Manchester-based Sulaimon Yusuff was successful in his bid for a one-vehicle restricted licence after undertaking to employ a consultant to install systems to comply with the drivers’ hours and working time legislation, and in nine months’ time to have an independent audit of his drivers’ hours and working time records.
Mr Yusuff had sought the licence before Deputy Traffic Commissioner (DTC) Jane Salt at a Golborne Public Inquiry.
When asked whether he had considered seeking a national licence and obtaining a Transport Manager qualification, Mr Yusuff said that he had never managed transport before. A restricted licence would be an entry port to see what the industry was like and gain experience.
He also wanted to keep his main occupation in IT and he wanted the licence to enable him to earn extra income to provide for his family. He had worked as a bus driver until about 2007. His IT job was working for Manchester University checking software where the hours were flexible, and he was paid by the software company.
After the DTC had said that his contract for a full-time role with the software company had only been signed on 20 December and was for 37.5 hours a week, Mr Yusuff said he had previously been on temporary contracts. The use of the licence would be mainly at the weekends and he would be able to take sufficient rest as his hours were flexible. As long as he did the IT jobs they did not worry if it took a shorter time.
At the moment he did not have it in mind to operate full-time in the PSV industry. He estimated the minibus would earn £7,000 to £8,000 a year and he would design his own website if the licence was granted.
After the DTC had said that he could earn £500 a week with a minibus, Mr Yusuff said he did not know whether he could earn that much with a 16-seater taking into account insurance and the running costs.
Agreeing that he had not taken into account the Working Time Directive which meant he would only be able to do two five-hour jobs a week, he said he might consider seeking a national licence in the future when he had some experience. The plan was to put a proper structure in place.
