The Traffic Commissioners’ annual report gives a snapshot of what has happened across the regulatory side of the industry over the last year
The annual report from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) to the Secretary of State often provides some interesting insight into the state of the regulatory side of the industry, as well as a general overview of goings-on across Wales, Scotland and England.
As explained in his foreword by the Senior Traffic Commissioner, the report seeks to provide an honest analysis of the challenges facing the Traffic Commissioner service, drawing on performance data, and offers an assessment of risks both practical and legal at the time of writing. As laid down in guidance, the Traffic Commissioners fulfil primarily a road safety function, whilst also playing a deterrent role around bus punctuality, though the broader passenger experience falls outwith their remit.
A year in numbers
Stats in the report show that some 3.7 billion local bus service passenger journeys were operated in the 2023-24 year, with local buses covering around 1.2 billion miles. Alongside 5,451 valid PSV operator licences and 88,664 authorised passenger vehicles, there were 66,821 valid goods vehicle operator licences and 373,318 goods vehicles. A total of 11,383 operator licence applications and variations were determined during the course of the year, and 11,332 local bus registrations processed. The Traffic Commissioners’ regulatory work encompassed 1,283 public inquiries and 156 preliminary hearings, alongside 15,584 vocational driver cases.
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