ELEVEN former drivers from a top coach firm have been fined thousands of pounds after breaking tough safety laws.

Transport bosses could even take tough action against the firm after an inquiry was launched into how much time drivers were spending on the road.

It comes after one driver accused bosses at Southamptonbased Airlynx Express of “bully-boy tactics” to force the coach drivers to spend longer behind the wheel.

The allegation, which the firm denies, was made as the company and drivers appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court charged with breaching strict Department of Transport rules.

During the case the ex-drivers were fined a total of £13,000 and ordered to pay a further £7,500 in costs after admitting breaking laws limiting their time behind the wheel.

A number also admitted removing cards which record how long staff spend on the roads.

But in court, one of Airlynx’s former employees, Leonard Richards, claimed then-bosses had bullied staff into committing some of the offences in 2016.

Mr Richards also claimed the company took away his pay and VIP coach driving privileges after he attempted to report his concerns to managers.

The 70-year-old later reported the firm to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which launched an investigation.

Speaking in court, Mr Richard, who was fined £750 after pleading guilty to four offences, said: “They used bully-boy tactics to force people into doing things they knew they shouldn’t be doing.

But when your job is at risk and you know you’ve got family to support, what do you do?”

Mr Richards said drivers would be left in a position by the company where they would have to make a decision over whether to breach rules – due to a lack of assistance.

He added: “When you’ve got a coach full of people and no way of getting assistance you just have to do what you have to do.”

He added that he and his fellow drivers were salaried, and there was no financial gain in shortening or driving through their break periods. Company bosses rejected the allegations in a statement.

An Airlynx spokesperson said: “We are aware that as part of his mitigation, one of the prosecuted ex-driver made allegations regarding working practices within Airlynx at the time of the investigation.

“These allegations are not accepted by Airlynx.”

Meanwhile, Airlynx, based at Marine Parade, opposite St Mary’s Stadium, pleaded guilty to four offences.

These included having a driver work for 10 consecutive days when the maximum is seven.

Another charge was having a driver at the wheel for more than four-and-a-half hours without a full 45-minute break.

The firm also admitted two employees had failed to record parts of their journey – by removing the cards that measured how long they had spend at the wheel.

The company said it has cooperated with the DVSA in its investigation, which covered a period from June 2016 to October 2016, and had provided in excess of 4,000 records for review.

In a written sentencing, Judge District Anthony Galloway said the company had a “casual attitude” to its legal obligations and its drivers.

He fined the company £10,000 in total, alongside costs of more than £2,000.

Airlynx will also face a review by the government’s Traffic Commissioner.

A spokesperson for the Traffic Commissioner said the industry regulator could not comment on individual cases before an inquiry.

However, in a statement, a spokesperson said: “The purpose of a public inquiry is to examine the matters reported by the relevant enforcement agency, hear evidence from the operator licence holder and determine whether to take any action against the licence after hearing that evidence.

“Traffic commissioners have the power to reduce the number of vehicles authorised on a licence, suspend a licence for a period of time or revoke a licence.

"They may also make orders for disqualification. They can also issue formal warnings or take no action.”

DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

“There’s no excuse for driving while tired. “The results of falling asleep at the wheel can be devastating.

“Any driver or operator breaking these rules is putting other road users at risk.

“As this case shows, we will not hesitate in taking action against drivers and operators who flout the law.” 

Who are the drivers?

Michael Andrew Bishop, 43, of Winfrith Way, Nursling, pleaded guilty to driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes. Also pleaded guilty to failing to take required amount of daily rest and four counts of failing to keep a relevant record / entry. Fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

Michael Dean Blackwood, 48, of St Aubins Avenue, Southampton, pleaded guilty to one count of driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes and failing to use mode switch. Fined £800.

Stephen James Burrows, 61, of Downside Avenue, Southampton, pleaded guilty to failing to use mode switch. Also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to take weekly rest period. Fined £1,400 and ordered to pay costs of £600.

Ivor Kenneth Evans, 63, of Filton Close, Calmore, pleaded guilty to failing to make a relevant tachograph record / entry. Fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £400.

Robert Charles Chapman, 43, of Ash Walk, New Alresford, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to make a relevant record / entry. Also pleaded to failing to keep a relevant record / entry. Fined £1,800 and ordered to pay court costs of £500.

Mervyn James Hedges, 60, of Sydney Road, Gosport, pleaded guilty to two counts of driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes. Also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false record / entry, one count of failing to keep a relevant record / entry and one count of failing to use mode switch. Fined £2,400 and ordered to pay court costs of £500.

Mark Owen Maidment, 47, Commercial Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to make record / entry. Also pleaded guilty to making a false record and to driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes. Fined £2,000 and ordered to pay court costs of £400.

Shawn Thomas Peters, 44, of Ringwood Road, Christchurch, pleaded guilty to driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes. Also pleaded guilty to failing to make a record / entry. Fined £600 and ordered to pay court costs of £500.

Andrew Joseph Portelli, 48, of Norfolk Road, Southampton. Warrant issued after non-appearance in court.

Leonard Richards, 70, of Robin Way, Andover, pleaded guilty to using a false instrument. Also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false record / entry. Fined £750 and ordered to pay court costs of £300.

Christopher Malcolm Rideout, 65, of Haileybury Garden, pleaded guilty to driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes. Also pleaded guilty to failing to keep a record / entry. Fined £850 and ordered to pay court costs of £500.

Derek Robinson, 56, of St Deny's Road, Southampton. Warrant issued after non-appearance in court.

Steven Anthony Sweed, 50, of Abercrombie Gardens, Southampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to take required amount of daily rest. Also pleaded guilty to failing to keep a record / entry, two counts of driving more than 4.5 hours without minimum break of 45 minutes, one count of using a false instrument and three counts of making a false record / entry. Fined £2,000 and ordered to pay court costs of £1,000.