Brighton and Hove Bus Company could have its licence revoked after failing a safety inspection.

The city’s main public transport provider is facing a public inquiry after an investigation by the Government regulator allegedly resulted in 30 vehicles being taken off the road.

The investigation by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was sparked after a wheel flew off a moving bus in Brighton last December.

If found in breach of safety rules the company could lose its licence.

A spokesman for the Traffic Commissioner, who is responsible for handing out operator licences, confirmed that inspectors visited the company’s base in January.

As well as checking maintenance systems they also looked at the fleet to make sure it was roadworthy. The spokesman said the results of the checks were “not satisfactory”.

He said “exact details would be revealed as part of the hearing”.

A Brighton and Hove Buses driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, said his bosses had ordered retraining and stringent checks of all vehicles following the VOSA visit.

He said: “The inspectors took 30 vehicles off the road. They said they couldn’t be allowed back until they were all sorted.

“Since then we have had a strict regime of checking all buses before going out. This should have been done anyway but a number of drivers weren’t and the company wasn’t enforcing it.

“They have also given us little torches so we can check the wheels before going out.

Options

“It’s reassuring really.”

The Traffic Commissioner’s office said directors David Brown, Keith Down, Mike Best, Adrian Mitchell, Phil Woodgate and Roger French, would be expected to represent the company at the July 9 hearing.

He added that the Traffic Commissioner would have “all options” available to him including the power to revoke or suspend their licence as well reducing their fleet size.

The hearing, which is being held at Eastbourne’s Ivy House in Ivy Terrace, will also consider whether the company’s transport managers are fit to hold similar positions in the future.

At the time of the inspection the manager was Mr French, who has since retired.

A spokesman for the Traffic Commissioner explained that traffic managers are responsible for the overall maintenance and safety of the fleet.

Brighton and Hove Bus Company’s new chief executive, Martin Harris, said it would be “inappropriate” to comment before the hearing.