’ hours and tachograph rules is available at Drivers’ hours: Overview – GOV.UK.

The UKCOA will provide updates on any further changes as they occur

Stephen Spendley- Director of Operations- UK Coach Operators Association – 07990 049832

Last night, 16th December 2024, UKCOA Managing Director, Peter Bradley had the privilege of speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Bus and Coach.  This Group brings together parliamentarians and Industry stakeholders to discuss key issues, drive initiatives and champion the growth and survival of our sector.

We are proud to play an active role in shaping the future of our industry and ensuring that coaches remain a vital part of the UK’s transport network.

(L-R) APPG Co-Chair Lord Peter Snape, Peter Bradley, Claire Walters – Bus Users UK Chief Executive and Louise Cheeseman – Chair of Women in Bus and Coach.

A3220 Battersea Bridge Road

There will be a series of lane restrictions affecting Battersea Bridge Road across Battersea Bridge, between Cambridge Road on the south side and Cheyne Walk on the north.

Work will start at the junction with Cambridge Road and progress north one junction at a time. This is while we deliver the Battersea Bridge safety improvements scheme. Some local roads will also be closed where required, with signed diversions in place.