beat spares shortage
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• One-man operated single-deck buses on London services 85 (Putney Bridge-Roehampton-Kingston) and 297 (WillesdenPerivale) are to be replaced by Londoner o-m-o double-deckers from Saturday, February 5, London Transport announced this week. The switch, which may be followed by further examples, is being made in order to create a "float" to cover buses out of service for prolonged periods due to serious delays in the supply of spare parts.
A spokesman for LT told CMon Monday that, although there had been a recent improvement, the supply of spares was still causing a serious headache for LT fleet engineers. All classes of bus operated by the undertaking have been affected to some degree, though the modern o-m-o singledeckers have tended to be more troublesome.
More reliable Early indications have suggested that the DMS Londoner double-decker (Daimler Fleetline with two door 9.5m body by Park Royal) is a more reliable vehicle, an opinion supported by Mr Ralph Bennett, LTE's deputy chairman and managing director, Buses.
Though the shortage of spares may seem to reflect on the vehicle manufacturers, it is known that they, in turn, are affected by supplies from component manufacturers. The buses to be replaced on route 85 are SMS class 67-passenger vehicles comprising AEC Swift chassis with 10m 33-seat plus 34 standing two-doorway bodies. Route 297 is currently operated by MB class buses based on AEC Merlin chassis with 1 lm 50-seat bodies.
• A fall-off in bookings has led to the decision of East Yorkshire Motor Services to withdraw its tours to Eire next summer.