TWO bus companies fined thousands of pounds for running unreliable services today blamed Accrington bus station.

M&M Coaches and Pilkington were fined 20 per cent of their fuel rebate -- money refunded by the Government to help pay for services -- at a disciplinary inquiry in Leeds.

The fines of between £2,000 and £3,000 came after inspectors monitored buses in March last year.

It was found that 13 (20 per cent) of the 64 M&M buses inspected and 59 (20 per cent) of Pilkington's 203 journeys logged operated outside the normal time parameters

Bob Tuffnell, of M&M, said there was no excuse and they would take their punishment, but everybody knew about the lack of space at the bus station and the problems it causes for buses.

Alan Pilkington, of Pilkington's, blamed the station as well but said the fault also lay with the administration of the North West Traffic Commission in Leeds.

The bus station is being reviewed by consultants Halcrow who are due to publish findings by the end of the month. They are looking at the lack of space at the station and their report could pave the way for a new.

But Tom Macartney, North Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner, dismissed their excuses and said that early running was unacceptable in a professional industry.

Mr Tuffnell, manager, of M&M's, on Newark Street, said: "Over the last two years Hyndburn Borough Council has halved the number of stands at the station and even half of that is not in use because of the building work going on.

"With wagons pulling out, it delays you and sometimes if you are on the stand and someone is trying to get on it would be considerate to leave a couple of minutes early."

Mr Pilkington, spoke from the firm's office on Blackburn Road. He also said that the bus station was not the most user-friendly place for bus drivers but he also blamed the North West Traffic Commission and said it should not have been brought before the inquiry in the first place.

"Our buses were monitored on March 6 and 7 2002, some were two to three minutes early and some three to five minutes late.

"At the time of the monitoring the bus industry ran to a five minute plus or minus rule where if you were within that no action would be taken," said Mr Pilkington.

"However the Commission decided to deal with our case under the new rules, which didn't come into force until April 1 2002."

Dave Law, of Hyndburn Borough Council, admitted there were problems due to lack of space at the bus station.

He said: "We have an insufficient number of stands, we need to expand in the order of three or four, ideally we want a brand new bus station."