Operator stops service, claiming it cannot compete with First
Police have launched an investigation into a bus company that suddenly stopped running its only service, the Scottish Herald has reported.
City Sprinter, which runs services between Eastwood Toll, East Renfrewshire, via the southside to Glasgow city centre, withdrew the service on Thursday, July 2. Drivers who turned up to the company’s depot in Barrhead at 0700hrs were told that the buses could not be taken out on the roads.
The Traffic Commissioner responsible for licensing and regulation in Scotland, Joan Aitken, had raised concerns about the ‘lawful operation’ of the fleet.
A spokesman for the Traffic Commissioner said: “Following information received, the Traffic Commissioner, Miss Joan Aitken, directed her staff to be in touch with this operator as the Traffic Commissioner had a concern about the lawful operation of City Sprinter Ltd’s vehicles.
“The Commissioner’s concern was not resolved and she referred her concern to Police Scotland.” A police spokesman said it was now looking into the company’s operating procedures. It is thought the 15 staff will lose their jobs.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “We have been given a report by the Traffic Commissioner and we are looking into the operating procedures of the company.”
City Sprinter main shareholder John Paul Healy said: “The company just couldn’t afford to run anymore. We’ve been struggling for a while now, trying to run against First Bus. It’s impossible.”
Mr Healy could not confirm if the drivers will be paid or season ticket holders refunded. John
Paul Healy was a director and named shareholder of Chiltern Travel, which was bought out of administration by Trevor Boorman earlier this summer (CBW1193, June 16, 2015).
