Stagecoach faces losing licence

Spot checks were carried out on the buses

A decision by a public inquiry into the performance of the bus company Stagecoach in Exeter has been deferred.

The inquiry in Bristol by the area traffic commissioner heard from bus monitors that too many buses in Exeter were running either too early or too late.

A team from the Vehicle Inspectorate carried out spot checks in the city between July and September.

Of 742 buses monitored, 82 were not seen in service, and 123 were not running to time by more than a minute early or by more than five minutes late.

Around half of the buses running outside timetable times were found to be early.

If the complaints are proved, Stagecoach could be fined up to £550 for each vehicle or have its licence revoked.