During one road inspection, the ILT found more than 50 violations of the rules for driving and rest times at this bus company.
The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) recently took drastic measures against a bus company based in the north of the Netherlands, withdrawing the company's Euro permit for a period of six months. This means that the company is not allowed to carry out passenger transport for the time being. In addition, the company's transport manager has been declared unfit for his position for two years. He will have to pass the professional competence exam again to be able to fulfill his role within the transport sector again. This decision follows an extensive ERRU investigation, a first in the Netherlands, in which more than fifty serious violations came to light. These violations mainly concern non-compliance with established driving and rest times, crucial for both the safety of passengers and road users.
The ILT conducted this specific ERRU investigation after a road inspection found an alarming number of violations at the bus company. These violations were not only numerous but also of such a nature that they seriously called into question the reliability of the company and its management. In transport and bus transport, reliability is not a luxury but an essential condition. The permits are subject to compliance with strict rules intended to ensure the safety and reliability of transport. By exceeding the maximum penalty points threshold, the company has not only risked its license but also the safety of passengers and the public.
Entrepreneurs in professional freight and bus transport require a Euro permit to carry out their work
In addition to assessing the seriousness of the violations, an ERRU investigation also takes into account culpability and the measures taken by a company to prevent recurrence. In the case of the bus company in question, it became clear that there was culpable behavior and that no significant steps had been taken to improve compliance with the legislation. This resulted in the aforementioned sanctions.
ERRU, or the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings, plays a crucial role in enforcing the rules within the European transport sector. The register facilitates the exchange of data on sanctions between European countries, making a cross-border approach to abuses in the sector possible. This system contributes to a more transparent and fairer transport market.
The ILT emphasizes the importance of complying with the rules for a safe and sustainable transport sector. Monitoring the qualifications and reliability of drivers and companies, in addition to compliance with driving and rest times and the correct permits, forms the basis of their commitment to safe passenger transport. This incident sheds light on the crucial role such regulatory bodies play in enforcing standards within the transportation sector, essential for the safety of everyone on the road.
