Government looks into more rights for coach passengers

Plans to bring the rights of long-distance bus and coach passengers in line with train and plane users have been put forward for consultation by the government.

Mainly applying to journeys of more than 155 miles, the proposals aim to ensure coach passengers have similar legal protection to those using other forms of transport.

The move will affect the thousands of passengers who travel by bus from Edinburgh to other UK and European cities every year. The UK must comply with EU regulations on bus and coach passenger rights next March.

The regulations lay out the responsibilities of ­operators and terminal owners in the case of delays, cancellations, accidents and other issues affecting passengers, including disabled ­passengers.

Transport minister Norman Baker said: “We want people taking coach trips and long-distance bus journeys to get a fair deal.”