Increase in bus length
The maximum permissible length of buses operating across borders is governed by the regulations contained in EC Directive 96/53/EC. This specifies the maximum permissible dimensions for commercial vehicles operating within and across national borders in the Community, together with the maximum permissible weights for cross-border vehicles. According to the Directive, the maximum permissible length for buses operating across borders is 12 m.
Since buses up to 15 m in length can be licensed in Germany and many other EU member states, the Commission was asked to examine the effects of an increase in bus length. In the resulting report, the Commission presented a number of options for the use of 15 m buses, some of which are tied to additional conditions.
At the request of the Council of Ministers, the Commission put forward a proposed amendment to EC Directive 96/53/EC in March 2000 concerning the increase in the length of buses. This envisages a maximum length of 15 m for non-articulated buses, including ski and luggage racks. Buses over 12 m in length must have more than two axles. In addition, further requirements are specified for cornering characteristics.
VDA and the German bus operators' associations, namely the Bundesverband Deutscher Omnibusunternehmen e.V. (Federal Association of German Bus Operators) and the Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmer e.V. (Association of German Transport Operators) take the view that an increase in the length of buses should not be linked to any additional requirements. The Economic and Social Committee of the European Union agreed with this view in its comment on the Commission's report of January 27, 1999.
Buses of 15 m in length offer the advantage of accommodating more passengers. Provided every seat is occupied, the vehicle consumes around 10 per cent less fuel and takes up about 15 percent less road space per passenger than a bus of 12 m in length.
