Parents' fury as bus firm in licence fight

A school bus company ordered off the roads due to a series of safety faults is fighting the decision, it emerged today.

Parents in South Staffordshire are furious at the move by Warstone Motors, trading as Green Bus Service.

They are threatening to withdraw their children from their school in Brewood because it is served by the firm. The Great Wyrley-based company was told by the Deputy Traffic Commissioner two weeks ago that its licence will be revoked for a year from July 1.

However, the appeal means that bosses can continue operating a normal service until the outcome.

The firm appeared before the Traffic Commission in Birmingham last month over maintenance lapses including MoT failures, four expired tax discs, loose wheel nuts, leaking fuel gauges and a bald tyre.

Inspectors from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, which oversees MOT testing, found 60 defects in the company's 20 vehicles following one visit. The firm was unable to produce safety records to the inquiry.

Warstones Motors has contracts with Staffordshire County Council to run school and passenger routes and has recently tendered successfully to transport youngsters from Coven, Wheaton Aston, Bishops Wood, Penkridge and other villages to St Mary's RC Primary in Brewood.

Civil servant Jill Nall, of Saxon Road, Penkridge, said today: "We are prepared to withdraw our children from St Mary's, even though it is the only Catholic school in the area, because we cannot take the risk that the company wins the appeal.

Solicitor and mother-of-three Elena Round, 39, of Acton Trussell, said: "We intend to take the campaign to other schools."

Staffordshire County Council spokesman Tom Hobbins said: "Warstone Motors has lodged an appeal with the transport tribunal against the decision of the traffic commissioner. We are now awaiting the outcome."

Green Bus Service is in no way connected to The Green Bus or The Green Transport Company, based in New Street, Birmingham.