Transpora fined over its collapse

A bus company — widely lauded when it began taking on previously axed services — has received a fine following its collapse.

Transpora suddenly stopped operating routes in the southwest in July, leaving many passengers stranded.

A ban on one of the operator’s former regional operations managers, Rhys Hand, prohibits him from running any public transport company for five years.

An inquiry found the Transpora South West brand folded because of a relationship breakdown between Mr Hand and the firm’s owner, Phillip Higgs.