Buchanan's bus was in a 'shocking state'
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• Scottish bus operator William W Buchanan has lost his PSV licence because one of his vehicles, being used to carry schoolchildren, was found to be in a "shocking state".
The catalogue of defects reported by senior vehicle examiner George McCallum included the following: O Tyres devoid of tread over a large area 0 An extensively cracked windscreen O Excessive play on the steering wheel O The driver's lower glass was shattered O A large drum of oil and a wheel and a tyre were jammed under a seat.
The problems began last March, said McCallum, when someone complained about the state of a bus with East Kilbride coach operator William W Buchanan after it had broken down on a school run. The 25-seat vehicle — which Buchanan had no authority to operate — was inspected and given an immediate prohibition notice marked "neglect".
Another minibus was given an immediate prohibition for six defects including a deflated tyre and a hole in its floor. Buchanan's vehicle was subsequently presented for annual test, but clearance from the prohibition was refused and 10 more items were endorsed "neglect".
The bodywork was extensively corroded and many of the original faults had been poorly repaired.
The minibus was presented again on 19 May but once again clearance was refused.
A further prohibition endorsed "neglect" was issued for six dangerous defects and six other defects.
McCallum said that when Buchanan had been asked why he was unable to produce any inspection records, he had said that they had been torn up and burnt by the person who had inspected the vehicles after the prohibitions were issued.
Buchanan said he had paid a Peter Torrance to be his transport manager up to the end of December, paying him in cash in plain envelopes.
He had not notified the traffic commissioner when Torrance had ceased to be his transport manager because he had not wanted to lose his licence. He had since enrolled in a course to obtain his own CPC and in the meantime a lecturer at the Lothian College would act as his transport manager. He now had an agreement with the main Ford agents, Laidlaws, for the maintenance of his vehicles.
Buchanan said that he had believed that the 25-seater was classed as a minibus, admitted that he had been driving it at the time, but said that he had understood it to be in good condition.
Scottish Traffic Commissioner Hugh McNamara said that both vehicles had been in a terrible state and there was not a shred of evidence that they had ever been inspected.
For Buchanan, Michael Whiteford said arrangements had now been made with a reputable garage and he asked that Buchanan be given a chance to show that he could operate properly.
McNamara said that the licence would die at the end of January but he gave Buchanan a second chance by deferring his full decision until the end of January 1989.
He warned Buchanan that if he wanted to get a fresh licence he would have to come forward with a satisfactory transport manager, a bus maintenance contract with an outside agency, and a reassuring financial statement.