Wrightbus has recalled 468 New Routemaster buses due to a steering fault.
The potential fault was with the vehicles’ power assisted steering, which could potential have become non-functional. This was due to the wiring connections in the electrically-operated power assisted steering pump, which the manufacturer said may not have been correctly formed.
The remedial action required was to check the inverters’ looms and where necessary replace the inverter.
The vehicles in question were built between March 1, 2012 and September 10, 2015.
Mike Weston, Transport for London (TfL) Director of Buses, said: “A fault was found in the electrical wiring of a unit, which provides the power-assisted steering, in one new Routemaster bus in September 2015.
“As is standard practice, Wrightbus informed the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency and, as a precaution, decided to replace the unit on the 468 buses which were manufactured with this component, with the fault found on one further bus.
“There was no impact on passenger safety or service, and the precautionary work was completed at no cost to TfL or the taxpayer.”
The Belfast Telegraph reported that out of the remaining 466 units replaced, only one additional bus showed the same fault. The replacement programme took place between October 2015 and February 2016.
