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MAINTENANCE of coaches operated by Pitcher's Coaches , Chatham had
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deteriorated since the managing director Erne Pitcher had suffered a heart attack 12 months ago, SERI Eastern Traffic Commissioners heard last week.
Sitting at Maidstone, the Commissioners were considerir revocation or suspension of the company's 17 licences togethi with an application for an additional minibus for Pilcher's.
Vehicle examiner Alan Sawkins said that he had investigate the fleet after he noticed the shabby condition of some of tt coaches.
In March he checked two vehicles and found nine defects, an in April the annual inspection of one vehicle uncovered I defects. Black smoke was being emitted and the horn was aim(); inaudible and fumes were leaking into the passenger compar ment.
Three of five coaches inspected in June were unsatisfactor with 16 defects being found.
The staff of two qualified fitters and one apprentice did nc appear to be able to cope with the work load and he had gaine the impression that vehicles left the workshop on occasion before the repairs had been completed.
Mr Sawkins agreed that once defects had been pointed out t e company they were quickly repaired.
Mr Pilcher said that things had gone down hill since his heart tack last year. He hoped to be able to return to the business ortly and his son and daughter were being made directors. The company had had its fair share of bad luck with a number breakdowns that could not be attributed to a lack of maintetrice and this had put pressure on the fitters.
Over the past two years the company had spent £47,000 on lares and tyres alone and there had been problems over the livery of spares.
New vehicles were introduced into the fleet each year and a .nn, system of maintenance had been instigated which he hoped ould improve the situation.
Asked to explain the absence of a first-aid kit and a fire ctinguisher from one coach, Mr Pitcher said that it could be put )wn to vandalism or even theft by passengers.
Revoking the licences for two coaches which were said to be if the road and granting the additional minibus licence, the aairman of the Commissioners, R. S. Thornton, said it was time ar the company to pull its socks up.
No further licences would be granted until there had been a atisfactory technical check in the future.