Article: Bus crashes on the rise

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Bus crashes on the rise

Bus crashes on the rise
Daniel Hurst
May 23, 2011 - 5:56AM

Brisbane buses are involved in about 50 crashes every week, or seven a day.

Figures provided by Brisbane City Council show its buses crashed 2,503 times last financial year, five per cent more than the previous 12 months.

It appears the majority of the crashes were minor incidents, with 77 people injured from bus crashes in 2009/10.

Debate flared last week over driver training after several serious bus crashes occurred within 24 hours.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said every bus accident was taken seriously but the extent of the problem had to be put in context.

"Council buses made over 2.6 million trips in 2009-10, which means over 99 per cent of all bus trips last year were made accident free," he said.

"However, with Brisbane's bus fleet jumping from about 700 vehicles in 2004 to over 1100 in 2011 we are conscious that more buses on the road has the potential for more accidents and are committed to ensuring our drivers and passengers are as safe as possible."

The bus crash figures include incidents regardless of whether the bus driver or the other party was responsible.

Cr Quirk said buses had an important role to play in reducing traffic congestion and motorists therefore should give them right of way.

Brisbane City Council refused to say how many payouts were made as a result of bus crashes.

"We cannot provide this information as it is the property of our insurer," the council's media unit said in response.

Although more buses and services continue to be rolled out, overcrowding continues to be a problem.

Figures released to brisbanetimes.com.au last week show the number of fully loaded buses in the post-flood months of February, March and April were much higher than at the same time last year.

March was the worst month on record for overcrowding on Brisbane buses, with more than 6398 vehicles filled to capacity, or about 200 per day.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bus-crashes-on-the-rise-20110523-1ezal.html