Bus firm has lost contract for county school runs
A BUS company has lost its contract to provide school bus services in Bridgend county after it had its licence revoked.
Peyton Travel had prohibition notices issued on its vehicles for mechanical defects, the Traffic Commissioner for Wales found.
The Commissioner also said the Bridgend-based company had breached public transport legislation by making a false statement and that “the operator no longer meets the requirement for professional competence as Paul Brain, full time transport manager, loses his repute and the remaining part-time one is not working sufficient hours”.
The same findings were made in respect of Peyton’s affiliated companies, Movereturn and Travelfinal, which also had their licences revoked.
A parent with a child who travels from Porthcawl to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, near Maesteg, said that on Monday, April 24, a bus from Gwyn Jones and Son turned up out of the blue instead of Peyton Travel.
The mum, who does not wish to be named, said they had received no prior notification that the bus company was being changed.
A council spokesman said: “Bridgend County Borough Council does not currently have any school bus contracts with Peyton Travel.”
It has also confirmed it has no school-related transport contracts with Movereturn or Travelfinal.
But, the Traffic Commissioner’s office has confirmed that prior to the revocation of its previous licence, Peyton had applied for another licence to run 26 vehicles and this has been granted by the Commissioner based around the company’s agreement to audits and full fleet inspections every six and 12 months.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has confirmed it currently has 10 school bus contracts with Peyton.
Emma Reed, head of visible services and transport at the Vale council said: “We will continue to undertake stringent spot checks on all buses used for school transportation and carefully scrutinise the companies that operate these services.
“The terms of these contracts will be strictly enforced and agreements terminated if necessary.”
A spokesman for Peyton Travel said: “It is correct that Peyton Travel did appear before the Traffic Commissioner for consideration of several issues, but in the main these were matters which were identified last September.
“The Traffic Commissioner did revoke the company’s operators licence. However, the Traffic Commissioner heard that the company was moving to new premises and was building a state-of-the-art workshop and facilities. Taking this into account the Commissioner granted a new licence to allow us to continue to operate with a line in the sand enabling us to operate with all the new facilities.
“Unfortunately, there was a period where we were waiting for confirmation of the grant of the new licence which meant the council had to retender the work as they could not be left in the position of having no operator if something went wrong and no licence was granted. We are ever mindful of our obligation to use compliant vehicles and look forward to many more years of safe working within the community and re-tendering for contracts.”