Double-deckers fail test for roadworthiness

Press, 8 February 1985, Page 19

Double-deckers fail test for roadworthiness

NZPA staff correspondent London Spot checks on London’s double-decker bus fleet found that more than half should not have been on the road.

The Department of Transport checked one in every 20 buses between October and December. Of the 255 they checked, 129 were issued with immediate “prohibition notices.” Defects uncovered ranged from vandalised seating, missing light bulbs, and oil leaks to more serious problems such as faulty brakes, steering, and suspension. The most common single fault was balding tyres. Partly as a result of the checks, the Government-ap-

pointed body that took control of London Transport last year failed to gain a five-year licence to run its bus services. The Traffic Commissioners, who ordered the

tests, instead granted a licence for just two years when they considered the licence application in Januta with London buses are nothing new and, according to London Transport, were worse when the Greater London Council ran the service. A London Transport spokesman told the “Standard” newspaper that during 1983 just 45 per cent of buses passed inspection first time but by late 1984 the

figure had risen to 78 per cent. Referring to the results of the Transport Department’s spot checks, the spokesman said, “It must be remembered they (the buses) were not in a dangerous state, either to passengers or other road-users.” Meanwhile, it was reported recently, that old London double-deckers might become familiar sights on Chinese roads. One of two buses sent to Hong Kong for trade fairs has crossed the border and is being given a two-month trial by the China Motor Bus Company. London Transport hopes China will become a lucrative market for old vehicles.