Yet another TransPerth Bus goes up in flames !!

kiwijims · Guru

Yet another TransPerth Bus goes up in flames !!

Woody n Sue · Guru

Sounds like they have a seal failure problem to me

kiwijims · Guru

It does sound like that but, this time it was an Diesel bus that went up, the cause was a damaged fan belt. or so they reckon ,

Sounds more like lack of maintenance to me.

The last I heard is that the Union are so concerned about the safety of passengers,

they have given the Bus Company a Month to get on top of this problem, or they will all walk of the job.

that will put 500 buses out of action. confuse

K.J.

Weevil · Guru

We had a diesel bus we were on catch fire on Kangaroo Island, the driver was warned by the passengers that there was smoke coming out of the back, he stopped and looked at the rear motor but said it was only splashed oil on the motor burning off and continued until the rear of the bus caught fire, it also destroyed the hydraulics that open the bus door and the bus was filling with smoke until he managed to locate the manual release. All got off safely but some suffered smoke inhalation and one couple got cuts getting out of a window they broke with the safety hammer. All the driver seemed to be concerned with was covering his arse after the event.

Bus Fire 2.jpg

-- Edited by Weevil on Friday 17th of July 2015 06:44:11 PM

Bruce and Bev · Guru

I worked for Path Transit for a short time, who up until a few years ago was a contractor for Perth Transit (the Govt public transport company).

Fortunately Path lost their contract, but they were the part builders of all the buses in WA (as well as most other States).

We were warned verbally by management that their gas buses were a serious risk, even after upgraded fire suppression systems were fitted. that if there was any sign of smoke, to get our own butts off the bus and run - bugger the passengers - as there was a real risk of tank explosion.

Currently, WA only had one contractor for the public bus service - a very bad idea. Up till about 4 years ago they had three which kept the companies honest and their buses well serviced

kiwijims · Guru

This problem with the buses has got me real worried as we live on a busy bus route,

there is a bus past our place every twenty minutes, now after all these fires I seem to notice them more and keep looking at their rear, waiting for that warning puff of smoke.

Good photos VIC, I bet that bus was evacuated in real quick time. How far did you lot have to walk afterwards. ?

BRUCE. Your comments would make a great bit of interest if the Media should hear you're story, when I worked for the Water Authority, some time back now, they had a huge shed which was a mechanical workshop, first they got rid of all the mechanic's then they leased out the place to TransPerth,

This building was trying to be run with only a hand full of mechanics, as a service centre for their buses, in the end it became a dumping ground for all the wrecks and burnt out buses that they didn't want the Public to see, I bet there are a lot more buses there today.

K.J.

Weevil · Guru

Just walked enough to get away from the bus to a safe area, the local fire brigade, ambulance and police turned up. The bus company arranged for another bus to come and pick us all up. People were screaming as the bus filled up with smoke, also coming up through the floor until the driver could get the door open, don't rely on those little hammers they are almost useless. A small sledge hammer would have been better.

I saw on the news the union saying they don't even train the drivers in Perth how to use a fire extinguisher or what to do in the case of a fire.

-- Edited by Weevil on Friday 17th of July 2015 06:52:16 PM