10-12-08 Tackling illegal bus and limousine operators
A crackdown on dangerous bus, coach and limousine operators was announced today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick as he launched a consultation on impounding illegally operated Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
The proposals would give new powers to the Vehicle Operator Standards Agency (VOSA) to take illegal vehicles off the road.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
“Illegal bus, coach and limousine operators put the safety of their passengers and other road users at risk and we are determined to force them off the roads.
“These proposals would give VOSA new powers to immediately impound vehicles they discover being operated illegally. A similar scheme for targeting illegal HGV operators has resulted in a significant fall in the number of illegally operated trucks on our roads. These new powers for VOSA will make our roads safer as well as help to level the playing field for law abiding operators who suffer from this unfair competition.”
The proposals affect vehicles with more than eight passenger seats - including buses, coaches, minibuses and large limousines. The Local Transport Act, which gained Royal Assent last month, introduced the primary powers that pave the way for the proposed new regime. Today’s consultation sets out details of how the regulations would work and asks for views.
Anyone interested in responding to the consultation document or finding out more about the proposals should visit www.dft.gov.uk for further information on the consultation and details of how to respond. VOSA are seeking responses no later than the 31st of March 2009. Operators who do not have an Operator’s licence, or are unsure as to whether they need one, should go to VOSA’s website, http://www.vosa.gov.uk for guidance.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The powers to impound vehicles will be available where PSVs are used to provide services for hire or reward, but where the operator does not have a valid operator’s licence. Other powers are already available to deal with un-roadworthy vehicles.
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator
licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Luke Bigwood on 0117 954 3208 or Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 10/12/2008