Vol. 541 No. 4
133 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science the maintenance record of a school bus (details supplied); if he has satisfied himself as to the road worthiness of the vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21050/01]
It is assumed that this question refers to a vehicle registered in 1983 rather than 1988, as given by the Deputy in the details. The latest information available to my Department regarding the maintenance record of the vehicle since 1998 is given in the following statement. The narrow country roads and pot-holed terrain, over which school buses typically travel, subject the coaches to considerable structural stress, which is a contributory factor in their failure rate. When the bus was off the road, for any reason, other arrangements were made to ensure that the service operated. This vehicle was included in a programmed schedule of preventative maintenance procedures, designed to keep these occurrences to a minimum.
The question of upgrading the school bus fleet is primarily a matter for Bus Éireann and the private contractors who provide a high proportion of the school bus fleet. As part of its ongoing policy of improving the age and condition of the school bus fleet, Bus Éireann has arrangements in train to purchase more modern vehicles for school transport purposes with an emphasis on replacing the oldest buses in the fleet. In addition, more modern vehicles are being introduced into the school bus fleet on a phased basis as new buses are being introduced on road passenger services. My Department is awaiting details from Bus Éireann of the timescale for the allocation of these more modern vehicles and the implications for the replacement of the vehicle in question. These initiatives will result in a further general improvement in the age and condition of the fleet.
Maintenance Record –
Vehicle Registration Number 83 D 3877
|
Roadside Repairs |
Garage for Repairs dueto Mechanical Failure |
Docking,Servicing(Programmed) |
|
01/09/98BatteriesFlat |
17/01/98EngineSmoky,Poor Power |
24/01/98 |
|
08/09/98AlternatorBelts |
03/12/98Water Leak |
05/06/98 |
|
10/09/98Fuel Trouble |
04/05/99Fuel Trouble |
30/07/98 |
|
03/12/98Water Leak |
11/09/99DemistersChargingLights |
04/12/98 |
|
22/04/99Fuel Trouble |
06/11/99Tail Lights |
10/05/99 |
|
04/05/99Fuel Trouble |
26/05/00Saloon Glass |
10/08/99 |
|
07/05/99Vibration inDrive |
11/01/01Brake andHeadlights |
02/09/99 |
|
27/05/99BatteriesFlat |
27/01/01BrakesSticking andDoor notoperating |
08/11/99 |
|
08/06/99BatteriesFlat |
04/04/01Overheating |
28/04/00 |
|
11/01/00AlternatorBelts |
07/09/00 |
|
|
07/03/00Lights |
10/11/00 |
|
|
10/04/00BatteriesFlat |
30/01/01 |
|
|
13/06/00Stop Lights |
26/04/01 |
