Two buses were grounded on Friday (29 November) at Melbourne Airport in an early morning bus safety blitz.
The blitz was a joint operation between Bus Safety Victoria (BSV), Victoria Police Heavy Vehicle Unit and Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria.
Lisa Faldon, Director Bus Safety, said that surprise collaborative operations are one of the most important bus safety enforcement activities.
“These collaborations help us ensure that our enforcement activities have the best spread possible to underscore the mandate of the Bus Safety Act and BSV’s role to ensure public confidence in the safety of the bus system.”
In total, 37 buses were checked and we found:
- One person providing a commercial bus service without being accredited (grounded).
- Two buses were not equipped with operating fire extinguishers. The operators may be issued with infringement notices.
- One commercial minibus operator using a 16-seat vehicle instead of one with maximum seating capacity of 12 (grounded).
- Six buses with unroadworthy items, including tyres and suspension. Defect notices were issued.
- Six trailers with unroadworthy items, including worn or insecure couplings, inoperative lights and worn tyres. Defect notices were issued.
- Two drivers using an unroadworthy vehicle/trailer on a highway. Infringement notices were issued.
- Eight driver work diary infringements.
In addition to the inspection of buses and driver licences/accreditations, Victoria Police conducted drug and alcohol testing of bus drivers and checked for fatigue management.
“BSV is playing a part in supporting the effort to reduce the road toll.
“A regulator must hold all operators to the one standard because the bottom line is that safety for passengers, drivers and other road users is paramount.
“Bus operators should expect to see us anywhere, anytime.
“We work to ensure that the many visitors to Victoria who take bus trips have a positive experience underpinned by safe travel,” said Ms Faldon.
BSV will be following up all matters with the applicable bus operators.
