Newport Transport to face Public Inquiry

[Dai Corner]

From this week's Notices & Proceedings from the Traffic Commisioner for Wales.

Newport Transport is one of the few remaining 'municipal' bus operators, being wholly owned by Newport City Council. Most of the Directors are Councillors as opposed to having industry or financial backgrounds.

I don't know enough about transport law to say what the enquiry is about, but the Company has been in financial difficulties for some time and I seem to remember there being issues with maintenance.

Public Inquiry (82084) to be held at The Municipal Buildings, Gelliwastad Road, Pontypridd, CF37 2DP, on 9 September 2020 commencing at 13:30
PG0000397 SI
NEWPORT TRANSPORT LTD
Director(s): THOMAS WENGER WEST KNOWLES, DAVID JENKINS, SCOTT PEARSON, WILLIAM HUGH HAMILTON LANGSFORD, MORGAN STEVENS, JANE HELEN MUDD, DEBORAH ANN HARVEY, MARK JOHN SPENCER, JAMES JOHN CLARKE, WILLIAM JAMES ROUTLEY, OWEN IDRIS JAMES
160 CORPORATION ROAD, NEWPORT, NP19 0WF

S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985)
S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)

TM Public Inquiry (Case ID: 430198, Public Inquiry ID: 92380) for SCOTT PEARSON to be held at The Municipal Buildings, Gelliwastad Road, Pontypridd, CF37 2DP,
on 9 September 2020 commencing at 13:30

Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009[

 

[MotCO]

From this week's Notices & Proceedings from the Traffic Commisioner for Wales.

Newport Transport is one of the few remaining 'municipal' bus operators, being wholly owned by Newport City Council. Most of the Directors are Councillors as opposed to having industry or financial backgrounds.

I don't know enough about transport law to say what the enquiry is about, but the Company has been in financial difficulties for some time and I seem to remember there being issues with maintenance.

Section 17 of the Public Pasengers Vehicles Act refers to revocation or disqualification, e.g. if the transport manager no longer satisfies section 14Z (whatever that is!)
Section 26 of the 1985 Transport Act considers where services fail to be operated or vehicles are not properly maintained, amongst other things.
Section 28 of the 1985 Transport Act seems to deal with revoking the Operator's Licence and disqualifying the PSV Operator.

 

[Dai Corner]

Thanks.

It seems pretty serious then. An operator like this losing its licence must be very unusual.

 

[pdeaves]

Thanks.

It seems pretty serious then. An operator like this losing its licence must be very unusual.

Presumably, if it's a public enquiry, it's more akin to a fact finding thing than actual loss of licence (which would, I assume, be a different process). But yes, serious.

 

[duncombec]

I think this came up last year (perhaps with regard to Transdev/Rosso?), that the relevant sections are very wide-ranging and have a variety of penalties. If you try reading the relevant section, you'll see they cover just about anything, if you can get through the dense legalese.

It is quite plausible it could be something as "simple" as poor timekeeping, right up to maintenance. Are the Transport Manangers called under a separate enquiry?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think this came up last year (perhaps with regard to Transdev/Rosso?), that the relevant sections are very wide-ranging and have a variety of penalties. If you try reading the relevant section, you'll see they cover just about anything, if you can get through the dense legalese.

It is quite plausible it could be something as "simple" as poor timekeeping, right up to maintenance. Are the Transport Manangers called under a separate enquiry?

Quite true. The various clauses and provisions seem very serious and daunting but those are the maximum sanctions. We have to wait to see what the specifics of the case are because, as you say, Transdev were similarly called.

 

[M803UYA]

s26 relates to 'registered particulars' - so would relate to a monitoring exercise that's been done, presumably there's been non operation of services, or early/late operation of services.
s28 is usually cited when there are maintenance issues. Could be there has been a fleet check by DVSA (they pick a quiet time usually such as 0600ish in the morning), an accumulation of PG9s, or a high fail rate on MOTs. Fleet is quite old so they're going to need more maintenance. Nothing wrong with an old fleet, as long as you properly maintain it!

It's not normal for both sections to be listed - you'll always see s16/17 on the call ups. Normally where are issues with registered services s155 of the 2000 Transport Act gets mentioned.

Clearly there are some issues that the Welsh TC remains unsatisfied with, it is possible for cases to be heard in chambers, avoiding the need for a PI. Have NT been called up before? If so, will explain why this has gone to PI.

 

[CN04NRJ]

s26 relates to 'registered particulars' - so would relate to a monitoring exercise that's been done, presumably there's been non operation of services, or early/late operation of services.
s28 is usually cited when there are maintenance issues. Could be there has been a fleet check by DVSA (they pick a quiet time usually such as 0600ish in the morning), an accumulation of PG9s, or a high fail rate on MOTs. Fleet is quite old so they're going to need more maintenance. Nothing wrong with an old fleet, as long as you properly maintain it!

It's not normal for both sections to be listed - you'll always see s16/17 on the call ups. Normally where are issues with registered services s155 of the 2000 Transport Act gets mentioned.

Clearly there are some issues that the Welsh TC remains unsatisfied with, it is possible for cases to be heard in chambers, avoiding the need for a PI. Have NT been called up before? If so, will explain why this has gone to PI.

They had a surprise inspection by the DVSA a few months ago, several vehicles given PG9s etc.

 

[M803UYA]

They had a surprise inspection by the DVSA a few months ago, several vehicles given PG9s etc.

That will be one reason for the call up then.

 

[anthony263]

Peyton travel in Bridgend been called up many times for vehicles maintenance yet are still operating.

I've lost count of how many times clayton Jones was up during his time

 

[Busaholic]

I doubt this is all about one random inspection, unless that raised all these issues. It suggests to me that a close eye has been kept on Newport's operations of late, probably covertly.That might have been the result of a 'whistleblower' or, possibly, someone knowledgeable from a rival bus company. 'Loss of financial repute' should not be an issue with such a company, but these days you can't be too sure. Then a co-ordinated unannounced, but not random, inspection might have taken place, in which I'm sure maintenance matters would loom large.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I doubt this is all about one random inspection, unless that raised all these issues. It suggests to me that a close eye has been kept on Newport's operations of late, probably covertly.That might have been the result of a 'whistleblower' or, possibly, someone knowledgeable from a rival bus company. 'Loss of financial repute' should not be an issue with such a company, but these days you can't be too sure. Then a co-ordinated unannounced, but not random, inspection might have taken place, in which I'm sure maintenance matters would loom large.

They've been operating a very poor service for a long time - apparently around school times the regular timetabled services would drop as low as 25% to enable schools to run as they were that short of drivers/vehicles.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They've been operating a very poor service for a long time - apparently around school times the regular timetabled services would drop as low as 25% to enable schools to run as they were that short of drivers/vehicles.

I had an unscientific trip around South Wales last year, mainly on Stagecoach but also some Newport Bus vehicles. I said at the time that the operation had a whiff of death about it.... the aged fleet was an obvious thing but the archaic route network, the differing images etc. One OmniCity had a nice line in gaffer tape to keep interior cove panels in place.

It's had the competition from NAT and Fuxstar and managed to just about survive. I'd hoped that I'd seen NB at its lowest point and with new electric vehicles, that would be a start in improving things so Covid and a PI are not what was required!

 

[markymark2000]

It's had the competition from NAT and Fuxstar and managed to just about survive. I'd hoped that I'd seen NB at its lowest point and with new electric vehicles, that would be a start in improving things so Covid and a PI are not what was required!

Foxstar weren't around for long though to be fair.

 

[Great_Western]

They've been operating a very poor service for a long time - apparently around school times the regular timetabled services would drop as low as 25% to enable schools to run as they were that short of drivers/vehicles.

Back when my local service (17, 18, 19) ran every 10 minutes, the tactic was often to cancel 4 of the 6 hourly services, running the remaining two as the "19E" which covered the main segment of most of the estates. It was pretty shocking really, and they have become sort of a running joke around here.

That said, with them finally moving to the ticketer platform allowing contactless payments, the arrival of electric vehicles and the reliability of services starting to improve somewhat, I thought they were starting to turn a corner. Obviously not.

In terms of the fleet, my biggest worry is that the EV's won't replace the knackered, unreliable ex Metroline Darts, but the Omnicities instead, which aren't *that* bad. The E200's are also in a really poor state too, especially given the oldest is less than 11 years old.

 

[Dai Corner]

I wonder whether NT underbid on the school services to get the contract back off NAT? They are registered as public but just try boarding one, even when you've been waiting for half an hour for your bus and a dozen children have just got off so there are clearly seats available.

The Ticketer machines are capable of tracking. I know the public app isn't available yet but I wonder if the info is still collected and will be made available to the Traffic Commissioner for his investigation?

 

[anthony263]

Darts can be very reliable if they are looked after.
Newport bus are supposed to be in a bad financial position compared to Cardiff bus but yet they can afford electric vehicles.

 

[Megafuss]

Darts can be very reliable if they are looked after.
Newport bus are supposed to be in a bad financial position compared to Cardiff bus but yet they can afford electric vehicles.

I believe the electric were purchased using the ULEB scheme. So Newport haven't bought the vehicles with their own cash. But your point still stands about financial performance, and that's before Covid.

 

[anthony263]

Yet Cardiff bus were also looking at electric buses through this scheme yet changed their minds after finding out they'd have to partially pay for these buses do decided its cheaper and better value to re-engine their 02 plate darts.

Stagecoach are also having electric buses for caerphilly depot

 

[Dai Corner]

Yet Cardiff bus were also looking at electric buses through this scheme yet changed their minds after finding out they'd have to partially pay for these buses do decided its cheaper and better value to re-engine their 02 plate darts.

Stagecoach are also having electric buses for caerphilly depot

Yep. Funded by the UK Government. I wonder if they'll carry wording to that effect and Union flags like EU-funded projects do?

 

[tramboy]

Stagecoach are also having electric buses for caerphilly depot

Although noting from their annual report that the Caerphilly electrics are delayed until 2021 at this point.

Stagecoach in South Wales

Discover more about Stagecoach in South Wales. Learn about our passengers, staff, services, fares, fleet, environment and community.

www.stagecoachbus.com

• £3.5 million investment postponed until after the coronavirus pandemic, for 16 full electric vehicles for Caerphilly town services to compliment and integrate with the TFW electric trains due in 2021.

From a webinar that is available on youtube, the Newport examples appear to be funded (at least partly) through the Zenobe investment scheme available to the industry which puts the cost on a fixed fee to the operator, and means the asset (and/or batteries) is owned by someone else. Unfortunately I can't find the link for that however.

The Ticketer machines are capable of tracking. I know the public app isn't available yet but I wonder if the info is still collected and will be made available to the Traffic Commissioner for his investigation?

If it's an inquiry into reliability, and they've the information available collected through Ticketer, then it would make sense to present it if it's in their interests to show operation of services for which they've been called up. As others have said, the TC will call operators to PI under all appropriate sections of the Act/s and it may actually be only one section under which they are duly sanctioned.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Yet Cardiff bus were also looking at electric buses through this scheme yet changed their minds after finding out they'd have to partially pay for these buses do decided its cheaper and better value to re-engine their 02 plate darts.

Stagecoach are also having electric buses for caerphilly depot

They haven't changed their mind, they're just postponed due to covid. In fact they've just appointed a new head of operations who has experience of delivering an ULEV (electric) fleet at a London operator.

They're not 're-engineing' (is that a word?) 02 plate darts, although some newer buses may be upgraded to euro 6.

Where do you get this nonsense from? A few months ago, according to you, Cardiff Bus were exiting Barry completely and a new operator called National Welsh were taking over all of Cardiff Bus' Barry services

 

[anthony263]

Thats what 8 heard from some if ypur colleagues and other members of staff at the time plus talking to drivers of other firms.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Thats what 8 heard from some if ypur colleagues and other members of staff at the time plus talking to drivers of other firms.

They're not my colleagues anymore and they're obviously feeding you rubbish information if that's true.

All the 02 plate darts are for sale, 213 has left and 218 was sold this week.

 

[anthony263]

No someone tells me Cardiff bus were selling those little 02 plate darts. 218 was one of my favourites

Personally found those 02 plates to be very nippy to ride on.

 

[Dai Corner]

Apparently Newport Transport received a formal warning (for service realibility and maintenance) and the Transport Manager (Scott Pearson) also received a formal warning.

 

[anthony263]

I think they were lucky but hope they uo their game as they do have an interesting fleet

 

[CN04NRJ]

Apparently Newport Transport received a formal warning (for service realibility and maintenance) and the Transport Manager (Scott Pearson) also received a formal warning.

Good, about time. Pearson is a menace and hopefully his successor will be announced sooner rather than later.

 

[GusB]

Apparently Newport Transport received a formal warning (for service realibility and maintenance) and the Transport Manager (Scott Pearson) also received a formal warning.

Do we have a source for this information?

 

[Stan Drews]

Good, about time. Pearson is a menace and hopefully his successor will be announced sooner rather than later.

Those who knew him during his Stagecoach (Assistant Operations Manager then Operations Manager) days were certainly surprised when he was appointed to his initial Director role at Newport!