A bus company, which operates school buses in East Lancashire, has issued an update after a "grave administrative error" led to its licence being revoked following a serious regulatory breach.
Red Rose Travel (Lancashire) Ltd, based at West End Business Park in Oswaldtwistle, initially had its licence revoked after a public inquiry found it had knowingly used operator licence discs from another company, East Lancashire Motors (ELM), also based at the Oswaldtwistle site, to run vehicles that should have been operating under its own licence.
In an update, following the resignation of a director and after communication with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, Red Rose Travel (Lancashire) Limited has been granted a full international licence to operate 12 vehicles.
The licence lending was uncovered during an unannounced visit by a DVSA vehicle examiner on December 15, 2025.
According to the report, from the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, said: "It was identified that whilst East Lancs had an operator’s licence, the company was in fact dormant.
"As such it did not have a bank account and was not yet trading or operating."
The revocation was set to take place at 11.45pm on July 24, to minimise disruption to schools relying on Red Rose’s services.
According to the report, Lee Collard, director and transport manager at Red Rose, was found to have "lost his good repute" and was disqualified from acting as a transport manager and from holding or obtaining an operator’s licence for 12 months.
Stephen Haydock, co-director and transport manager, retained his good repute, though it was described as "tarnished."
Mr Collard accepted responsibility for the licence lending, describing it as his “call, and his mistake.”
The company has since been granted a new full international operator’s licence for up to 12 vehicles.
The original revocation stemmed from Red Rose’s use of ELM’s licence to operate buses beyond its authorised limit after a variation request to increase its own vehicle authorisation had been refused in 2022.
According to the report, Mr Collard admitted that using ELM’s discs was “easier” than reapplying for an increase under Red Rose’s licence.
He added that he did so so customers “would not be let down".
The Traffic Commissioner described the case as “severe,” noting it provided Red Rose with a "clear commercial advantage" and undermined the operator licensing system.
The public inquiry also found that Mr Collard was overextended in his roles as director, transport manager, and driver, and had taken on too much responsibility without delegating.
Red Rose has since agreed to appoint an external transport manager.
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A spokesperson for Red Rose Travel Lancashire said: “During a turbulent period in our personal lives due to illness and other factors, we made a grave administrative error, which led to the revocation of both licences detailed.
"The matter did not involve anything maintenance or safety-related.
"Following the resignation of a director and after extensive communication with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, Red Rose Travel (Lancashire) Limited has been granted a full international licence to operate 12 vehicles.
"We are pleased the matter has now been closed, and we are looking forward to continuing to provide happy memories for our passengers.”
A spokesperson for the Office of the Traffic Commissioner said: "The licence for Red Rose Travel (Lancashire) was revoked on July 24 at 11.45pm.
"The operator was not disqualified (however, one transport manager was), and a licence was granted for Red Rose Travel from July 24.
"This new licence was granted with conditions and undertakings around finances and the involvement of disqualified individuals."
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