Multilateral agreement on international regular transport of passengers by bus and coach (OmniBUS)

1. Proposal Multilateral agreement on international regular transport of passengers by bus and coach (OmniBUS) UNECE SC.1 Meeting Geneva, 21 October 2009 SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

2. OmniBUS - Background • 3000 international regular lines in Europe alone • Bilateral agreements create a complicated framework & a burden for authorities and operators • Non preferential treatment of coaches at borders & waiting times • Society’s interest to promote collective bus and coach transport – safe, environmentally-friendly, affordable • a multilateral agreement on international regular bus and coach lines is expected to facilitate these services considerably by creating a harmonised and fairer legal framework, control documents and, ultimately, enforcement procedures across the board, whilst at the same time reducing the administrative burden and costs for both authorities and operators SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

3. OmniBUS - Background • Request by SC.1 (101 session) to prepare a note • IRU meetings with partner UNECE Governments (2008) • Decision to prepare a proposal for an agreement to allow real discussion • IRU Working Group of Member Associations (both EU and non EU) with input from several Governments (EU and non-EU) • Proposal submitted in July 2008 • Proposal briefly presented at 103rd session (postponed) SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

4. OmniBUS – Sources • Bilateral Agreements • Current and future EU legislation on market access • Interbus agreement • UNECE Consolidated Resolution on the Facilitation of International Road Transport (R.E.4) • UNECE Conventions on Road Traffic of 1949 and 1968 • WTO General Agreement on Trade of Services SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

5. OmniBUS – Main features • Only one application to the “authorising authority” in the country where one of the termini of the service is situated • Authorities of transited countries without picking up or setting down passengers only informed • Duration to issue authorisation (3 months) & 2 months for other authorities involved to respond (if no response = automatic granting of authorisation) • Common list of conditions for refusal of an authorisation • Cabotage allowed & 25% seat capacity limit for cabotage proposed (to be controlled via a passengers list) • Special chapters on safety, environmental provisions, facilitation (border controls, visas) and comfort • Administrative Committee to facilitate implementation and adapt annexes SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

6. OmniBUS – Main features • Common application form (EU model) • Common form of authorisation (EU model) • Common form of passengers’ list (industry model) • Common list of serious infringements (EU model) • Common checking procedures and form to avoid multiple controls en route (checks ONLY at terminals and NOT on roadside) SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

7. OmniBUS – Proposed Follow-up • Approve the IRU proposal for further consideration by SC.1 • Create of a dedicated SC.1 Ad-Hoc Working Group to work on the draft agreement on a continuous basis SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

8. Smart Move • IRU & Busworld long-term global initiative (5 years) • Facilitate bus/coach transport & travel • Double bus/coach use in 10-15 years • Open to all, who share Smart Move objectives SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

9. Doubling the use of buses and coaches means (EU): • Less 50 mio tonnes CO2 per year • 3500 less road fatalities per year • Spectacular reduction in congestion, since 10-15% less car traffic • + 4 million new jobs SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009

10. SC.1 Meeting 21 October 2009