1. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 First Reaction – Bus and Coach Operators Steven Salmon Director of Policy Development Confederation of Passenger Transport (UK)

2. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 This is not a good time for a new regulatory burden  Bus and coach operators across Europe are feeling the effects of the economic slowdown  Our customers are being careful with their money. Putting up our prices would be a very risky strategy.  Investment is already down.  The only feasible reaction to increased costs is to reduce output.  That means fewer services for our passengers and fewer jobs for our workers.  Bus and coach operators across Europe are feeling the effects of the economic slowdown  Our customers are being careful with their money. Putting up our prices would be a very risky strategy.  Investment is already down.  The only feasible reaction to increased costs is to reduce output.  That means fewer services for our passengers and fewer jobs for our workers.

3. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 Strict liability is a major step in most Member States  In most countries, claimants have to show negligence, or a failure in the duty of care  In some countries, a proven case can lead to high damages.  In most countries, claimants have to show negligence, or a failure in the duty of care  In some countries, a proven case can lead to high damages.

4. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 There is such a thing as bad luck

5. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 Strict liability will encourage false and inflated claims

6. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 Someone will make a lot of money out of this proposal!

7. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 Someone will make a lot of money out of this proposal!

8. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 Do not underestimate the challenge of rapid payment

9. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 There is a similar problem with a high ceiling on luggage claims  Especially if they include things that bus passengers are carrying.

10. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 We have no wish to discriminate against disabled people  But this proposal appears to give an absolute right to mobility (with notice).  The COST 349 project did not recommend this.  How much is an accessible taxi from London to Amsterdam?  Probably about two months’ profits on the coach route.  Member states are tackling accessibility.  But this proposal appears to give an absolute right to mobility (with notice).  The COST 349 project did not recommend this.  How much is an accessible taxi from London to Amsterdam?  Probably about two months’ profits on the coach route.  Member states are tackling accessibility.

11. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 There are issues of practicality

12. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 But we should be able to train our agents

13. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 We want to run the service, and inform people when we cannot

14. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 The proposal for an enforcement body is upsetting  Why has our sector been singled out in this way?  It is normal for consumers to have recourse to law, but not for a state body to be given the task of checking that we are doing what we should in every case.  Why has our sector been singled out in this way?  It is normal for consumers to have recourse to law, but not for a state body to be given the task of checking that we are doing what we should in every case.

15. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 The relationship between our industry and its customers is complex  We are not out to make a quick buck.  We do not exploit our passengers’ hour of need.  Many operators are community-rooted SMEs, close to the people they serve.  We are not out to make a quick buck.  We do not exploit our passengers’ hour of need.  Many operators are community-rooted SMEs, close to the people they serve.

16. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2009 We need a mature and informed discussion about passenger rights  If the requirements are impractical  If we cannot afford to run the service  Rights are useless.  If the requirements are impractical  If we cannot afford to run the service  Rights are useless.