After section 144E (inserted by section 28 of this Act) insert—

“Training of staff

144FTraining about crime and anti-social behaviour

(1)

The holder of a PSV operator’s licence must ensure that the training requirement is fulfilled in relation to any person who—

(a)

drives a public service vehicle being used under the licence to provide a local service, or

(b)

on behalf of the holder of the licence deals directly with—

(i)

passengers travelling on vehicles being used under the licence to provide local services, or

(ii)

issues related to such passengers.

(2)

The training requirement is that, within the past five years, the person has completed training the aim of which is to assist the person to identify, respond appropriately to and, where safe to do so, prevent—

(a)

criminal offences that would cause a victim or potential victim of the offence to fear for their personal safety, and

(b)

anti-social behaviour, within the meaning given by section 29(1) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

(3)

The Secretary of State may by regulations require holders of PSV operators’ licences—

(a)

to keep such records relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as are specified or described in the regulations,

(b)

to publish, in such manner and at such times as the regulations specify, such information relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as is specified or described in the regulations, and

(c)

to provide to the Secretary of State such information relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as the Secretary of State may require.

(4)

The Secretary of State may issue guidance about compliance with the requirements of this section and of regulations made under it.

(5)

The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued under subsection (4).

(6)

The Secretary of State must publish—

(a)

guidance issued under subsection (4), and

(b)

any variation or revocation of the guidance.

144GApplication of training requirement: services in Wales

(1)

Subsections (1) and (2) of section 144F apply in relation to a local service which has one or more stopping places in Wales only if regulations made by the Secretary of State so provide.

(2)

But the regulations may not provide for those subsections to apply in relation to—

(a)

a local service that is provided in fulfilment of a duty imposed on the Welsh Ministers by an Act of Senedd Cymru, or

(b)

a local service to the extent that it is provided in Wales under a permit granted by the Welsh Ministers under an Act of Senedd Cymru.”

In section 155 (sanctions), after subsection (1ZD) insert—

“(1ZDA)

Where a traffic commissioner is satisfied that the holder of a PSV operator’s licence has, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with a requirement of section 144F or of regulations made under that section, the traffic commissioner may make one or more orders under subsection (1A)(a) or (d).”