Labour Euro MP, Richard Corbett, has rubbished claims by a Yorkshire bus company that they have altered routes due to new EU legislation.

He said:"The East Yorkshire Motor Service (EYMS) has claimed that new EU rules have forced them to stop running services between Hull and Goole because the journey is over 30 miles - this is complete nonsense. The EU rules do not put any limit on the distance of journeys, only that buses travelling on journeys over 31 miles must have tachometers fitted.

"Rules on tachometers were bought in to improve road safety and to make sure that drivers are not forced by their employers to drive more than nine hours per day - something that has been illegal under UK law for many years. The rules aim to prevent drivers from becoming so tired they present a danger to themselves, their passengers and to other road users. It is entirely sensible to put a limit on their working hours and ask bus companies with long routes to fit tachometers to the vehicles to ensure that this practice is carried out."

Richard added: "It would appear that some bus companies may be using these new rules as an excuse to discontinue rural services. These EU rules have done nothing whatsoever to prevent buses operating their usual routes, the only thing that is preventing these journeys are the companies themselves who refuse to fit tachometers in buses in order to put profits before safety."

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