A consultation by the Government’s senior traffic commissioner includes proposals that would see Scottish football buses to only stops at pubs if a 'substantial meal' is also to be consumed.

In the consultation, "Guidelines for taking passengers to sporting events in Scotland consultation document", the Government's revised guidelines for Scottish football buses include:

• Unless directed by a police officer, PSVs may stop at premises where intoxicating liquor is sold only if it is sold ancillary to a substantial meal. Prior agreement for meal stops where alcohol is available should be sought from the operator’s relevant Dedicated Football Officer.
• Intoxicating liquor, flares and similar pyrotechnics, must not be carried on PSVs travelling to or from designated grounds. Operators will draw hirers’ attention to the requirements of the law, and drivers shall, as far as reasonably practical, supervise boarding passengers and check that they are not obviously carrying intoxicating alcohol, flares and similar pyrotechnics. Drivers will not be expected to carry out baggage or body searches, nor will they be expected to confiscate alcohol or to remove passengers without police assistance. Operators may add a condition of entry to the PSV that a voluntary search may be undertaken.

Richard Turfitt, Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain, said:

As Senior Traffic Commissioner, I have powers to issue Statutory Guidance and Statutory Directions to the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, these are referred to as the Statutory Documents.

The Statutory Documents are published to explain how the traffic commissioners work to deliver consistent and fair regulation of the transport industry and represents our efforts to modernise the licensing regime.

Annex C of Statutory Document 1: Good repute and fitness sets out the voluntary guidelines on the carriage of passengers to designated sporting events in England and Wales, specifically association football matches. These guidelines have been in place for a number of years, having been developed and agreed across a number of different stakeholders. These guidelines have historically applied to Scottish operators when conveying passengers to all football matches in England and Wales but have not previously been applied to matches held within Scotland.

Having recently consulted on updating the guidelines for England and Wales, I believe that it would be appropriate to consult on the introduction of the voluntary guidelines for designated football matches held within Scotland.

In order to help us understand whether the guidelines should be adopted in Scotland, we would like to hear from industry and its representatives and other stakeholders who have an interest in the carriage of football fans by PSVs. We invite you to offer your thoughts and contributions on the proposal.