ses in shape The thing for drivers to remember is to make sure they report the defects... as well as informing the engineers.
Driver Chloe Ebanks from Merton checks the wipers of her vehicle before leaving the garage.
service. The driver may then have to ask the passengers to leave the bus, before he or she drives it back to the garage, if it is safe to do so. However, if the defect is severe and the bus cannot be safely driven – for example, if there is a bad oil leak – then the driver should stay with the vehicle but must make him or herself safe. An engineer will come out to the bus (ideally with a substitute bus) and either secure it so that it is safe to drive back to the depot, fix it or make arrangements for a tow truck. In these instances, controllers will advise the driver as to what to do with any passengers who might be on board the bus at the time. Once the vehicle is roadworthy again, the defect report is closed and the bus can go back into service. “The thing for drivers to remember is to make sure that they report the defects, either on the VCR card where used, or on the sign off sheet, as well as informing the engineers,” said Chris. “Some colleagues do have the perception that the engineers are not fixing the faults that they are reporting. If it is something quite minor, for example if there is a saloon light not working, then it may be left until the vehicle is next due a rota inspection. This is why some minor defects Chloe Ebanks checks can remain on a vehicle the grab strap. for a number of days.”
00 challenge Sights set on award GO-AHEAD London is leading the way in the best vehicle care category at the annual London Bus Awards with two garages in the running to win. New Cross and Stockwell, along with Orpington garage at Go-Ahead London’s sister company, Metrobus, are two of the five garages to be shortlisted. They were chosen based on mystery traveller observations, engineering quality monitoring and lost mileage. TfL has called for nominations in other categories and Go-Ahead London anticipates that other staff with also be shortlisted. The results will be announced on May 15.
Tender news
from across London IN OUR regular column, we highlight recent announcements made by Transport for London. Abellio • Retention of Route C3 (Clapham Junction to Earl’s Court), using new double deck vehicles (12 PVR). Contract begins October 5, 2013. Arriva London South • Retention of Route 60 (Streatham Station to Old Coulsdon), using new and existing double deck buses (15 PVR). Contract begins on August 31, 2013. • Retention of Route 166 (West Croydon to Banstead/Epsom), using existing single deck vehicles (8 PVR). Contract starts on August 31, 2013. • Retention of Route 319 (Sloane Square to Streatham Hill), using new double deck vehicles (20 PVR). Contract begins on September 14, 2013. • Retention of Route 412 (Purley to West Croydon), using existing double deck vehicles (8 PVR). Contract starts on August 31, 2013. • Retention of Route 466 (Addington Village Interchange to Caterhamon-the-Hill), using existing double deck vehicles (17 PVR). Contract begins on August 31, 2013. • Route 612 (Wallington to Selsdon (school service) won from Metrobus. The contract starts on August 31, 2013, using existing double deck buses (2 PVR). • Retention of Route 685 (Hamsey Green to Selsdon), using existing double deck vehicles. Contract begins on August 31, 2013. Arriva London North • Retention of Route 318 (Stamford Hill to North Middlesex Hospital), using new and existing single deck buses (7 PVR). Contract starts on November 9, 2013. London United • Retention of Route 391 (Sands End to Richmond) using new and existing double deck vehicles (18 PVR). Contract begins on December 14, 2013.
Metrobus • Retention of Route 293 (Morden to Epsom), using a mix of existing double and single deck vehicles (7 PVR). Contract begins on August 31, 2013. • Route 434 (Whyteleafe South to Rickman Hill), using new single deck vehicles (3 PVR). Contract begins August 31, 2013. Won from Abellio. Quality Line • Retention of Route 404 (Coulsdon to Caterham-onthe-Hill), using single deck vehicles (1 PVR). Contract begins on September 28, 2013. Stagecoach East London • Route 165 (Romford to Rainham, Abbey Wood Lane) won from First London East. Contract begins September 28, 2013 using new single deck vehicles (12 PVR). • Route 179 (Ilford to Chingford) won from First London East. Contract begins on October 19, 2013 using existing double deck vehicles (11 PVR). • Route 252 (Hornchurch to Collier Row) won from First London East. Contract begins on September 28, 2013 using new and existing double deck vehicles (12 PVR). • Route 256 (Hornchurch St George’s Hospital) to Noak Hill) won from Arriva Kent Thameside. Contract begins on September 28, 2013 using new single deck vehicles (10 PVR). • Route 365 (Havering Park to Mardyke Estate) won from First London East. Contract begins on September 28, 2013 using new double deck vehicles (11 PVR). Stagecoach Selkent • Retention of Route 356 (Shirley to Sydenham Hill), using existing single deck vehicles (6 PVR). Contract starts on September 14, 2013.
BusTalk l April 2013
5