Buses World News

In brief: Worldwide montly news & informations about Buses, Busmakers, Passengers' and the Transport Industry

3.11.10

End of Road * India - For 1,600 Blueline buses in Delhi from Thursday

The 1,600-odd Blueline buses will become a part of history with a notification to do away with the private bus service

New Delhi,India -The Economic Times -27 Oct, 2010: -- These buses were taken off roads from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas — mainly comprising central Delhi — blamed for deaths of hundreds on Delhi roads... However, the government allowed some 865 of them to ply on the roads... But within days, one of the buses was involved in yet another fatal accident, sparking anger and sealing the fleet's collective fate... A transport department official said the notification will come into effect from Thursday morning... He said the Delhi government will apprise the Delhi High Court on the need for such a decision... The high court is slated to hear the grievances of the private bus operators on Friday... (Photo from dancewithshadows: A Blue Line Bus)

Labels: buses off road

28.2.09

The Back Story * USA - On NABI articulated buses pulled off CTA routes

The 7500 series articulated buses from North American Bus Industries have had a checkered "career" at the CTA

Chicago,ILL,USA -CTA Tattler -22 Feb 2009: -- ...And now all 226 of the 60-foot buses first introduced in 2003 to serve high-volume express routes have been pulled from service pending inspection for cracks in the articulation joints and bus axles... Mayor Daley and other CTA officials in a 2003 press release heaped much praise on these NABI buses, remarking on their "increased reliability and comfort"... But as ChicagoBus.org reports, it didn't take long to see signs of trouble in the buses: "Shortly after the 7500-series went into service, the CTA noticed several manufactural defects in the buses. Poor suspension systems often caused bumpy rides, the rear doors often malfunctioned, and cracks appeared in the articulation joint. This led the CTA to momentarily stop payment to NABI in 2004. In May 2007, CTA Chairman Carole Brown stated on her blog that the CTA was still working with NABI to correct ongoing suspension problems, calling it a “serious issue” that “must be fixed.”... ChicagoBus.org also reminds us that the CTA has started to receive up to 150 hybrid articulated buses from New Flyer, with almost 100 in service. But that's not enough to take the pressure off losing these 226 buses... (Video from YouTube, by nikolakovic - 21 de febrero de 2007 - "Crazy bus drift" ... It will be the best fucking-eating trip ever-picnic trip or a school-educational trip-. In the bus is the PARTY!!!)

Labels: buses off road

23.2.09

SAFETY ISSUES * USA - CTA takes accordion-style buses off the streets over

Commuters warned of longer waits, advised to take the 'L'

Chicago,ILL,USA -The Chicago Tribune, by Jon Hilkevitch -February 20, 2009: -- CTA bus customers are advised to avoid rush-hour travel starting Friday, ride trains instead or be prepared to wait longer for crowded buses to arrive as the result of safety problems sidelining nearly 200 articulated buses that are the workhorses of the fleet... On Thursday the transit agency removed from service the 60-foot-long buses, which are 50 percent longer than the standard-size bus and carry more people, as a precaution after finding serious cracks in the chassis of one vehicle, officials said... It was not known when the buses, which face inspections and possible repairs, will be returned to the streets... Taking out of service all North American Bus Industries Inc. (NABI) buses is expected to affect commuters across the system, particularly from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays, officials said... (See Video)

Labels: buses off road

16.10.08

"Fatigue Crack" * Australia - Buses head back off the road

Sydney,New South Wales,Australia -The Sydney Morning Herald, by Linton Besser -October 15, 2008: -- The State Transit Authority has pulled at least 15 natural gas-powered Mercedes-Benz buses from Sydney's roads after cracks were found in the front underbelly of the nine-year-old vehicles... A "fatigue crack" was found late on Monday afternoon at the Ryde depot when a driver reported a squeaking noise. By late yesterday, identical cracks had been discovered in another 14 vehicles after a "random" test of just 100 vehicles. All 302 of the gas-powered model were expected to have been inspected overnight... The STA has stressed the mechanical problem does not affect safety of the vehicles and that the buses remain road-worthy. But this latest recall is the fourth in 12 months. The entire fleet of the same Mercedes bus was recalled last December when cracks were found in the steering relay rods of 200 vehicles. The problem was initially identified when one of the rods snapped as a bus was being manoeuvred around a depot... (Photo: Robert Pearce - Out of action … one of the buses)

Labels: buses off road

5.1.08

OFF ROAD * South Africa - EL traffic authorities slam brakes on buses

Travellers irate as 41 vehicles impounded

South Africa -The Dispatch Online, by CHERI-ANN JAMES -31 Dec 2007: -- Dozens of angry passengers were stranded at the East London beachfront yesterday after dozens of long distance buses were impounded during a clamp down by traffic authorities... The operation resulted in at least 41 buses being impounded in East London and Mthatha since December 26... Most buses, including those owned by well-known operators, were taken off the road either for being unroadworthy, or for operating without a permit... So far about 28 buses were impounded in Mthatha for allegedly operating without a permit. The services of another 13 buses in East London were suspended for unroadworthiness... (Picture by MASI LOSI - WHERE TO NOW?: Passengers are left stranded at East London?s beachfront bus terminal after traffic authorities impounded dozens of unroadworthy long distance buses since Wednesday)

* Seven more buses impounded in EL blitz
Eastern Cape,South Africa -The Dispatch Online, by MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA -1 Jan 2008: -- Buffalo City traffic authorities continued with their clamp down on unroadworthy buses yesterday, taking seven more buses off the road... Berny Martin, commander for traffic and law enforcement, said the bus operators were slapped with suspension notices and the buses' disks were also taken away... This means the buses will not be on the roads until their defects, which include mainly defective brakes, are repaired... Martin said bus operators had 30 days to fix the defects...

* Did the bus, taxi crackdown help?
Cape Town,South Africa -The Independent Online, by Babalo Ndenze -January 03 2008: -- Western Cape traffic authorities impounded 40 unroadworthy vehicles, most of them buses and taxis, over the festive season, according to the Department of Community Safety... In the Eastern Cape 41 buses - some bound for Cape Town - had been impounded in East London and Mthatha December 26... Community Safety spokesperson Makhaya Mani said that, at the last count, 40 vehicles had been impounded at the province's 10 traffic centres... The crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles was followed by significantly fewer accidents involving public transport than in last Christmas, Mani said...

Labels: buses off road