In a significant blow to Wolverhampton-based Travel Express Ltd, the Traffic Commissioner (TC) for the West Midlands has revoked the company’s operator’s licence and imposed a financial penalty of £8,250. This decision comes after a series of serious failings in vehicle maintenance and bus punctuality, which have caused considerable inconvenience to the travelling public.
Serious Failings Lead to Revocation
Travel Express Ltd has been under scrutiny for several years due to repeated offences related to vehicle maintenance and bus punctuality. The company appeared before the TC for the fourth time, with previous inquiries held in March 2016, November 2017, and November 2019. Despite previous penalties and warnings, the company failed to improve its operations, leading to the latest decision to revoke its licence.
The TC highlighted that the company had caused significant inconvenience to passengers, with a substantial number of bus services either running late or not operating at all. This consistent failure to adhere to schedules and maintain vehicles to the required standards ultimately led to the revocation of the licence.
Financial Penalty and Disqualification
In addition to revoking the licence, the TC imposed a financial penalty of £8,250 on Travel Express Ltd. This penalty reflects the severity of the company’s failings and serves as a deterrent to other operators who may neglect their responsibilities. The penalty must be paid in full before the licence is officially revoked.
Furthermore, the TC disqualified the company’s transport managers, Mr. Kishan Chumber and Mr. Nirmal Johal, for four and three years, respectively. Both managers were found to have lost their good repute, and the TC expressed doubts about their ability to rehabilitate and return to the industry.
Impact on the Travelling Public
The revocation of Travel Express Ltd’s licence and the cancellation of its registered bus services will undoubtedly cause further disruption to the travelling public. However, the TC expressed hope that a competent and reliable new provider would take over the affected routes, restoring confidence in the timetables and ensuring a more reliable service for passengers.
The decision underscores the importance of maintaining high standards in public transport operations and serves as a reminder to other operators of the consequences of failing to meet regulatory requirements. The travelling public deserves a reliable and safe service, and the TC’s decision aims to uphold these standards.