MD of Parrys International adds to recent discussion on coach driversâ hours reform
The Managing Director of Parrys International has called for the urgent reintroduction of the 12-day derogation for coach tourism drivers on domestic work, saying that the current position is harming the sector.
Dave Parry believes the rule preventing drivers from delaying a weekly rest break is limiting options for operators and adding to the driver shortage.
It comes after recent European Commission (EC) and Confederation of Passenger Transport proposals both included extending the circumstances around the postponement of a weekly rest period to domestic travel to align with rules for international work.
Mr Parry, whose business marks its 50th anniversary this year, protested against the 2006 EC directive on driver hours and wants the retained EU law in this respect to be changed. He believes it is unfair for coach drivers to be subject to the same rules as HGV drivers.
âWe donât drive the same way,â he says. âSome days we might only do 15 minutes, but itâs still classed as a full dayâs work. Thereâs not very often a lot of mileage involved. Thatâs why tourism is different.â
Coach tourism is unfairly treated, he believes, adding: âIt doesnât make sense â itâs like dragging a captain off a cruise ship and saying, âsorry youâve done six days, youâve got to come off’.â
Application of the regulations as it stands harms operatorsâ flexibility to offer domestic tours of more than six days, or use the same driver on consecutive tours, says Mr Parry. Operators sometimes have to use hotels that wouldnât otherwise be first-choice due to clients needing somewhere to visit on driver rest days.
âItâs not good for us, itâs not good for clients and itâs not good for drivers,â he continues. âThey donât want to be forced to have days off when theyâre on tour. Weâve lost enough drivers as it is. It needs to be changed as soon as possible.â