A coach operator who failed to tell the Office of the Traffic Commissioner that it didn’t have a transport manager has been banned from running vehicles. 

Deputy Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, Hugh Olson, said action was necessary to correct the unfair advantage the operator gained over others. 

The absence of a TM impacted directly on safety standards, including two S marked prohibitions. 

At public inquiry, the operator’s solicitor admitted a root cause of the poor maintenance record was the absence of a transport manager. 

A partner in the business had deceived the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for at least eight years over the TM position. He also made a false declaration on paperwork in 2015. 

In his decision Mr Olson said that most operators, like you, invest time and money in having proper maintenance systems in place. 

He added that the disqualification would make it clear to industry how seriously this type of conduct is viewed. 

The licence was revoked on loss of repute. The partnership behind the licence had also been dissolved.

The Deputy Commissioner also refused a new licence application made by the remaining partner.

READ: transport manager guidance