The European Commission aims to set the EU’s official stance for managing international bus and coach transport through the Joint Committee of the Interbus Agreement Protocol. This move impacts transport operators, national authorities, and EU regulators, balancing streamlined governance with procedural clarity for international coach and bus services. Expect reactions from coach companies, regulatory bodies, and travel associations.
Published on January 14, 2026, by the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (MOVE), this document puts forward the EU’s position regarding the Joint Committee’s procedural rules under the Interbus Agreement’s extended Protocol. The Protocol covers international regular and special regular passenger carriage by coach and bus and requires formal governance structures.
The document is a formal proposal for a Council Decision (proposal COM(2026)5) authorizing EU representatives to support adopting the Committee’s Rules of Procedure. These rules are mandatory for operating the Committee effectively, outlining meeting protocols and Secretariat roles. Minor amendments can be accepted without restarting procedures. The decision relies on Articles 218(9) and 91 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), emphasizing the common transport policy.
By adopting these procedural rules, the EU strengthens the regulatory framework for international coach and bus transport, increasing oversight and coordination between member states through the Joint Committee. The decision boosts administrative cohesion but also extends EU integration in transport governance, potentially increasing administrative burdens on national authorities tasked with enforcement and compliance.
The proposal positively impacts EU transport regulators and passenger coach operators by clarifying operational procedures and ensuring smoother governance. Conversely, national authorities and smaller bus operators could face greater procedural complexity and compliance costs. Transparency will improve with the Rules of Procedure published in the Official Journal of the EU, benefiting the public and stakeholders.
This proposal marks an early but crucial step in operationalizing the Joint Committee’s work under the Protocol, expected to be followed by the Committee’s formal adoption of these rules. The Council’s decision will precede negotiations and potential amendments to future operational policies. The European Parliament and other transport bodies may engage subsequently as the governance framework evolves.