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Traffic Commissioners’ Annual Report reinforces modernising agenda and welcomes opportunity to fine bus operators for the benefit of the travelling public

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 10 September 2009

Britain’s bus and haulage regulators – the seven Traffic Commissioners based in Scotland, Leeds, Manchester, Cambridge, Birmingham and Wales, Eastbourne, and Bristol – have published their Annual Report for 2008-2009.

Senior Traffic Commissioner, Philip Brown, introduced the report, clearly setting out the key aims and responsibilities of the Traffic Commissioners.

Philip commented: “There were a number of concerns and uncertainties that Traffic Commissioners needed to face, not least the appointment of the first statutory Senior Traffic Commissioner and other new provisions contained in the Local Transport Act 2008. During the year we moved our modernising agenda forward and published a draft strategy which has received a positive response from stakeholders.

“We continue to support and share the Government’s goals of improving bus regulation and exercising our new powers to the benefit of the travelling public, particularly the imposition of measures that are not limited to imposing monetary penalties on operators”.

Following a review of the various liaison meetings held between the Traffic Commissioners and VOSA support staff, Philip introduced Senior Traffic Commissioner and VOSA liaison meetings where VOSA staff from the centralised licensing office, the investigation arm of VOSA and representatives of those who staff the offices of the Traffic Commissioners locally meet together with the Senior Traffic Commissioner and a Traffic Commissioner representative to address issues at a national level with a view to increasing the effectiveness of VOSA support to the Traffic Commissioners.

The report also contains individual overviews of each Traffic Area provided by the local Traffic Commissioners in addition to relevant statistical data.

The report can be viewed and downloaded at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/trafficcommissioners/annualreports/

Notes to Editors

1. There may be times when members of the public become concerned about the conduct of an operator, or want to object to the granting of a proposed operating centre in the vicinity of where they live, or are unhappy with the punctuality of a local bus service. If there is anything upon which you think that a Traffic Commissioner could take action then you can contact us at our offices or ask VOSA staff to investigate by contacting their national number: 0300 123 9000 or by e-mail: enquiries@vosa.gov.uk.
2. There are seven Traffic Commissioners, each supported by a number of deputies, covering eight traffic areas.
3. The Traffic Commissioners are statutorily independent Licensing Authorities responsible for bus, coach and goods vehicle operators and for local bus service registrations. They can also take disciplinary action against the licence of bus, coach and lorry drivers who commit road and certain other offences.
4. Prohibition notices can be issued by VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) following an inspection and can prevent a vehicle from being driven until it is roadworthy.
5. Traffic Commissioners have the power to revoke, suspend or curtail a company’s licence to operate buses, coaches and lorries if they are satisfied that a company is failing to ensure that its vehicles are maintained in a fit and serviceable condition when being operated on public roads. They can also take such action if they are satisfied that a company has failed to honour certain Statements of Intent made when they applied for their operator’s licence (i.e. that vehicles would be kept fit and serviceable and that the laws relating to the driving and operation of vehicles used under the licence would be observed).
6. Action can also be taken against PSV operators who fail to operate local bus services properly or in contravention of the registered timetable. Traffic Commissioners have the power to cancel or restrict local services an operator may run, or impose a fine if services have not operated on time or followed their correct route to a significant extent.

Contacts:

Kate Read
Phone: 0191 283 4007
kate.read@coi.gsi.gov.uk