A failure to disclose links between Renown Transport Services and Eastbourne Coachways prior to a pre-pack sale have led to the revocation of the licences held by both companies by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Sarah Bell.
Following an Eastbourne Public Inquiry, the TC revoked the Renown licence with immediate effect and the Eastbourne Coachways licence with effect from 24 July, cutting the licence authorisation in the interim from 16 to eight vehicles.
The two Bexhill-on-Sea based companies were called before the TC after Renown entered financial difficulties and tried to save parts of the firm, with a view to resurrecting it via Eastbourne Coachways.
This left HMRC, trade creditors and some financial institutions out of pocket. Before that had become apparent, Eastbourne Coachways had applied to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner to get permission to operate Renown’s former bus services at short notice after Renown had cancelled its services without giving the required 56 days’ notice.
Highlighting the importance of providing a level playing field for all operators, the TC said that failing to complete forms and ignoring guidance, as these two companies had done, was a gross breach of trust.
Margins were tight, but if operators chose to operate coaches, bus or lorries, then there were rules to be met and the TCs were there to make sure that standards were maintained for public safety.
Forms and guidance were not just administrative paperwork. They were the “bedrock” on which TCs ensured road safety and fair competition.
