This week brought a reality shock to our colleagues in the Road Haulage Sector with introduction of the lottery that is the International Road Haulage Permit Scheme (ECMT) to allow operations in the EU to take place after Brexit day, the restricted number of permits will, I am sure, have a negative impact on those not receiving permits.
The ECMT had me thinking of our predicament in the coach and bus sector. As it stands the Interbus agreement appears to still be with parliament as the clock ticks to what may become a Brexit disaster.
The Irish have been debating Interbus for more than 15 months, yet the UK parliament starts in September this year.
If Brexit happens, the pool of drivers from the EU (except Eire) will reduce making it harder to recruit. Our hard-earned Transport Manger qualifications will probably not be recognised in the EU and cabotage will be removed.
In our case, we have put on the back burner our plans to commence French battlefield tours from the UK as uncertainty in Brexit has the potential to cause numerous problems for us after Brexit day. As a small business, we simply cannot take the risk if something goes wrong.
As the Prime Minister tours the UK trying to peddle her Chequers deal, it is somewhat ironic that the very people she seeks support from are being denied a say on the final deal and whether Brexit should go ahead. The following weeks will tell whether the Chequers deal is approved in Parliament, if not then what?
All the team at Classic Bus Hire
