Impact of the Bus and Coach Construction Directive 2001/85/EC A manufacturer's view

摘要

Until 13 August 2003 every Member State of the European Community had its own set of rules regulating technical equipment for buses and coaches, which resulted in a significant amount of variations. From that date on it was possible to gain national type approval under standardised requirements as the EC Directive 2001/85/EC became applicable. The directive covers aspects such as the width and height of gangways, the size and arrangements of seats, size and location of emergency exits, handrails and handholds and much more. It is mainly based on the UN-ECE Regulations 36, 52 and 107 and mandates the compliance with UN-ECE R 66 'Strength of Superstructure' for single deck class Ⅱ and Ⅲ vehicles. Although there is now a Europe-wide standardised set of rules, this benefit does not come without additional costs, as class I buses must provide improved access for people with impaired mobility.