More than 30 of Melbourne’s Transdev buses ordered off the road after failing roadworthy checks

A MELBOURNE bus company’s entire fleet of 500 vehicles will be tested after more than 30 were ordered off the road when they did not pass roadworthy checks.

All Transdev buses will be checked after more than 30 failed roadworthy tests. Picture: David Crosling

MORE than 30 Melbourne buses have been ordered off the streets after being deemed unroadworthy.

Transport Safety Victoria ordered an emergency safety inspection at bus contractor Transdev’s Doncaster and North Fitzroy depots on September 11 and 12 after routine tests by VicRoads found safety breaches with 33 buses.

In a staff bulletin seen by Leader News, Transdev managing director Warwick Horsley told employees the company would now carry out checks on its entire fleet of more than 500 buses.

“We will continue to work closely with TSV to assess the remainder of our fleet for any defects, as well as any issues with our maintenance procedures,” he said.

The company — which operates 30 per cent of Melbourne’s buses — was forced to withdraw 33 buses from service after they were found to have safety defects, but VicRoads has refused to publicly detail the findings.

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In awarding Transdev a $1.7 billion 10-year-contract in 2013, Public Transport Victoria boasted the company’s bid “made it clear that its priority is to deliver the highest quality bus services by continuously improving punctuality and reliability, safety, customer service and information”.

Shaun Rodenburg, acting director of bus safety at TSV, said: “We are working with Transdev to make sure the immediate safety issues are effectively managed and their safety systems are sufficiently robust to ensure the ongoing safety of their bus services.”

The company is also battling vandalism problems, with Leader revealing in March that Transdev was forking out more than $1 million a year removing graffiti from its fleet.

Transdev bus company spends more than $1-million on removing graffiti each year. Picture: Kylie Else

Almost half its buses are housed at the Doncaster depot.

Transport Safety Victoria has confirmed it will follow up with another safety audit once Transdev has fixed the faulty buses and has ordered a more frequent audit regimen to monitor the company’s vehicle maintenance.

Transdev is yet to respond to Leader’s questions relating to the safety defects and how routes and customers will be affected.

Stuart Mackenzie, a member of the Manningham Integrated Transport Committee, said the safety issue was another concern for commuters already grappling with crowded and vandalised buses.

“They’re already under pressure with services so they wouldn’t be in a rush to take any off the roads, once in a blue moon I see a brand new bus but not very often so they’re probably starting to show their age,” he said.