City coach company loses appeal

Joan Aitken, traffic commissioner for Scotland, found the firm had lied

The owner of a coach hire company banned from holding a public service vehicle operator licence for four years has lost his appeal.

The Transport Tribunal has ruled from 8 November coach hire company Browns of Edinburgh will be put out of business.

The company appealed the decision of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, Joan Aitken, after she called them to a public inquiry on 14 April, 2008.

The traffic commissioner found he firm had falsified drivers' hours.

She also found the company's actions had breached the European Working Time Directive and potentially put other road users at risk.

The Transport Tribunal decision stated: "This was one of the most serious types of case that could come before a traffic commissioner, for the use of 'ghost drivers', missing mileage and drivers' hours offences struck at the heart of the regulatory system which is there to promote and protect road safety and fair competition.

"We are satisfied that this was a bad case of systematic falsification involving Ronald and Rhona Brown and a number of drivers, including Ronald Brown.

"Finally the traffic commissioner rightly categorised this case as being extremely serious with the conduct causing grave risks to road safety and undermining the principles of fair competition.

"We have no hesitation in finding that the order of disqualification for four years was inevitable and proportionate."

Browns of Edinburgh lodged its appeal against the traffic commissioner's decision with the Transport Tribunal on 29 April, 2008.