Definition of “relevant operator”
5.—(1) For the purposes of sections 114(6B) and 122(3)(c) of the Act, “relevant operator” has the meaning given to it by this regulation and regulation 6.
(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) a “relevant operator” is an operator who, on the day on which an authority or authorities first give notice under section 115(1) of the Act of the proposal to make a scheme–
(a)is operating one or more local services in accordance with particulars registered under section 6 of the 1985 Act(); or
(b)is eligible under section 6(4) of the 1985 Act() to have an application for registration accepted, and has made such an application to the traffic commissioner to register the particulars of one or more local services;
and the local service to which the registration or, as the case may be, application relates has one or more stopping places in the area to which the proposed scheme relates.
(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to an operator when—
(a)the operator has, in respect of a local service to which paragraph (2)(a) applies, submitted an application to the traffic commissioner under section 6(7) of the 1985 Act to vary or cancel the registration of that local service; or
(b)the operator has, in respect of an application to which paragraph (2)(b) applies, withdrawn that application;
and the effect of either sub-paragraph (a) or (b) is that the operator would not, at such time as the variation, cancellation or withdrawal takes effect, be operating any local services with one or more stopping places in the area to which the proposed scheme relates.
(4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to an operator of local services if the only services which that operator provides, or proposes to provide, and to which that paragraph would otherwise apply are services which, under the scheme as proposed by the authority or authorities in the notice given under section 115(1) of the Act, would be excluded from the scheme under section 116(3) of the Act.