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LT loses 1.5 per cent of mileage to spares shortage
Page 26
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SHORTAGE of spares — coupled with a shortage in bus overhaul staff — is costing London Transport 1.5 per cent of its daily bus mileage, according to figures published this week. Shortage of bus crews in London tends to conceal the true extent of the engineering problems, but an average of 500 buses a day cannot be operated because they are faulty. However, about 330 of these would be off the road anyway because of lack of crews.
In a bid to improve the situation LT is implementing a programme of reclaiming components. Crankshafts, bearings, brake pipes and even nuts and bolts are among items being reclaimed.
While the staff situation is showing signs of improving — if all 100 recruits now being trained all pass out successfully the 1,300-strong force of mechanics will be at full strength — the spares problem continues with no end in sight, according to London Transport.