Collective transport companies (buses and coach operators as well as smaller vehicles for groups fleets) must ensure that they comply with regulations on road safety, passenger safety, environmental protection and data protection. Vehicles and drivers must be regularly inspected and they must keep maintenance and safety records.
WAY-Plan software can help collective transport companies to remain compliant with current regulations by providing tools to manage administrative and operational aspects.
The importance of staying compliant with regulations
If a company does not comply with regulations, it may face severe financial and legal consequences, including fines and penalties.
Non-compliance with regulations can also have reputational consequences. As a professional transport company, in the event of an accident (even minor), if ever there is evidence that a regulation was not followed properly, you will face extremely severe consequences and insurance companies and customers would probably turn against you.
The consequences of non-compliance with administrative regulations can also be financially onerous, such as administrative or financial penalties, or the suspension or revocation of permits or approvals.
Understanding the regulations
In the UK, collective transport regulations cover a wide range of areas, from transport licences, fares, timetables and routes, safety, standards and emergency protocols, to safety and environmental standards.
The most important regulations for collective transport in the UK relate mainly to safety, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications and insurance.
With regard to vehicle maintenance, collective transport companies must ensure that all vehicles are maintained regularly and in accordance with current safety and environmental standards.
Collective transport drivers must hold the appropriate valid professional licence. They must also undergo regular training to maintain their driving skills.
Finally, collective transport companies must take out civil liability insurance to cover the risks associated with their passenger transport activity.
Other important regulations are
- Road safety standards, which aim to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers
- Safety regulations, such as emergency plans for transport companies and safety standards for infrastructure
- Regulations relating to legislation on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant emissions for collective transport vehicles
- Regulations on driver assistance devices, such as safety systems and driver assistance systems to improve road safety
Using WAY-Plan to stay compliant
WAY-Plan is a fleet management solution that offers a comprehensive set of features for transport companies to help them stay compliant with regulations.
WAY-Plan’s automated forms and reports provide accurate and up-to-date information on employees, vehicles, and services performed. For example, companies can use driver reports to ensure that your drivers’ licences are valid, that they are up to date with medical regulations and multiple other control points. They can also use vehicle maintenance reports to ensure that the vehicles used meet the required safety and compliance standards.
WAY-Plan’s detailed analysis help identify potential problems. For example, an analysis of driver performance can help companies identify drivers who need additional training, or drivers who have a high rate of accidents or delays. Similarly, a vehicle performance analysis is used to identify vehicles that seem to need repair, or that have a high rate of breakdowns.
WAY-Plan allows to generate quotes and invoices that comply with regulatory requirements in just a few clicks. Engagement information is automatically integrated into the documents, so you don’t have to waste time entering data manually. In addition, the platform allows you to monitor the status of your invoices and ensure that all necessary information is included. This allows you to focus on your core business while being assured that your quotes and invoices are up to standard.
The invoices generated by WAY-Plan display automatically CO2 emissions. This figure is calculated according to the distance traveled and the vehicle used for each of your missions.
WAY-Plan software creates accurate and complete Driver Programs. These sheets contain all the necessary information for the mission, such as schedules, pick-up and drop-off points, possible intermediate stops, and possible additional costs. These sheets are automatically updated with any changes to the mission, allowing you to follow the mission’s progress in real time. It complies with current regulations on passenger transport, ensuring that all mandatory information is included on your invoices.
Conclusion
Compliance with UK regulations is important to ensure the safety of employees, passengers and the company itself. The financial and legal consequences of non-compliance can be severe and damage the company’s reputation, and an oversight will not be excused by the authorities for professional collective transport companies. Remaining compliant is also a condition of continuing to operate and maintaining the necessary licences and accreditations.
WAY-Plan helps transport companies stay compliant with UK regulations. It provides tools to manage driver assignments, expenses and payments, generate assignment sheets automatically, provide administrative support, perform analysis and dashboards to improve performance and manage resources. These features provide companies with real-time information and analysis tools to ensure compliance with regulations and optimise performance by making it easier to manage their business.
