Minibuses must be in a safe condition
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THE NORTH Western Traffic Commissioners are very disturbed about the attitude of some operators towards mini-buses: whether they have a public service vehicle licence or not they must be kept in a roadworthy condition.
This was made clear by the chairman, Roy Hutchings, after Raymond Travis, a partner in William Travis Coaches, Droylesden, Manchester, had said minibuses tended to get neglected as they were not looked upon as coaches.
The commissioners were considering revoking or suspending the firm's psv licences at Manchester last week.
After hearing that the firm's minibus, used to carry handicapped children, had been prohibited for a large number of serious defects "indicative of extreme neglect" the commissioners decided to suspend the licence of that vehicle for one month. Evidence was given by a vehicle examiner that the firm operated two 53— seater coaches and the minibus. When he visited the premises in August he found there was no set inspection programme and no maintenance records were being kept.
Work appeared to be carried out on the vehicles only when repairs became necessary.
Earlier in the year, in April, one of the coaches received a prohibition for five serious and 12 advisory defects.
The minibus was given a delayed prohibition but nothing was done about a number of advisory defects. When it was again inspected in July a large number of serious defects were found.
As a result the annual inspection of the second coach was brought forward and that vehicle received an immediate prohibition for six serious defects.
Mr Travis said he had been in partnership with his mother since 1966 and all three vehicles now had certificates of fitness.
Maintenance records had been kept since the examiners' first visit in April and in August there had been a misunderstanding as it was only for the minibus that records had not been kept.
He employed two full-time drivers and drove one vehicle himself. The firm held an excursion and tours licence and undertook private party work in addition to the contract to carry handicapped children and one for a work service which has just started.
After hearing that the firm had had a good record for 10 years until 1976, Mr Hutchings said the recent record clearly showed a lack of management control. In deciding not to put the firm out of business, the commissioners had taken into account that steps were being taken to put matters right.