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No-show operator gets final chance to talk to his TAO
Page 33
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AN OPERATOR with a record of failing to turn up to public inquiries has had his licence revoked after he did not appear to answer a series of concerns about his maintenance systems.
The licence held by Slough-based Neil Johnstone, trading as Jays Transport was revoked and the licence held by Jays Transport, of which Johnstone is the sole director, was suspended with effect from the end of July, when he failed to attend a Bristol public inquiry before Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown.
Johnstone held a licence for 12 vehicles and two trailers; the company held a licence for six vehicles and two trailers.
Vehicle examiner Tony Hurdle said he had carried out a fleet inspection following the issue of an S-marked prohibition showing a serious maintenance failure. He examined two tractor units and a trailer belonging to Johnstone and found faults with the lights and tyres.
What inspection records could be produced showed intervals between inspections of between eight and 22 weeks — one trailer had no records after April 2003. No driver defect reports could be produced and there was no proper planning system. One vehicle operated by the company had attracted a defect notice for worn brakes:There were gaps in the maintenance records of up to 11 weeks and, again, no driver defect reporting system. He felt that Johnstone was trying but was not fully aware of what he should be doing.
Revoking Johnstone's licence, the TC said warning letters had been issued in 1998 and 1999 followed by a public inquiry in September 2001 which Johnstone also failed to attend. A formal warning had been issued, followed by another in October 2002 when the licence was curtailed. Financial evidence had been requested but was not produced.
Suspending the licence from the end of July, the TC said that gave time for it to contact the Traffic Area Office for the situation to be reviewed. If there was no contact the licence would be suspended indefinitely.