The DfT has published its consultation on the future of Section 19 and Section 22 permits. It invites responses to its proposals, the favoured one among which spells significant change for – the DfT estimates – 46% of permit holders.
Upheaval is not unexpected. The legal challenge mounted by the Bus and Coach Association (BCA) leaves the government with little choice.
But a bitter pill for many community transport organisations will be the blasé way in which the consultation brushes aside how the situation has been allowed to develop by the government itself.
The DfT has buried its head in the sand over EU Regulation 1071/2009. The Regulation clearly states which road transport undertakings are exempt from the requirement to hold an O-Licence. It is written in plain English and it does not take a legal eagle to interpret it.
The DfT ignored that and hoped it would go away. It has not. The Department did nothing to address the problem of permits being issued and used incorrectly, while at the same time giving minibuses to some of the very same organisations involved.
What an unholy mess. The only positive is that it will soon reach a conclusion.
