BBT application restricted
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• Brighton Borough Transport has been granted authority to increase its fleet by only nine vehicles, and not the 20 it had originally been seeking, following a two-day public inquiry before South Eastern Traffic Commissioner Brigadier Michael Turner.
Turner was told that 16 prohibition notices had been imposed on the company's 66strong fleet during the past four years — eight being issued in April of this year.
Vehicle examiner Eddie Lister said that a jammed emergency door could have prevented passengers from escaping after an accident, and a defective warning buzzer could have resulted in a child falling out without anyone realising. It was said both de fects could have resulted in loss of life. Lister blamed the defects on staff shortages and a lack of quality control.
David Rea, representing thi company, said additional skille fitters had been taken on and the problems had been overcome. It was a first-class corn pany, and had a first-class reputation.
Indicating that at this stage he was prepared to increase the company's authorisation tc only 75 vehicles, Turner said that the volume of defects found was very disturbing. He said he would be prepared to consider granting the company the remainder of the additional vehicles for which it was asking, should a further fleet check in four months' time prove satisfactory.