Operators are concerned about the impartiality of three of the witnesses at the Transport Select Committee hearings about community transport (CT) in November, now that new information has come to light.
Sue Davey said she was representing the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers (ATCO), but failed to say that she was co-ordinating other ATCO Local Authority members to set up a special interest group into this. Nor did she disclose that Suffolk County Council employs her as a Community Transport Manager, and is a director CTA Trading Ltd.
Frank Philips told the Committee that he is Chairman of Erewash CT Ltd, but not that he is a councillor for Erewash Borough Council and that his wife is a Trustee of Erewash CT Ltd. He also did not disclose that he is MD of Derbyshire Community Minibuses Ltd (DCM), a trustee of Swandlincote Community Transport and had made an application for a 15-vehicle licence for DCM.
Anna Whitty, of Mobility Matters, failed to tell the Committee that she is CEO of Ealing CT and was also a director of three road transport companies.
In my view, they have massive conflicts of interest that should have been disclosed.
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