WRITTEN QUESTION E-3830/00

by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 December 2000)

Subject: Noise and emission levels of bus and coach engines

In an attempt to cut noise levels bus and coach engine compartments have been designed with less free space. As noise levels have fallen, temperatures within engine compartments have risen. Changes in fuel injection technology to meet emission standards have resulted in substantially higher pressures within fuel lines, which has increased the risk of fatigue cracks in those pipes. The risk of fire has also increased as the ground clearance of buses and coaches has been reduced. The lower floors have produced cramped and hotter engine compartments. Alongside higher-pressure fuel pipes and high temperatures in engine compartments, electricity systems also present fire risks. Modern coaches and buses are extensively equipped with electronics which make great demands on the electrical system. All this emerges from an article in Hufvudstadsbladet of 23 August 2000.

What is the Commission's reaction to these claims and what can be done to correct the problems they describe?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2001)

The Commission shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member concerning the fire risks emanating from the engine compartment of buses. It is one of the reasons why a proposal of a directive(1) relating to special provisions for the construction of public service vehicles was adopted and submitted to the Parliament and the Council on June 1997.

The draft Directive (known as Buses and Coaches), now at its second reading stage, stipulates in its Annex 1, a series of requirements relating to protection against fire risks, particularly in the engine compartment. These requirements apply to the layout of the engine compartment, heat resisting materials, fuel and oil ducts, drainage orifices, possible sources of heat like energy dissipating retarder and heating fluids.

It is expected that the adoption process of this directive will be completed in the coming months in order to allow early transposition into the laws of the Member States. This Directive will increase the level of safety of this type of public service vehicles while ensuring the benefits of the functioning of the internal market.

(1) COM(97) 276.