Work on the package is ongoing
According to the European Commission’s latest proposals, drivers engaged in international transport will be subject to posting regulations after just three days in a month following the crossing of the border. The Mobility Package will certainly apply to bilateral transport and cabotage operations. The European Commission’s proposal does not cover transit transport, but there are calls for the posting regulations to also apply to this type of transport. EU officials define a workday as 6 hours. Some countries are demanding that the posting regulations apply from the very first hour after crossing the border.
Another key provision concerns the taking of regular rest periods. The European Commission has proposed that these rest periods be taken in a cumulative manner after three weeks, while countries opposed to the provisions are proposing four weeks. Taking rest periods longer than 24 hours in the cab will be prohibited. Cabotage will be permitted for only 5 days after arrival in the country, whereas currently it is 7 days and 3 transport operations. In exchange for shortening the cabotage period, the EC is offering an unlimited number of transport operations.
Brussels wants to conclude the negotiations this year so that the new legislation can be adopted by the current European Parliament, whose term ends in mid-2019.
Protectionism and the end of the single market?
The proposed provisions are being dictated by the nine “old EU” member states that have formed the so-called “road alliance.” It is clear that these regulations will directly restrict market access for companies from other countries and introduce protectionist practices.
At the same time, everything suggests that the members of the aforementioned Alliance are overlooking a few key facts. There is a shortage of drivers across Europe, which is why the free movement of services and workers is essential for the provision of transport services within the Community. Logistics operators based in the countries of the Road Alliance actually rely on subcontractors from other countries. The European market, and especially the logistics industry, is a network of interconnected vessels. The Mobility Package will therefore affect everyone, including consumers, who will pay for the Mobility Package through higher prices for goods.
The Polish Association of International Road Carriers warns that the proposed measures could have very negative consequences for the transport industry in our part of Europe:
https://zmpd.zmpd.pl/aktualnosc.php?akt_id=6216
The IRU also takes a highly critical stance and raises a number of objections:
https://www.iru.org/where-we-work/europe/europe-overview/european-commission-mobility-package
What will the European road transport market look like once the "Mobility Package" takes effect? No one can answer that question. One thing is certain, however—we will all pay for it.