By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Stagecoach ordered by TC to run free services in Exeter
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Legal > Stagecoach ordered by TC to run free services in Exeter
LegalNewsOperators

Stagecoach ordered by TC to run free services in Exeter

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: November 21, 2022
Share
Stagecoach Devon ordered to provide free services in Exeter
SHARE

Stagecoach Devon has been ordered to provide free services in Exeter on two weekends in December by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Kevin Rooney. It comes after the operator was called to Public Inquiry (PI) for matters including poor reliability, with an investigation by DVSA having found that around 21% of its services did not run to timetable. 

In a point that will resonate further afield, Mr Rooney underlines in his written decision that operators lacking sufficient driver resource to operate all journeys should reduce registered provision to a level that they can run reliably.

The value of the free services in Exeter will be £120,000. In addition, Stagecoach Devon has made a statement of intent that it will provide a member of staff during peak times at Exeter bus station to maintain displays and provide advice to passengers, at an estimated cost of £70,000 per year. 

Mr Rooney found that the operator had not been quick enough to act on its shortage of drivers, although he accepts that there is an industry-wide shortage of drivers due to multiple factors. The TC has also criticised the information provided to passengers, and he questions the reliability of the Bus Open Data Service in his decision.

Stagecoach Devon has already removed commercial mileage as a result of driver shortages and it has raised rates of pay, although Mr Rooney notes that 69 drivers had been allocated to the Commonwealth Games for a three-week period during the summer. 

“The question for me is whether the operator has taken sufficient action to have enough drivers or, alternatively or in addition, to deregister services to the level it can support,” the TC says in his decision. 

“Many of those who have complained to the operator, to [Devon County Council] or to me would not like the latter course of action, but it is a proper course to take if there is not sufficient resource to operate at pre-existing levels.” 

The order of free services in Exeter was made following an outline proposal for such from Stagecoach Devon that was subsequently presented in written form. Mr Rooney says he does not favour straight financial penalties for poor reliability, as they do “nothing to help those directly affected.” 

In its initial proposal, the operator said it needed to work out the financial impact and ensure that no competitor would be adversely affected. Had Mr Rooney ordered a financial penalty, at its uppermost scope it would have amounted to £234,850, less than the costs that will be incurred by Stagecoach Devon through the free services and provision of a staff member at Exeter bus station. 

“Taken together, the two measures would exceed the level of financial penalty I find to be appropriate,” the TC adds. Stagecoach Devon may apply to be released from the statement of intent about the additional member of staff “if the circumstances support it.”

Consideration of poor reliability at PI follows an earlier reduction of Stagecoach Devon’s vehicle authorisation by Mr Rooney as a result of an accident involving a double-decker.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article Strong leadership key to securing £47m for bus services in Derbyshire
Next Article Newport Transport orders two Yutong U11DD battery electric double deckers Newport Transport orders two Yutong U11DD ’deckers
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd