Gravesend-based Manns Travel is being investigated by Kent Police. In a statement CBW was told: “Officers are making enquiries after receiving information about suspected uninsured vehicles.”
Manns Travel Ltd has an O-licence for 10 vehicles. Owens Coaches (Sidcup) Ltd at the same Enterprise House, Norfolk Road, Gravesend address also has an O-licence for 10 vehicles. According to the DVSA website, Bakhtawar Singh Mann is a director of Manns, Jasbir Singh Mann a director of Owens. Banjit Mann is Transport Manager for both. No one was answering either of the firm’s Kent phone numbers when CBW tried making contact. The London number on the Manns Travel website was ‘not recognised’.
“Manns Travel is your local, friendly, family run business serving Kent and London,” says Manns Travel on its website. “We take pride in offering great value for money, while also maintaining a reputation for reliability, courtesy and honesty.
“Manns Travel cover all areas of Kent and London for contract, schools or private hire work. Both our standard, luxury and exec vehicles are all equipped with seatbelts. Our luxury and executive vehicles feature air conditioning, reclining seats, DVD player, PA system, on board WC and Tea/Coffee making facilities. Our friendly drivers will make your journey with Manns an enjoyable experience.”
In a statement, a spokesman for Kent County Council (KCC) told CBW: “KCC was notified that Manns and Owens Travel would not be operating any bus or coach services from the afternoon of Thursday March 4. To ensure all passengers would be able to travel from that afternoon onwards, staff at the county council’s public transport department have made arrangements with other operators to provide replacement services in the interim. All schools affected have been kept informed and we expect that those interim replacement services will continue until the matter is resolved.”
