Bus firm fined after 'string of poor decisions'

Many people were left stranded when bus services suddenly stopped operating

A bus company that was widely lauded when it started taking on previously axed services has been fined after collapsing.

Transpora Bus suddenly stopped operating routes in the South West, including Bristol, in July - leaving many passengers stranded.

One of its former regional operations managers, Rhys Hand, has been banned from running any public transport company for five years.

An inquiry found the Transpora South West brand folded because of a relationship breakdown between Mr Hand and the firm's owner Phillip Higgs.

The inquiry, led by the Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney, heard there were various incidents of concern, including buses that were not taxed, a school bus service in Dorset that kept breaking down or not showing up, and a bus left abandoned on an A-road.

Mr Rooney fined the company - which still operates in other parts of the UK - more than £8,000 - the maximum allowed.

He claimed in a report of Mr Hand that "telling the truth appeared to be a lifestyle choice" for him.

Both Transpora Bus and Mr Hand declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.

'String of poor decisions'

Transpora Bus started operating in Bristol in 2022 after the collapse of another firm, Bristol Community Transport, taking on abandoned bus routes.

Writing in the traffic commissioner report, Mr Rooney said: "This is not a case of services running a bit late or of a small percentage of lost mileage.

"These are services, relied upon by citizens, ceasing, in effect, overnight due to mis-management of an operation.

"I can identify no external factors, no reasonable excuse.

"It is a result of a string of poor decisions and poor management that led the business to the point where it had no alternative."

Mr Rooney added in the report that the "good repute of Philip Higgs is intact".