BUS INSPECTION OFFER BY FTA
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AN OFFER of regular engineering inspection of buses and coaches — with full reports of defects found — has come from the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport and the Freight Transport Association.
A demonstration for East Midlands coach operators was held at the premises of the South Notts Bus Co at Gotham, near Nottingham, last week — and CM was on the spot to see what went on.
FTA Controller of Engineering Services, Terry Goldrick, said that operators who take up the offer get a total engineering advice service for their money.
Persistent problems could be referred right back along the line to the manufacturer. And apart from regular inspections for every vehicle, the service also includes "audit" examinations of particular vehicles for large fleet operators.
Some National Bus Co subsidiaries are reported to be interested in the service.
Of more interest to the small man, the FTA will also inspect new coaches after the manufacturers pre-delivery in speclion to pick up any faults that can be repaired under warranty before the coach enters service.
Second-hand coaches can also be inspected before purchase and, in addition to the report on their condition, the operator will also be given a suggested range for the purchase price of the vehicle.
Accident investigations can be undertaken by the FTA, particularly to keep an eye on the operators interests if there is a possibility of legal action being taken against him.
The FTA is well placed to undertake mechanical examinations in any part of the country.
Its 90 inspectors undertake nearly 100,000 examinations • every year, from the north of Scotland through to Devon and Cornwall.
All the operator needs to do is. supply an assistant for 10 minutes or so at the end of the examination to help test the lights and steering system. Mr Goldrick pointed out that, although the inspector will check for play in steering systems with a tommy bar, and check wheel nuts etc, with a hammer he will not dismantle any part of the vehicle. The inspection is purely by sight.
Many operators present at the demonstration were si prised at the cost – £19.50 examination or £53 per day but Mr Goldrick pointed that the entire FTA engine' ing service was non prol making, so there was lit possibility of reducing t charge.