LEZ regulations eased for coach tourism

Berlin, 11. May 2009 Tour coaches have been granted an exemption from the second phase regulations for Berlin's LEZ (Low Emission Zone), due to come into force on 1 January 2010. The new regulations impose a ban on vehicles in the inner city area if they do not have the requisite green sticker. The Berlin Senate has now agreed to exempt tourist coaches with yellow sticker (Euro norm 2) from the ruling for two years, allowing them to continue to reach the inner city sights.

The Senate's decision has been welcomed by Berlin Tourism Marketing (BTM), which vigorously called for the exemption. Coach visitors play a significant role in Berlin tourism and account for around 20% of all Berlin tourists. Berlin is continuing to build its reputation as a coach-friendly city. The new edition of "BusStop Berlin", published jointly by the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) and BTM, is scheduled to appear in time for the RDA International Coach Tourism Federation's Workshop in early August. "BusStop Berlin" provides coach drivers with all the information they need for their Berlin tour.

The practical folding map, published in English and German, not only marks special kerbside parking spaces and coach parks but also has important information for coach drivers from abroad on bus lanes, the height of bridges, and coach service stations.

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