Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions traffic commissioners have sanctioned (a) bus operators and (b) coach operators for failing to meet safety standards since 2000.

The data that is currently recorded for action taken against bus and coach operators does not identify specifically where the action has been as a result of failing to meet safety standards. The following data shows the number of public inquiries that were heard in relation to bus and coach operators where regulatory action was taken. This data is therefore where operators have failed to meet “licence” standards, such as financial standing, repute, undertakings as well as those relating to vehicle and driver safety standards.

The traffic commissioners recognise that additional data would be useful for completing the compliance picture and are already working with the Department and Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency through the Compliance Forum to deliver against that aim.