Over 400 New Routemasters will be receiving software updates following a rear door malfunction – Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed to CBW.
The issue first arose in November of last year when a rear door opened while the vehicle was moving.
The system became overloaded with close requests and so opened the door to attempt a re-cycle.
Because the bus was travelling at under 5mph when the door opened, the halt brake was applied – injuring a passenger.
Manufacturer Wrightbus has updated the software and approximately 200 of 423 New Routemasters have been successfully modified at bus garages so far – with the remainder scheduled for completion as soon as possible.
CBW spoke to TfL, which confirmed that the circumstances in which the door opening took place are unusual and extremely unlikely to be repeated. The recall notice has been issued as the bus’ operator, Arriva London, self-reported the issue to the DVSA (Driver Vehicle Standards Agency). The vehicles are not being ‘recalled’ back to Wrightbus but are receiving software updates in local bus garages.
Gareth Powell, TfL’s Director of Strategy and Contracted Services, said: “The fault we identified would only occur at very low speed and if the driver doesn’t follow the correct procedure. As a precaution, the manufacturer, Wrightbus, is carrying out a software update at no cost to Transport for London.”
