Councillors are threatening to “empty chair” Stagecoach South West managing director Peter Knight after his absence from yet another meeting of the committee that oversees Exeter’s highways.
Led by Labour’s Martin Pearce, they stressed the importance of a direct link between the bus operator and elected members.
A county council officer fanned the flames by explaining that Mr Knight now regularly attends the county’s new bus users and stakeholders forum – which meets in secret – leading councillors to demand wider access to that body in the interests of accountability and transparency.
The issue will be referred to the October meeting of the council’s DevonBus Enhanced Partnership Board.
