Section 64: Additional sanctions for failures by bus operators
178.This section amends section 155 of the TA 2000, which enables the traffic commissioner to impose financial penalties on operators who fail to operate local services satisfactorily. The amendments would empower the traffic commissioner, either as an alternative or in addition to a fine, to make an order requiring the operator to spend a specified sum of money on providing, or making specified improvements to, specified local services or facilities, or requiring the operator to compensate the passengers on such services. Compensation could take the form of free or reduced price travel for a period of time. There is a provision for further sanctions to be prescribed by regulations, and such regulations would be made by statutory instrument subject to affirmative resolution by both Houses of Parliament (or, as respects Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales).