Article: This is why your bus didn't turn up

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

This is why your bus didn't turn up

This is why your bus didn't turn up
Tony Moore
December 1, 2010 - 11:41AM

Have you ever wondered why your bus failed to turn up or you were moved to another vehicle mid-journey?

Well, according to new figures, the most likely reason was due to a failing air-conditioning unit or faulty bus door.

Brisbane City Council yesterday released information as to why 7682 buses services were taken off the road or changed during a trip over the last financial year.

The incidents were reported within the council's 2.82 million bus trips in 2009-10, where the 1116-strong bus fleet travelled more than 59 million kilometres.

Air conditioning units clattered to a halt 967 times to top the list, while doors were jammed closed on 895 occasions.

Problems with the buses' air systems caused difficulties 733 times and vehicle warning system issues were reported 501 times.

Buses ran out of fuel 457 times, failed to start on 244 occasions and stalled 132 times.

More alarmingly, two vehicles caught on fire and brake concerns were lodged 312 times.

Brisbane's heat got the better of the fleet on 255 occasions after engines or gearboxes overheated.

The air-conditioning issues may be explained by the fact the number of buses with systems has increased from 36 per cent to about 90 per cent.

However, the figures reveal that Brisbane buses are stopping and stalling less frequently than in the past.

In October 2009, it was reported that buses broke down 15.3 times every 100,000 kilometres.

By July of this year, the rate had dropped to 6.9 times every 100,000 kilometres.

Bus patronage also jumped from 72 million in 2008-09 to 77 million in 2009-10.