§ 39. Mr. Hayesasked the Secretary of State for Transport how the safety record regarding bus maintenance compares between the private and public bus operators.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe maintenance of all buses is important and my Department keeps a close watch on their operating standards in both the public and private sectors.
The effectiveness of bus maintenance is monitored (i) by the condition of the vehicles at their annual test; and (ii) by their condition at random spot checks.
As the following figures show, the initial pass rates in the annual test—that is, excluding passes following immediate rectification of faults—show no significant difference between private and public sector operators. Statistics of spot checks are not at present broken down by operator groups; this will be done in future.
I have no evidence that private sector vehicles are more prone to maintenance related accidents than other PSVs.
Pass rates at PSV annual test by operator group 1983–84 Operator Number of Vehicles Tested Initial Pass Rate Percentage NBC 14,173 60 PTE 9,247 49 Local Authority 5,168 67 Private 28,634 56 London Transport 4,965 47 Scottish Bus Group 3,105 67 TOTAL 65,292 57