Change advocacy and delivery anchors TCs’ 2024/25 annual report

Alteration to sponsorship arrangements provided to the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) by the Department for Transport (DfT) gives opportunity to progress positive change in the O-Licensing regime, the TCs’ annual report for 2024/25 has said.

It notes how appointment of Peter Hearn as Chief Operating Officer for the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) and separation of OTC from the enforcement directorate of DVSA has enabled DfT support “to be made more readily available” to the TCs.

“This recognises the importance of how closer working relationships can help [to] accelerate improvements for service users,” the report continues. “The last five years have allowed us to develop a better understanding of the type of support required by a modern and functioning jurisdiction.”

In a final annual report foreword by Richard Turfitt as Senior Traffic Commissioner before he recently handed over that mantle to Kevin Rooney, Mr Turfitt pointedly adds that the change means the TCs are “no longer that embarrassing relative, sat in the corner.”

Mr Turfitt spent eight years as Senior TC. During 2020 he drew praise for leading OTC’s work to support the bus industry through the pandemic period but notes in the foreword that his tenure was “challenging and often isolating.”

In another indication of an evolving approach from DfT towards the TCs, Mr Turfitt highlights comments made by Minister of State for Transport Lord Hendy in the House of Lords on 13 February where the TCs’ important and strategic role was acknowledged.

However, Mr Turfitt cautions that government’s decision to examine hundreds of ‘quangos’ with a view to closing, merging or bringing some functions back into their respective department could see the TC function potentially subject to “yet another review.”

Despite an otherwise often-upbeat tone, the report says that progress on wider reform during 2024/25 was “limited,” partly due to the general election and the introduction of other legislation.

Among items awaiting movement are introduction of interim PSV O-Licences and a review of the statutory document outlining how TCs should approach bus punctuality. Section 19 permit use also requires updated guidance, with the annual report hinting at that being at the draft stage.

Interim PSV O-Licences have been on the agenda for many years. The report notes “some regret” that they still have not advanced. When that happens, coach and bus operators will be able to realise commercial opportunities more quickly.

Difficulty recruiting a TC for Scotland is cited as a further contributor to the delayed review of bus punctuality guidance. Claire Gilmore left that position in May 2024 and has still not been replaced. Instead, Mr Turfitt is serving as Acting TC for Scotland alongside his other responsibilities.

It is hoped that a permanent replacement for Ms Gilmore will be appointed by autumn, although the report notes a need to improve the TC hiring process. A more diverse pool of TCs also requires change to work patterns, Mr Turfitt adds.

As acting TC for Scotland, he highlights a worry around a reduction in regulatory cases on referral from enforcement officers in that jurisdiction. Geographical distances in Scotland “present a real challenge to the completion of investigations,” and that has become more acute since reorganisation of the DVSA enforcement directorate.

On bus service registrations, Mr Turfitt adds that at the time of writing, difficulties in processing those remained. Centralising the process drew a full impact that “was not anticipated,” and the pressures on its team “were not disclosed at the time.”

Bridge strikes are again referenced in the 2024/25 annual report. While numbers have been coming down, the potential financial impact is highlighted. In one case involving a HGV operator, the repercussions were so severe that the business could not meet financial standing requirements, and its O-Licence was revoked.

Read the Traffic Commissioners’ annual report for 2024/25 in full here.