A BUS firm called to a disciplinary inquiry amid concerns over vehicle roadworthiness has been issued a final warning by North Western Traffic Commissioners.

The inquiry, yesterday, heard that Blue Bus and Coach Services Ltd, who operate local services and school contracts in Bolton, had a poor track record of vehicle maintenance resulting in prohibition notices being served on several vehicles by inspectors.

One incident involved a coach losing a wheel at Wigan Bus Station last October after the driver failed to check out strange noises coming from the vehicle.

The public inquiry at Trafford Magistrates Court, which was the second the company had been summoned to in four years, followed an investigation by the Vehicle Inspectorate after a fleet inspection of 28 vehicles in March.

Of the vehicles inspected three prohibition notices and 18 defect notices were served.

Vehicle engineer Colin Waddilove, for the Department of Transport, said many of the problems were down to age of vehicles in the fleet and fitters at the company missing defects during checks.

However he said: "The overall impression was that the company was making steady improvements."

The managing director of Blue Bus, Mr Roger Jarvis said since the inspection vehicles were now being inspected more regularly with older vehicles checked every three weeks and newer vehicles every four weeks.

The company had also introduced a scheme to make employees accountable after drivers failed to alert engineers of problems such as oil and petrol leaks with vehicles.

Drivers were now required to check their vehicles at regular intervals during the day.

Mr Jarvis added: "We have always tried our best to provide a good service to the travelling public.

"However we have been caught up in maintenance problems recently.

"We are replacing older vehicles when we can afford to and we are taking other steps too."

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