SCHOOLS' contractor Hutchin's Coaches of Pontardawe, West Wales, had its
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six psv licences suspended indefinitely by South Wales Traffic Commissioners after persistent vehicle defects.
Prohibitions and defect notices had been issued against vehicles used on both schools and works contracts after "disturbing" faults in brakes, steering and tyres had been found.
Mr Hutchins said that he thought his existing premises were adequate but he was waiting for planning permission from Lliw Valley Council to carry out improvements.
He told the commissioners that he had recently cut his fleet from 14 vehicles to eight so that he could manage the business more easily.
Mr Hutchins said that he was less than satisfied with the standard of maintenance and realised the seripus risk that it put the business in. He agreed that there had been a number of suspensions of vehicles and defect notices.
Over the past three years, two fitters had been employed, but were no longer with the firm and Mr Hutchins, a qualified fitter, looked after his vehicles himself.
P. Douglas Jones for Mr Hutchins asked the commissioners to take into account the difficulties of running a small business.
It was a great deal for one man to ensure that schedules were adhered to and it was easy to see that paper work might be neglected.
Commissioners' chairman Ronald Jackson told Mr Hutchins that there was concern that the defects were in the three most important items of the vehicles, brakes, tyres and steering and that the vehicles were on schools contracts.
Mr Jackson added that it was impossible for one man to get everything done.
He said that the ban would come into effect 48 hours afterwards to allow Hutchins customers to make alternative arrangements.