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New bendy bus blaze scare
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard02.10.07
Fresh safety fears were raised today after another bendy bus burst into flames.
The No25 caught fire in Ilford, gutting the entire rear section.
It was not in service but safety campaigners and drivers are concerned it could have been much more serious.
The bus was travelling from its depot at Waterden Road, Stratford. to Ilford, where it was due to enter service on Saturday.
In 2004 the entire fleet of 120 bendy buses was withdrawn after a series of fires within weeks of each other.
Three were in service while another was being driven along the M25 for delivery when the engine caught fire.
No one was seriously injured in any of the fires but dozens of passengers were forced to flee. A year later a blaze in the engine set the No436 on fire in New Cross.
The incidents led to the buses, introduced by Ken Livingstone in 2001, being dubbed "Ken's chariots of fire".
Today London TravelWatch spokeswoman Jo de Bank said: "We are very lucky that no one was on board this bus as we could have been dealing with very serious injuries and even fatalities.
"In the past we have similarly been lucky that people have escaped unhurt.
"Safety of the passenger must be of paramount importance and this incident must be urgently investigated." The fire led to bus drivers writing of their concerns on the internet. One said: "How many more fires will it take until Transport for London removes these mobile fire hazards from the streets?"
The £200,000 buses were brought in to replace the much-loved Routemaster. Only three of the older buses were destroyed by fire in 45 years.
Passenger groups warned after the 2004 fires that had the buses been full - they can carry 140 - there could have been a major tragedy.
In the first incident in December 2003 the fire was so intense it not only gutted the bus but also a nearby building in Edgware Road.
When bendy buses began bursting into flames, German manufacturer EvoBus dismissed the first two incidents as a "terrible coincidence" while Transport for London insisted there were no significant problems.
By the third fire, EvoBus was forced to make modifications. A hose used in the engines was later identified as the problem.
An inquiry led to fire-suppression equipment being fitted to the buses and all the vehicles being checked by staff before they leave the depot. The cause of the latest blaze is not known. TfL was not available for comment.
Reader views (11)
A modern routemaster is needed not these chariots of chaos.
I think the bus industry should be forced to make a modern one.the new buses of today are too flimsy. why not make the decision to get the blueprints and work from there.
I think bendy buses are best for airports,not the old streets of London and other cities.
- Mrmarkmarten, reading,berkshire
As much as I like routemaster, bendy buses are far more accessible to pushchairs and people with disabilities.
- Dw, London, UK
I hate these buses, they are a safety hazard. We need our old double deckers back.
- Abdel, Wembley, London
I'm a bus driver, and know that something must have gone seriously wrong, as ALL TfL buses have been fitted with engine fire suppression systems. For the bus to have burned that badly, the system must have been faulty. The tragedy is, the contract for the 453 route has just been re-awarded, with the contract stipulating BRAND NEW bendies! Another dicatorial decision proved wrong...
- Barry, Croydon, UK
Ah yes the anti-bendy bus brigade are up in arms agains, sometime ago there was a Metroline double deck bus and various double decks from different operators i.e East London/Selkent etc over the years that also caught fire but hey I don't here the chant "How many more fires will it take until Transport for London removes these mobile fire hazards from the streets?" Stuff for double deckers I wonder why? hmmmm.
- Anon, London
Side with Boris ~ we need a modern day, people-friendly Routemaster designed specially for our magnificent Capital ~ not a faceless Euromeister with an inherent design fault!
- Richard, London, England
It's not just the bendy buses that are a menace.
The 209 bus is one of the worst services I've ever used. Daily passengers take their lives in their hands when they ride on this route. Despite writing to the bus company and continually complaining the bad driving and complete indifference to the safety and comfort of passengers continues.
The bus starts off from the bus station in Hammersmith, and not waiting for the passengers to be seated the driver jerks at the wheel so that elderly passengers are thrown across the aisle. Another habit the drivers have is of abruptly shutting the doors in the faces of waiting passengers, even when there are plenty of seats and shooting out of the station. Equally annoying is the trend of 209 buses arriving at the station to hide behind the waiting 283 bus and then take off without picking up any waiting passengers.
I believe this is because the bus company is not paid for how many passengers they carry but how many journeys they make. Another of Livingstone's brilliant schemes!
- Anne Wotana Kaye , London England
Happy, burnt buses!
- John H. Evans, London, U.K.
These things are dangerous monstrosities that most people ride for free. Ken promised us he'd keep the Routemaster and he gave us these. Will he provide free funerals when people are burned to death on them?
- R M, London, UK
Perhaps it's arsonists.
A lot of people hate these things with a vengence.
- James S, London
'Chariots of fire' indeed! Not only are they a fire risk but a damn pain in the neck on the streets of London. When they stop so does all other traffic!
- Colin, Cebu, Philippines
