Tight lips on cause of bus operator cessation

The government agency which checks buses’ roadworthiness has declined to say whether it gave a negative inspection on a Herefordshire bus operator whose services stopped abruptly this week.

Herefordshire Council said on Wednesday January 22 it had been notified by Lugg Valley Travel that it would no longer operate bus routes in the county “with immediate effect”.

The council said it then “worked tirelessly to ensure all of these routes are covered by other operators”.

Several individuals have alleged online that the move was prompted by a negative inspection of the company’s bus fleet by the government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) the day before.

An agency spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe vehicles and drivers.

“DVSA is unable to comment on, or confirm, any ongoing investigations.”

They added that DVSA does not have the power to remove a bus or coach operator’s licence, which falls to the government’s Traffic Commissioners.

The Traffic Commissioners office was asked whether Lugg Valley’s licence was under investigation.