Govt test fees shock
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THE BUS and coach industry received an unpleasant shock this week when the Government published a new scale of fees for inspection and certification tests.
Precise details of the new charges were not available as CM went to press, but it was understood that the cost of some of the tests would rise very sharply, although the majority faced an increase roughly in line with inflation.
The reason for the hefty increase in some of the fees is the Government's determination to make all the tests cover their costs.
• A greater proportion of London Buses' vehicles passed their annual freedom from de fects test first time than those of other types of operator, according to the Department of Transport.
Out of a fleet of 5,000, 11.32 per cent of London buses failed; out of 14,000 National Bus Company vehicles, 11.93 per cent failed; out of 1,400 municipal buses 15.6 per cent failed; of 3,000 Scottish Bus Group vehicles, the failure rate was 21.8 per cent.
In the independent sector 30.61 per cent of 28,000 vehicles submitted failed first time.