Common rules for international carriage by coach and bus (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 684/92)

The ESC - supports the retention of the conditions laid down for access of this type of carriage to the market; - finds it necessary to retain an authorization procedure for other own-account transport operations in addition to those defined in the proposal to avoid any unfair competition with carriers working for another party; - welcomes the idea of a Community licence; - feels that some control over the operation of additional vehicles should be retained; - points out that carriers will be hit by the fact that international occasional services will no longer be able to undertake local excursions; - in particular welcomes the rules governing driving and rest time and roadworthiness tests which have been added in the new proposal. Lastly, the ESC is particularly aware of the importance of coach passenger safety and the need to provide full safety details during coach journeys, especially international long-distance journeys. The ESC feels that safety must be guaranteed as effectively as possible and urges the Commission to take this factor into account when finalizing the present proposal and preparing future initiatives in the sphere of international carriage of passengers by road. �