From the Daily Mail (via TNE)

Passengers are having to change bus partway through their journeys to comply with an EU directive. The legislation stops drivers clocking up more than 31 miles behind the wheel without a rest. If a journey is any longer, the driver must pull over and wait for a replacement. To comply with the directive, some operators are dividing routes into two or even three sections. Drivers are allowed to undertake journeys of more than 31 miles – provided they get two straight days off. Small companies are unable to guarantee this as easily as long-distance coach firms and are thus forced to divide trips as a result. Mark Howarth, who owns Western Greyhound in Newquay, Cornwall, says six of his routes have been changed to accommodate the Brussels directive.