Bus drivers have been caught on their mobile phones on roads in Borehamwood, prompting calls for tougher penalties.

Workers at Sullivan Buses, based in South Mimms, were reprimanded by managers after passengers reported incidents to a county councillor about drivers on the B1, B2 and B3 routes, which all serve Borehamwood.

Councillor John Metcalf reported the complaints to Hertfordshire County Council's passenger transport unit after drivers were seen using hand-held mobile telephones while driving buses in Borehamwood.

The matter was raised by Mr Metcalf at a full council meeting held on April 8.

Councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs, told the meeting bus drivers would not be deterred unless penalties were raised and police encouraged to catch and prosecute offending drivers.

He said: "In the cases I believe Councillor Metcalf is referring to, the operator has interviewed the drivers concerned and also held a series of meetings with all staff, emphasising that using mobile phones while driving is both against the law and company policy.

"No matter what the circumstances or how urgent the call may be, the driver must pull in to the side of the road and apply the handbrake before making or taking a call."

Mr Pile said he would be writing to all bus operators "with a reminder of their duty to have regard to the law concerning the use of mobile phones while driving".

He added: "We will not completely deter the use of mobile phones until the penalties imposed for doing so are raised to much higher levels, and the police are encouraged to catch and prosecute offending drivers."

Borehamwood resident Donald Trendler said: "I saw a bus driver driving very fast along Shenley Road. He was using a mobile phone and he had to stop the bus abruptly at a crossing. It wasn't a very busy bus, so maybe he felt he could get away with it and that nobody would see.

"I didn't know what to do or who to report it to. People should be encouraged to call the council to complain because passengers, pedestrians and the bus drivers themselves are at risk."

John Brown, chairman of the Borehamwood Royal British Legion, said: "There have been instances in the past where people have told me they have seen drivers on their mobiles.

"I was on a bus that turned out of Station Road and the driver was talking on his phone. I asked him to turn it off, as it was a very busy road, and to his credit he switched it off immediately. Accidents happen so quickly that drivers need to be careful because they could endanger many lives if they have a distraction like that."

Mr Pile added at the meeting that he encourages members of the public to report any future incidents to either the council or the police.

He said: "The public are the eyes and ears of the council, and I applaud them for reporting any wrong- doing to the authorities. I am content for officers of our passenger transport unit to forward any such reports to bus operators for swift action."

A spokesman for Sullivan Buses said: "At this moment in time we have no comment, other than the drivers have been dealt with and you can rest assured there should not be a repeat of this instance."