Fresh uncertainty has hit the coach industry after the Schengen Area EU Entry/Exit System (EES), intended to strengthen security and streamline border checks for non-EU citizens, has been further postponed just weeks before its scheduled introduction on 10 November.
The delay has prompted concerns from sector representatives that a later introduction could cause significant disruption for coach groups should rollout severely impact the peak periods for travel.
A European Commission (EC) spokesperson confirmed the postponement to routeone on 11 October, following its discussion at the Home Affairs Council on 10 October. The delay comes after the EC did not receive all required declarations of readiness — a legal requirement to start operation of the system.
At time of writing, the eu-LISA Management Board has invited the EC to assess the feasibility of a “phased approach” — considered the best way forward for swift progress. An eu-LISA extraordinary Management Board meeting on 16 October, after routeone went to press, was set to explore how to take this forward.
Once fully implemented, EES will require all non-EU citizens to submit biometric data when entering Schengen. While intended to streamline processing in the long-term, that is expected to cause delays as operators and border officers adjust to new procedures.
Risk of delay had already triggered concerns within the UK coach industry, which had hoped the original 10 November date would give time for operators to adjust to the new system before peak periods.
November is ‘ideal timing’ for coach on Entry/Exit System
UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) Managing Director Peter Bradley highlighted concerns about potential delays to EES implementation following a trade body meeting in September with Lilian Greenwood, Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads, before the postponement was confirmed.
In that conversation, Mr Bradley warned that any delay could have severe consequences for the sector.
“The November timing was ideal because it gave the industry a chance to adapt before we hit the busy seasons,” he says. “If we were to test this in the summer, there would be more challenges. The idea was that we start it now, test it, get used to the technology, and that work being done at the docks will catch up.
“It’s known that November is a quiet period, and we could have ensured by summer next year that EES could cope with normal traffic. It would be best if it was brought in at a quiet time to let people get used to the technology before we have the build-up.”
Support needed to ensure adequate infrastructure
Those concerns have since been echoed by UKCOA following confirmation of the delay. It stresses that the extension creates continued uncertainty for operators.
“While we welcome the extra time to prepare for the system’s eventual rollout, we urge the government and relevant authorities to continue engaging with stakeholders to ensure that adequate infrastructure and resources are in place when EES finally comes into effect,” the trade body says.
“This includes making sure that coach operators are given the necessary guidance and support to avoid disruptions and meet the new requirements seamlessly.”
Others parties welcoming of further delay
Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough has welcomed the delay, claiming that the Port of Dover was not ready and that EES would have caused “significant disruption” there. He wants a focus on reliable technological solutions, including rapid development of an app to enable passengers to register biometrics before reaching the border, ahead of implementation.
Cllr Gough adds: “The continual and disproportionate impact on local communities and ultimately people’s lives across Kent, as a result of what are essentially national and international border issues, is unsustainable and requires government support and recognition to be relieved.
“Until new ways are found to manage traffic bound for the continent, even without EU EES checks in force it is inevitable that periods of severe disruption will continue to occur.”
RHA has welcomed the latest postponement. Director of Public Affairs and Policy Declan Pang says that EES “needs to be fully tested before activation to ensure that it can cope with peak traffic flows,” and adds that the Association continues to engage with officials and ports “to ensure that all infrastructure is ready, updated and secure before the eventual rollout.”
