On 31 July 2020, the rules of the Mobility Package were published in the Official Journal of the European Union, which will gradually enter into force this year and in the following years, changing the way in which road freight transport is provided within the European Union. Significant changes are also expected in the operation of Latvian road hauliers.
It is known that the costs for Latvian road hauliers will increase significantly due to new European conditions. The industry acknowledges that much can no longer be done, but solutions are still being sought to address the crisis. The development of the Mobility Package for road freight transport took more than three years.
The head of the Road Transport Directorate explains that the changes will be related both to the organization of working and rest time and the provision of a minimum wage in the European Union for drivers, and to the conditions that must be met for a haulier to work in the field. Basically, these conditions will increase costs for Latvian road hauliers.
The new requirements are expected to be introduced gradually in the coming years. As of today, there is a rule that makes work more difficult. The carrier must ensure that drivers return home or in the country of establishment every four weeks. This is disadvantageous for the outermost countries of the European Union, given the remoteness of the transport center. The conditions also stipulate that the driver may not spend regular rest in the car.
There will be higher costs for road hauliers, but in the end everything is paid for by the end consumer. Accordingly, goods could become more expensive in stores. Latvia’s future actions are not yet clear. “In a situation when transportation by rail is falling, every effort must be made to maintain the volume of freight transportation by road,” said Allans Aukštikalns, a member of the board of Dinotrans.
Source: TV3 news and atd.lv
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