The licences of RJ’s of Wem Ltd and RML 2418 Ltd have been revoked by the Traffic Commissioner (TC) for Wales, Nick Jones, with effect from 0001hrs on Monday December 19, 2016.
Former directors of GHA Coaches, Gareth Lloyd-Davies and Arwyn Lloyd-Davies, were both directors of RJ’s of Wem and RML 2418 from May 7, 2015 until September 2016, when Sally Ann Lloyd-Davies took over as director of both licences on September 7, 2016. RJ’s of Wem was authorised to operate four vehicles, while RML 2418 had authorisation for three.
Both licences were revoked due to lack of financial standing. The TC highlighted the extensive failings at GHA Coaches brought on by lack of finances and did not want to allow a similar occurrence from two other operators previously run by the same directors which also did not have sufficient evidence of financial standing.
The DVSA had concerns relating to repute, and evidence of financial standing in relation to RJ’s was provided, but it referred to potential income together with monies which were not necessarily held.
The TC said: “Financial standing is not an academic issue in this case and, although I was not specifically asked, I made it clear that I was not minded to grant a period of grace.”
A 14 day postponement was allowed before the licences ended. Andrew Mytton, Public Transport Officer in Wrexham, said that five tenders awarded to the two operators had been awarded before the previous public inquiry involving GHA Coaches. While he expected a revocation of the two licences was a possibility, he said immediate revocation could cause problems with finding suitable replacements in time.
The Sally Ann Lloyd-Davies had asked the TC to accept the surrender of the RML licence and allow RJs to continue, which was not accepted by the TC. The operator also asked for a longer than 14 days. DVSA Vehicle Examiner Steven Lyon said that, having seen the PMI sheets, he would be satisfied that road safety was not being unduly jeopardised if a 14 day postponement was made, but had concerns if a longer period was allowed.
Sally Ann Lloyd-Davies said that if the licences were revoked she would make a new application, either in the name of a limited company or on her own personal behalf. She was not disqualified by the TC.
However, the TC said: “The issues before me that potentially went to repute might still be considerations when any new application is made.
“A new application would be considered on its merits, however she should be aware of the possibility of there being a public inquiry.”
