Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the differences in safety rules between (a) buses and (b) coaches, and the effect on competition and comparative advantage between the two sectors.

Buses and coaches are both regulated as Public Service Vehicles and are expected to meet high safety standards.

The Department is aware of industry representations regarding differences in certain regulatory requirements, including restrictions affecting some younger passenger-carrying vehicle drivers. Through ongoing engagement with the sector, the Department has considered views on the effect of these requirements on bus and coach operators. The Department has recently re-engaged with industry to assess the potential impacts of removing restrictions affecting 18 and 19-year-old drivers and is considering next steps.