Buses: EU Countries

(asked on 24th November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with EU counterparts on (a) the Interbus Agreement, (b) the 90 day rule and (c) UK coach tour drivers travel in Europe.


Answered by
Trudy Harrison Portrait
Trudy Harrison
This question was answered on 30th November 2021

The Interbus Agreement was a central part of discussions between the UK and EU during the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiations for international coach and bus services.

The UK acceded to the Interbus Agreement as an independent member on 1 January 2021, which allows occasional passenger transport services (e.g. coach tours) to continue between the UK and other members of the Interbus Agreement, including the EU.  In addition, the ‘transport of passengers’ title in the TCA ensures that authorised regular (scheduled) and special regular services to and from EU countries can continue.

This was a temporary measure that ceases apply to the UK in April 2022 as the Interbus Agreement has now been extended via a Protocol to include regular and special regular services. The EU is aware that the UK will sign the Protocol and have legislation in place in time for when this change comes into force.

On the 90 day rule and UK coach drivers, visa and work permit arrangements for the purpose of undertaking paid work is a matter for individual EU Member States. Since these rules are set by individual Member States, it is not a matter that the Department has discussed recently with EU officials.

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