Martin Allen (pictured) and the Bus and Coach Association (BCA) has worked to ensure that the law on Section 19/22 permits is applied correctly, to create a level playing field in the tendering process and that safety is paramount.
With regard to a small number of Community Transport Operators (CTOs), it is evident that they do sterling work in their communities. Many other CTOs have knowingly misused the permit arrangements.
What should follow is to pursue other means of funding for the deserved charitable organisations, and yet it now seems that John Taylor of TAS wishes to risk his and his company’s reputation in challenging what is EU law.
Anybody operating now on tendered work in this classification with a Section 19 licence, and drivers without the correct qualification following such issued information from the DfT, do so openly ignoring the law.
Let’s not also forget about the local authorities incorrectly operating their own services without the proper O-Licence and qualified drivers driving minibuses under the section 19 permit.
I am sure it was never Martin’s aim or future intention, but surely the membership to the BCA should increase.
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