Recent Comment

Spectator defends Wilts & Dorset against the system that fined it £28,000, for operational irregularities. He points out that, throughout Britain, there are few measures that assist operators run to time. How can an operator possibly do so in car saturated urban Britain?

Traffic commissioners take the view that it doesn’t matter what you register so long as you operate it. This has ushered in an era of (a) slacker running times, (b) differential running times across the Monday to Friday peak/off-peak (something that goes to pot during school holidays!) and (c) in some cases fewer timing points. We posted on this in November 2005. The fact that these measures are now more common means the message is getting across to operators.

Provided that the operator does these simple (costly?) things, plus monitors its own performance, should this not be a good defence in demonstrating that he is taking all reasonable measures in combating punctuality problems? If the systems are present, isn’t the traffic commission being a touch unreasonable in taking harsh action?

No excuse for running early or for failure to display accurate destination or route number, but the vicissitudes of congested urban roadspace are never within an operator’s control, no matter how hard he tries to create the right punctuality culture with his schedules.

It’s as well, then, that under Putting People First, the government now wishes to see local authorities held to account for punctuality, as well as the operator, in partnerships at least. Such a good idea.

And perhaps this explains why W&D were fined what is a relatively small amount – an understanding of the issues involved.

Thank you to all those who have commented recently. More reaction to comments to follow soon...