Transport (Scotland) Act 2001

21 Postponement of quality contract scheme

(1) Subject to any regulations made under subsection (4) below, if it appears to the local transport authority who made a quality contract scheme reasonable to do so, they may postpone the date on which the scheme would, in so far as relating to a local service included in it, come into operation by virtue of section 20(1)(b) of this Act by such period, not exceeding 12 months, as they think fit.

(2) Before postponing a date under subsection (1) above, an authority shall consult all operators of local services who are, in the opinion of the authority, likely to be affected by the postponement.

(3) Not later than 14 days after the date on which an authority postpone a date under subsection (1) above the authority shall give notice of the postponement—

(a) in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area to which the scheme relates;

(b) to all operators of local services who are, in the opinion of the authority, likely to be affected by the postponement; and

(c) to the traffic commissioner.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision with respect to postponements under subsection (1) above.

(5) The regulations may in particular make provision—

(a) as to the maximum period of postponements; and

(b) requiring authorities to reissue invitations to tender in accordance with section 18 of this Act.