An inordinate amount of breakdowns by at least nine of the new electric buses during Tuesday’s extended period of torrential rain has caused concern as to the short and long term viability of the vehicles.
Varying reports coming in to TNN had as few as nine and as many as 11 of the ‘made in China’ Golden Dragon Bus Company branded fleet having fallen into disrepair as a result of being driven in the rain.
One vehicle, which failed near Fort Scaur in Somerset, interrupting traffic flow had to be towed to the property of the former Hitching Post, where it sat idle for several hours.
Sources within the Department of Public Transportation (DPT) told TNN that the situation was an “absolute mess” and that “you get what you pay for”, referencing how Government had proclaimed great cost savings in purchasing and operations, although the latter will likely now come under greater scrutiny if such breakdowns become the norm during bad weather periods.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Transport confirmed that there had been widespread issues in service due to the the breakdowns, adding that the DPT were in communication with Golden Dragon Bus Company regarding what was said to have been a known fault with many of the vehicles.
A technician with specialised experience with the buses was also reported to be enroute to Bermuda to assist in rectifying problems with the vehicles.
Some questioned whether buses made in China were compatible to Bermuda’s climate, however it should be noted that the massive asian nation is not foreign to heavy rain, with many parts of the communist country enduring seasonal monsoon rains that are often life threatening.
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