The transport manager of SS Suncruisers has been disqualified for six months, with the operator itself granted a stay of execution provided he is replaced within three months.
The O-licence held by Jack Stephenson and Rosemary Stephenson, trading as SS Suncruisers, was called to a Public Inquiry (PI) before the Deputy Traffic Commissioner for the North East of England, Miles Dorrington, on September 10, 2015.
In addition, Terence Stephenson was also called before the Deputy Commissioner in respect of his role as transport manager for the existing O-licence.
A new licence application by Shoreline Starcruiser Buses Ltd was also considered at the hearing. Jack Stephenson and Rosemary Stephenson are the directors.
The inquiry was held in Leeds and took place after an investigation by DVSA. The investigation revealed shortcomings in the operator’s maintenance procedures and standards.
DVSA Vehicle Examiners inspected eight vehicles on April 20 and 21 this year, following the death of a contracted mechanic, Neil Brown. Neil, who was a family friend of the business, was working underneath a vehicle when it collapsed, though it was found that the operator was not to blame and there had been long term concerns about the mechanic’s workmanship.
The vehicle examiners found defects on all of the vehicles they inspected, leading them to issue prohibition notices to each vehicle. They also found that some vehicles were not having routine safety inspections on time, instances of repairs not being recorded against defects identified on vehicles by drivers and during safety inspections and daily defect checks by drivers that were not fully effective. The examiners also reported other issues with maintenance records.
The Deputy Traffic Commissioner additionally heard that a vehicle operated by SS Suncruisers had been prohibited by the Police on April 18, 2015 for a brake that was not working.
After hearing evidence from the DVSA examiners, operator and transport manager during the inquiry, Mr Dorrington made an order to revoke the existing O-licence with effect from December 10, 2015.
He also disqualified Terence Stephenson from acting as a transport manager until at least March 10, 2016.
The new licence application by Shoreline Starcruiser Buses Ltd will be held in abeyance until a new transport manager has been nominated by the company. The business has until December 10 to appoint a new transport manager and for this to be approved by the Traffic Commissioner. If this does not happen the application will be refused.
The existing licence will be revoked earlier if the new application is granted before December 10.
