Rochford, Essex-based Blueline Travel Ltd has had its license revoked by the Deputy Traffic Commissioner, Miles Dorrington. The company ran a coach brokerage service, having only two vehicles on its O-license.
According to its website, the company has dealt with approximately 800 operators for the supply of vehicles for customers.
Following a public enquiry, the firm was given two months to rectify a number of maintenance issues and its lack of a transport manager – but failed to do so.
The Deputy Traffic Commissioner blamed Director Kevin Danby for his lack of control over the business to ensure its compliance.
He said in his decision: “The operator knowingly operated without anything other than a name-only transport manager for nearly four years.
“As at the public inquiry, there is still no transport manager and at no point in time has there been a request for a period of grace.
“Not only has there been no effective transport manager, but the operator has gained a significant unfair commercial advantage over other compliant operators for the past four years.
“As at the public inquiry, there was little improvement in maintenance as evidenced by vehicle examiner, Mr Andrew Terry. In particular, the Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) sheets signed off by Mr Danby were meaningless because he confirmed he is not a certified PSV mechanic.
“Only a certified PSV mechanic can sign off a PSV PMI sheet as stated by vehicle examiner Mr Terry.
“I accept that there was some introduction of new systems and procedures, but this was all very much too little too late and there was no, or insufficient, tangible evidence to show it was working.
“For example, no tangible evidence to show that drivers had undertaken any training. There were forms and procedures but nothing to show a driver had read and understood them.
“As at the public inquiry, there was a long-standing history of a significant lack of management control by Mr Danby to ensure compliance.”
