The City of P.A. purchased the Vicinity buses in 2018. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Transit trouble

Entire fleet of P.A. transit buses affected by cracked frames

Apr 30, 2021 | 1:56 PM

Two weeks after the City of P.A. pulled its transit fleet off the road after cracked frames were discovered on several buses, an inspection has confirmed the problem extends to all seven of the city’s Vicinity buses.

City manager Jim Toye told paNOW while five buses have “more significant” cracked crossmembers, cracked supports were found elsewhere on the frames of all seven vehicles.

The inspection occurred last week and was attended by city staff, the company contracted to operate the buses, and the manufacturer.

Toye said the manufacturer, Grand West Transportation Group, has confirmed it will cover the cost of the repairs.

He noted the city still has around 10 years left in its 14-year warranty on the buses.

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“We want to make sure that any shoring up that needs to be done on the frame is completed right now,” Toye said.

Toye said the buses are inspected twice a year by city staff and the contractor First Bus Canada is responsible for more regular safety inspections and cleaning, although “it appears they may not be doing that.”

A build-up of mud or snow under the buses could have made it more difficult to spot potential issues, Toye continued.

Asked if cracks were found during the last regular city inspection, Toye said he did not have that information.

Currently, Grand West Transportation Group is working on a report which will include a detailed repair plan, once that’s sent to P.A., Toye said the city will be able to hire someone to do the repairs.

He also offered some reassurance to riders.

“When they do come back to us… from a third-party company who’s welded them up and double and triple checked them, we will make sure that our checks are much more frequent, that they’re done by the proper personnel, and if they do see something that has started that, we nip it in the bud and we don’t wait a year or two years or anything like that,” he said.

Temporary replacement buses continue to serve P.A. transit routes.

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alison.sandstrom@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alisandstrom