School bus contracts extended

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 18

School bus contracts extended

PA Blenheim Four bus contractors who were told last month they had lost their school runs to outside operators, have had their existing contracts extended to July 1 1989 This would fulfil the required six months notice of termination set down by a High Court Judge, Mr Justice Eichelbaum, after legal action taken by two of four operators in Marlborough.

De Luxe Motors and Starborough Transport successfully sought an injunction preventing the Wellington Education Board from letting the new contracts from the beginning of next year. They argued that insufficient notice had been given and the Judge agreed.

He ruled that three months notice was insufficient and that at least six months should be given.

He also ruled the letters of termination sent to De Luxe and Starborough Transport were deficient and that the period of notice would start from the date that the board reissued the notices. After his decision Marlborough’s two other contractors in the Wairau Valley and Picton indicated they would take similar legal action unless the Wellington Education Board agreed to stop all action involving their runs.

They were now being treated the same as De Luxe Motors and Starborough Transport, the board’s deputy general manager, Mr Dave Hewitt, said yesterday.