Buses withdrawn from service

Introduced last year and hailed as ‘‘top of the line’’, more than 10 double-decker buses have been taken off Auckland roads, after a fault in the chassis was found.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesperson said the issue was discovered on one bus, by an operator, and the bus was immediately withdrawn from service.

‘‘As a result, all similar model buses have been inspected and have since been undergoing daily inspections,’’ they said.

Eleven Ritchies buses have been removed from service and 14 buses that were due for delivery to NZ Bus also contained the fault and would not be introduced until the fault was rectified.

In early 2016, AT and Ritchies introduced 15 double-deckers to the Northern Express service to increase capacity on the busway by at least 15 per cent.

At the time, Ritchies managing director Andrew Ritchie said the new additions were ‘‘top of the line buses’’ built in China with ‘‘passenger safety and comfort in mind’’.

North Shore Ward councillor Chris Darby said the buses affected were a small number in the total Auckland fleet of more than 1300. He said they had been pulled from service and repair work was being done.

‘‘Rigorous maintenance programmes, as required in Auckland Transport’s service contracts, have shone a light on some chassis irregularities on a small number of double decker buses,’’ Darby said. ‘‘There is absolutely no cause for alarm, it’s business as usual on the buses.’’

AT’s acting media manager James Ireland said AT was aware work was being done and this was not unusual.

‘‘Vehicle manufacturers identify and remedy issues as they are found,’’ he said.

Ireland said the work was being supervised by NZTAcertified independent engineers and the cost of repair sat with the bus manufacturer and operator, not with AT.

Group manager AT metro operations Brendon Main said the work was a purely precautionary measure.

‘‘We’ve taken a conservative approach because the safety of passengers, drivers and other motorists is paramount,’’ he said.

When first asked about chassis issues with the buses, Ritchie said it was news to him. He hadn’t responded to another request for comment.

Some Northern Express double-decker buses have been taken off the roads after a fault with the chassis was discovered.