While the February half-term rush appeared to go relatively smoothly for coach operators at the Port of Dover, firms have raised concerns over return crossings and warned over increased need for changing drivers at Calais.
RHA Operations Manager – Coach Sector Andy Warrender says he heard no complaints regarding the first February getaway since the introduction of the EU Entry-Exit System (EES).
Mike Lee, Managing Director of Southampton-based Pegasus Coaches, says of six coaches his business took over the Channel via ferry at half-term, only one missed its boat. “In general, we were quite happy with how it went on the UK side but, on the way back, we had two that missed their boats in Calais. I think it was just general busyness and not having enough staff.” He adds his operations faced similar problems at Dunkirk last Christmas.
Matthew Arnold, Managing Director of Dover coach operator Bayliss Executive Travel, says: “The issue for us is unpredictability; you don’t know whether it’s going to take 40 minutes to get through or an hour and a half. We got through okay. Nobody missed the ferry but, when they returned, we’re having inconsistency coming into the UK, and that’s something we haven’t considered before.”
Both operators raise as a growing issue the challenge of meeting drivers’ hours requirements, given that staff can no longer be swapped at the port itself. Having to do so instead at Stop24 services is adding at least two hours to the driver shift, causing problems for tours to far-flung destinations, Mr Arnold points out.
Mr Lee says: “In future, we are going to have to say to our clients that we’re going to have to start tour drivers in France, which would mean an extra £1,500 worth of bills which will have to be passed on.” He is concerned that could mean some clients choosing air travel as a cheaper option.
Mr Arnold adds: “Ultimately, in order to keep on the right side of drivers’ hours, for at least one of the ski tours that we regularly do, we’ll have to change them over in Calais.”
A Port of Dover spokesperson says: “February half-term proved to be a strong test of our preparations for processing EES coach traffic, and we’re pleased with how smoothly operations ran during one of the first peak periods of the year. Thanks to close collaboration with Police Aux Frontières, coach operators, Border Force and our on-site teams, we were able to maintain steady flows while supporting passengers efficiently and safely.”
However, in anticipation of busy Easter dates, port officials have extended the maximum coach arrival time from two hours to three hours on 26, 27 and 28 March, and 3 and 10 April.
The port also published a plea regarding co-operation with the MOANA process optionally used to speed up school group administration, after noting that only 24% of the forms it dealt with during half-term were completed correctly.
It stresses the most common failures were: forms not received within the required timeframe (at least 96 hours); the MOANA poster not being displayed in the coach window; pupils listed but not travelling on the corresponding vehicle; school names missing from the list; and incomplete vehicle and driver information.
