Capital warns on bus fire hazard
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• Unnecessary maintenance cutbacks, staff shortages and a rising tide of vandalism mean that London's bus passengers are travelling in vehicles that are potential fire traps, warns the passenger lobby group, Capital Transport.
"Huge staff cuts mean vandalised seats are now nonurgent repairs," says Capital Transport, and "the foam exposed by slashing the fireresistant cover is the same type that will be banned in furniture from next year."
Vandals strike most on upper decks, where smoking is allowed, increasing the risk of fire, and where jammed windows are not being fixed quickly enough. It is only a matter of time before disaster strikes, claims Capital.
Following the closure of BEL's Aldenham engineering works seats have to be sent away for repair, and other routine work is carried out in the local garage by less-welltrained staff says Capital. "In the long term it is bound to lead to a fall in the standards of safety on London Buses."