Blow to Coachlines
Page 23
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THE PSV OPERATOR'S licence of A and H Coachlines of Wakefield has been revoked by the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners because the company's managing director, Harry Tranter, had failed to notify them of changes in the constitution of the company.
Consideration of an application for a new licence by another of Mr Tranter's companies, Pheonix Coachlines, has been adjourned but the Commissioners have granted the company a short term licence until they have dealt with the substantive application.
Evidence was given that A and H owed a total of £16,935.74p to its former landlord, to a hotel group, to its chartered accountant, to two private individuals, and to three coach operators, S and M Coaches of Hadleigh, Wallace Arnold Tours, and Stringers Pontefract Motorways.
It was estimated it also owed a further £150 to £200 to Ambassador Tours International for work done and involved on a "blank" invoice.
Traffic examiner Derrick Senior said the company was formed by Hedley Hutchinson and Adrian Crook in 1982. In June 1983 Mr Tranter became involved with Paul Bell of Compass Coaches and Private Hire. That company was put into liquidation and a new company, Compass Coachways, was formed, the directors being Mr Bell, Mr Tranter and James Brocklesbank.
After that company had operated vehicles using the licence disc of the liquidated company, a meeting was held at the traffic area office. The licensing position was explained to Mr Tranter who said that in order to carry on the contract held by the liquidated company he had come to an arrangement with the directors of A and H for that company to be merged with Compass Coachways.
Mr Bell resigned as a director of Compass Coachways in June 1983. The following month Mr Hutchinson and Mr Crook were appointed directors and the name of the company was changed to Phoenix Coachways. "Off-the-shelf" company Gripshield was purchased.
Mr Brocklesbank was appointed secretary and Mr Tranter, Mr Crook and Mr Hutchinson directors. That company's name was changed to A and H Coachlines and A and H Coachlines's name was changed to Gripshield. Since July 1983 Phoenix Coachlines have been the trading name of A and H coachlines.
Mr Tranter said that they were two separate companies. The financial position of A and H prior to August 19, 1983, was not disputed. The debts of A and H had been sold to Gripshield and a new A and H Coachlines had been formed free of all debt.