Police officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command today inspected a number of buses as part of a continuous campaign to ensure the roadworthiness of all vehicles using NSW roads, NSW Police say.
Operation Butler targeted two depots belonging to the bus company in Burwood and Leichhardt after buses operated by the company were allegedly involved in four serious crashes this year, one resulting in a fatality.
Officers inspected 48 buses and found 10 defects including; damaged tyres, lose light fixtures, damaged and unsecured passenger seats, cracked framework, and accident damage.
Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said increased enforcement was necessary to ensure all vehicles, operators and industry fully understood the need for compliance.
"Those findings send a message to everyone involved that non-compliance will not be tolerated because that means lives are being put at risk."
"Operators that are directly involved in transporting passengers have to lead by example because the risk of multiple injuries or deaths multiplies when a bus crashes," Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
Over the past 12 months, buses operated by the company have been involved in:
• 309 reported crashes
• 79 injury or fatal collisions
• 112 police vehicle stops
• 7 school zone speeds
• 24 other speeds
• 5 PCAs (LR and MRPCA) Charges
• 1 Drive whilst disqualified 2nd offence charge
• 1 Negligent Drive occasioning death charge
• 233 infringements for various traffic offences
The four serious crashes the company’s buses were involved in are;
- 28 April 2016, a bus was involved in a fatal collision on Beecroft Road Epping.
- 20 June 2016, a pedestrian and was hit by a bus whilst crossing the road in Mosman, suffering serious leg injuries.
- 1 July 2016, a number of bus passengers and pedestrians were seriously injured when a bus collided with a number of parked vehicles, trees and light poles.
- 8 August 2016, a bus and car crashed at Marion Street and Newton Road in Strathfield.
