Bus and lorry firms get roads ban

A Perthshire bus company which tried to interfere with services run by rivals Stagecoach has been ordered off the road for three-and-a-half years.

The traffic commissioner for Scotland found that Bankfoot Buses tried to mislead the public by using similar branding and uniforms to their rivals.

Meanwhile, Forfar haulage company Sandy Kydd Road Transport has been banned from operating for five years.

The firm's seven drivers have had their lorry licences suspended or revoked.

'Financial greed'

The deputy traffic commissioner for Scotland found that the drivers, including Mr Kydd himself, had driven for longer periods than they were allowed by law and had not taken the minimum amount of rest.

Six of the drivers had also created false tachograph records.

Richard McFarlane ruled: "This is a very bad case. I am astonished that Mr Kydd has conducted his business in such an unlawful manner.

"I am in no doubt that he knew his drivers were unable to carry out the work he assigned them without significant breaches of the drivers' hours rules and regulations.

"The sole motivating factor in this case is financial greed.

"The industry must be aware that the practices employed by Mr Kydd and his drivers will not be tolerated."

'Unprofessional behaviour'

In the case against Bankfoot Buses, it was found that a forged operator licence disk had been used and that the firm had interfered with bus stop arrangements in Perth town centre to the detriment of road safety, traffic management and public expectations.

A public inquiry heard that they tried to boost their sales, and create ill-will towards Stagecoach, by offering free buses, mulled wine and charitable donations.

The traffic commissioner for Scotland, Joan Aitken, ruled that the company and the directors, Stuart Newing-Davis and Sarah Ann Newing-Davis, should be banned from holding or applying for a bus operators licence for three years and six months and should be fined £1,650.

Ms Aitken said: "This is a serious case of wilful disregard of the regulatory regime and of very unusual and unprofessional behaviour.

"The operator's on-off approach to when he would run his registered services is as bad as it can get.

"The company and its directors must be put beyond public service vehicle operating for a good period of time."

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