We have been receiving quite a few calls regarding ongoing defects that appear not to be fixed, but the bus is back on the road. This seems to be a problem at all
depots, but some more than others. As always, it falls back to us to do the right thing and, WRITE UP THE DEFECT.

It is very hard to come into a depot to discuss an ongoing defect only to find that the bus hasn't been defected in months. We pretty much look like idiots when we respond to driver's calls but they haven't done the paperwork.

I have contacted the PTA asking if we can refer these ongoing defect problems to them, and hopefully get their fleet people to investigate. I am still waiting for a response as they have to check how far they are allowed to go - so to speak.

It is probably a good time to bring up the usual six-monthly problems we experience.

• Heater / Demisters & Airconditioners.
  Each year we seem to defect the same buses for thesame problems, only to be fobbed off for 6 months until we forget about it for another year.
• Some bus firms don't properly fix equipment on the older buses because these buses are eventually going to be replaced.
• The TWU maintains that if a bus is deemed suitable to be on the road it should have all its equipment working especially Heater / Demisters and Air Conditioners.

If drivers get the opportunity over the next few weeks, please check the demisters on your bus, if they don't work, defect them and let your depot delegates know. It is the only way we can keep on top of the problem before the inevitable six- monthly cycle starts all over again.