Bus companies formerly directed by the brothers behind the collapsed firm GHA coaches, which had bases in Chester and Cheshire, are to be probed in a public inquiry.
The Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones will investigate RJ’s of Wem and RML 2418 Ltd at a hearing in Birmingham on December 5.
He will investigate the maintenance of both bus firms’ vehicles and whether brothers Gareth and Arwyn Lloyd-Davies have any involvement in the running of the companies.
The two were banned indefinitely from operating public service vehicles after a damning inquiry held by Mr Jones in September into their running of bust Ruabon-based bus firm GHA Coaches.
He said the brothers’ management failures led to the demise of the company and the loss of 320 jobs in July.
RJ’s of Wem and RML 2418 Ltd bus companies, had been bidding to run some of the Wrexham routes lost following the demise of GHA.
Documents at Companies House, the Government’s official business register, show the brothers were appointed as directors of RJ’s of Wem and RML 2418 Ltd in May 2015.
However their directorships for the bus companies were terminated in September of this year.
The same month a Sally Ann Lloyd-Davies was appointed as sole director of both firms.
A Traffic Commissioner spokesman said: “A public inquiry will be held in Birmingham on December 5 into RJ’s of Wem and RML 2418 Ltd.
“It will look at the two companies vehicle maintenance record and whether the two disqualified individuals are involved in the companies operation.”
Evidence will also be heard from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Mr Jones could take no action if he is satisfied everything is in order, or he could issue warnings or revoke licences.
RJ’s of Wem is authorised to operate four vehicles and RML 2418 Ltd three.
At its height GHA Coaches had two licences, authorising the use of 146 vehicles in Wales, with bases in Ruthin, Corwen, Ruabon and Wrexham and 80 vehicles in the North West of England, with bases in Chester, Middlewich, Winsford and Macclesfield.
They were revoked by the Traffic Commissioner.
Following the September hearing, Mr Jones also disqualified Gareth Lloyd-Davies from acting as a transport manager for an indefinite period.
Speaking at the time the Traffic Commissioner said: “In this specific business the precedence that income has been given over maintenance and public safety has been systemic for a period of time.
“Road safety, the safety of the travelling public and the safety of vulnerable schoolchildren travelling on buses has very much been secondary.”
