First Aberdeen makes the set!

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Following public enquiries ino the way First run buses in various parts of England, plus Scotland East and Glasgow, it looks Aberdeen is about to complete the set of operators pulled up before the TC, for reliability issues.

Probe into First in drive to find out why buses run late

traffic commissioner sparks public inquiry into quality and reliability of service

By Ross Davidson

Published: 15/03/2010

An international transport giant based in Aberdeen is to be investigated after a traffic commissioner expressed “extreme concern” about buses in the city running consistently late.

Bosses from First will appear at a public inquiry held by the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland next month to answer allegations that the company’s services are unreliable.

The company will also be questioned on the quality of its service in the aftermath of a two-month pay dispute where industrial action by 460 First workers led to reduced timetables.

All public transport firms in Scotland must apply to the traffic commissioner to introduce, change or remove services.

The commissioner cannot enforce changes, but can take action if agreed conditions for the provision of the service are not met.

After the inquiry, the traffic commissioner can impose a fine, reduce the number of vehicles First can run on its services, or suspend or revoke a licence for routes.

The traffic commissioner, Joan Aitken, is said to be “extremely concerned” First does not appear to be meeting the details of its services registered with her.

Aberdeen’s Mastrick and Sheddocksley Community Council chairman Steve Delaney will be among those giving evidence at the public inquiry at the Town House on April 6.

He wrote to the traffic commissioner raising concerns about the unreliability of First’s number 23 service between Summerhill and Heathryfold.

Mr Delaney said: “There have been problems with the services since a timetable change in February 2008, and two years is a long time to wait for reliable buses.

“We do not want this to be dealt with in any kind of draconian manner – all we want is buses which arrive on time.”

A letter to the community council from the Office of the Transport Commissioner said: “The traffic commissioner is extremely concerned that local services registered with her by the company do not appear to be running in accordance with the registered details.

“In normal circumstances the commissioner would contact the company to ask for a detailed explanation.

“However the traffic commissioner has, in view of other matters that have come to her attention, already decided that the company is required to show cause why she should not take disciplinary action against the licence held by the company due to local services not being operated as registered,” added the letter.

George Thomson, chairman of the Grampian Senior Citizens’ Forum, said the inquiry would come as a relief to pensioners living in the city who rely on First services.

He said: “This is the best news I have heard in a long time.

“They are virtually a monopoly in the city, and it is about time the effect of that is looked at. I do not think I am alone in thinking the service is, at times, nothing short of a joke.”

A spokesman for First confirmed the transport giant had been notified of the hearing. But he said the principal reasons for the inquiry were issues surrounding the company’s resumption of services after industrial action in September last year, as well as concerns held by the traffic commissioner over a change made on the firm’s board of directors in 2007.

The spokesman refused to give any more details about these concerns, but said: “We are hoping to improve the reliability and provision of our services with the changes to our routes and timetables being introduced on March 21.”