(19 Feb 2025, 6:51 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote GNE haven't done this either.  The driver of a vehicle is legally responsible for ensuring their vehicle is roadworthy and can be fined and issued penalty points if they drive an unroadworthy vehicle - regardless of whether someone in control has told them to or not.  GNE's bit of paper makes no difference re fault, it is just an exercise in stupidity from management and you'd think would actually empower drivers to be more cautious in following 'advice' from control if this places them or their passengers at risk.  For the company to successfully discipline someone for refusing to drive an unroadworthy vehicle, they would have to admit they were requiring their workforce to break the law and in fact be acting unlawfully themselves as an operator.

Not sure I agree here mind. Yes points and a slap on the wrist type fines you're right but it's now a completely different ball game to the bigger issues. 

If you maul down 2 people because your break fails you're now liable, without doubt, for the death because of the defective vehicle. Without the letter the driver can just say X said and then x can say management said it was alright and it'll go around in circles and no-one will get prosecuted bar a nasty fine for GoAhead. 

It's all been done to protect GoAhead as they've done the training for what should be on the road so now it's down to the depot level for who takes the blame. Result, depot level are bow saying hang on a minute, if that's the case we want working vehicles or we're going on strike as were not taking the liability for you.