A BUS operator convicted of drink driving has been fined £1,500 for failing to run timetabled bus services.

Thomas Cole, who runs Cole's Coaches in Falkirk, was ordered to pay the fine after a public inquiry heard he had failed to operate a number of timetabled bus services in the Falkirk, Callendar Park and Banknock areas.

It was the second time he had been called before the Traffic Commissioner over the failure to run services.

Mr Cole was banned from registering any new bus services until October and the operator's licence has also been curtailed to allow him to run two coaches instead of three.

The businessman was previously disqualified from driving for 28 months in February 2013 after he was caught behind the wheel at more than double the former drink-drive limit. He had been making the 30 minute journey from a pub to his home when police stopped and breathalysed him, finding that his breath-alcohol reading was 82microgrammes per 100ml of breath. The legal limit at the time was 35mcg, and is now 22mcg.

Mr Cole told the public inquiry it had been an "act of sheer stupidity" and had successfully completed a rehabilitation programme which reduced his driving ban to 22 months.

He admitted that the loss of the licence had "caused him very significant difficulties" as the business had to continue operating without him as a driver.

Deputy Traffic Commissioner Richard McFarlane said his biggest worry was over vehicle maintenance, noting that the buses in use were "of a fair age".

Mr McFarlane said: "My impression is that with his 'eye off the ball' [Mr Cole] was not properly maintaining his vehicles and that he was indulging in 'sticking plaster' repairs rather than carrying out the much-needed major overhauls."

However, he added that Cole's Coaches had enough money in the bank to meet financial standing requirements and that Mr Cole "continues to be of good repute and be professionally competent".