Officers from the Joint Traffic Task Force today inspected a number of buses at depots in Artarmon and North Ryde, after a bus crashed into two houses in Sydney’s north-west on the weekend, NSW Police say.
About 10am today, officers conducted a compliance audit of 31 buses belonging to the company and identified a number of defects.
During the inspections, 16 defect notices were issued for a variety of defects including brake and seatbelt issues, and ten drivers underwent random breath and drug tests, all of which were negative.
The operation came in response to a crash on Saturday (16 September 2017), when a bus travelling west on Epping Road, North Ryde, left the roadway and mounted the kerb, travelling through the front yard of one home before hitting another two homes.
The driver, a 61-year-old man, was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where he underwent mandatory blood and urine tests. Investigations are continuing as officers await results from the mandatory tests.
Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver of the state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said Joint Traffic Task Force operations are run to ensure the safety of all road users.
"Given the important work that local buses perform every day of the week, it is imperative that they are safe and compliant.
"The Joint traffic Task Force will continue to respond to any major heavy vehicle crashes involving trucks, buses, and other large vehicles to ensure those fleets are being driven, serviced, and managed safely on our roads.
"Bus and heavy vehicle operators can expect us to come knocking at any time to ensure safety standards are being met," Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
