Nearly 300 buses inspected over two days. Many serious irregularities were found.
Inspection of the international carriage of passengers by coaches and buses in Slovenia was organised on 22-23 May 2024 on various sections of the national highway network.
The Slovenian Infrastructure Inspectorate, the Slovenian Police, the Slovenian Financial Administration, the DARS motorway company, and the Labour Inspectorate along with enforcement officers from Austria, Croatia and Germany participated in the cross-border inspection supported by the European Labour Authority.
RoadPol and European Commission observers were also present. In total 293 buses were checked, thereof 97 buses from domestic operators, 143 buses from EU operators and 53 buses from third-country (non-EU country) operators.
Our experience has shown the need for more targeted actions in international passenger transport. Such inspections are challenging as they create certain disruptions for passengers. Therefore, they need to be very well prepared and coordinated. I am pleased that ELA was instrumental in bringing together Slovenia, Germany, and Croatia last year to perform a first joint inspection of international passenger transport. This regional cooperation has proved a success and now has been broadened to include Austria. We are looking into ways how to expand such cooperation even further.
Technical conditions of majority of buses, especially those older than 10 years, were critical. Two buses were excluded from traffic due to very serious faults in the braking system and steering mechanism. Many infringements were related to driving with a second driver card, driving without a card, manipulation of tachographs and insufficient weekly rest periods. Irregularities were also found in the non-operation of planned bus lines and the operation of lines contrary to the authorisation and timetable. Finally, inspectors found a case of undeclared work.
International public passenger services are in particular dangerous when a bus travels from one part of Europe to the other, returning to its country of origin. These routes are sometimes operated by several drivers who often manipulate working hours, and the drivers on these routes are exhausted, sometimes even driving buses that have been worn down by the ravages of time.
The inspection builds on previous successful similar cross-border inspections in Slovenia and Croatia. The involved enforcement authorities aim to deepen their regional cooperation and in the long-run build a permanent partnership focusing on social legislation and implementation of the rules regarding international passenger road transport. European Labour Authority with its partners works to expand such cooperation focusing on passenger road transport to cover as many countries as possible in order to strengthen cross border enforcement of labour and social rules.
European Labour Authority with its partners works to expand such cooperation focusing on passenger road transport to cover as many countries as possible in order to strengthen cross border enforcement of labour and social rules.
The aim of this inspection is also to share experience and good practices between the enforcement authorities of the EU Member States and to establish working contacts.
