TWO bus companies fined thousands of pounds for running unreliable services have appealed against the decision.

M&M Coaches and Pilkington's were fined 20 per cent of their fuel rebate -- money refunded by the Government to help pay for services.

But both criticised the decision as unfair and said that when they were monitored the bus industry ran to a five minute plus or minus rule where if they ran within that period no action would be taken.

But they said the North West Traffic Commission decided to deal with their cases under the new more stringent rules that did not come into effect until April 2002 -- they were monitored in March last year.

The two Accrington based bus companies were taken before the North West Traffic Commission disciplinary inquiry, based in Leeds, in March this year. They were both found to be running unreliably a few minutes either side, but within the five-minute zone, and fined between £2,000 and £3,000.

Alan Pilkington, of Pilkington's said: "It was unfair so we appealed in the allotted 21 days after the decision. We got a solicitor and we will go to the tribunal London.

"They tell you one thing and send you a letter and then when you get there they change the rules and apply something completely different.

"They seem to do whatever they want and there's nothing you can do about it."

Robert Tuffnell, of M&M, said: "We are appealing against one part of the decision. We looked at the legislation and felt we had room to take action. There was a five minute ruling in place and as far as we were aware we were in that time.

"If we have done something wrong we will hold our heads up and take our punishment, but when we have done nothing wrong we will fight our corner."

A spokesman for the North West Traffic Commission said: "They lodged their appeal with the Transport Tribunal which sits in London and the Traffic Commission will send relevant papers down.

"It is a body that has a QC as its president and has members from the industry sitting on it."