Formal investigation following fall from moving B-line bus
Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) has launched a formal investigation into a road incident, after a passenger fell from a moving bus near the Spit Bridge on 28 September. The 16-year-old passenger, who was standing near the rear door of a blue double-decker B-line service, fell out of the bus when the door opened while the bus was moving. She was injured and taken to hospital.
OTSI released the interim factual statement for their investigation on 30 September. The office’s investigations are independent and do not attribute blame. Rather, they aim to comprehend why an incident occurred and the safety factors involved, alongside making non-binding recommendations to improve safety and prevent similar incidents.
A Transport for NSW (TfNSW) spokesperson told PL that the department ‘continues to work with the operator and authorities regarding the incident.’
“Since then, the bus has been withdrawn from service, and a number of inspections across Greater Sydney have taken place to ensure that safety standards are met,” the spokesperson said.
The bus in question was operated by private company Keolis Northern Beaches. In a media statement, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said it was investigating similar incidents where doors have allegedly opened on other Keolis-operated buses.
“Drivers are telling us this may not be the first time one of these doors has opened unexpectedly,” said RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division Secretary Peter Grech.
“We are currently checking the circumstances, but Keolis cannot leave passengers wondering if there were warnings it simply failed to act on.”
“If a door can open while a bus is moving, then that bus cannot be carrying the public. If other buses have the same fault, they cannot be carrying the public either.”
Mr Grech noted that some buses have been pulled from service, but more needed to be done.
“Keolis and Transport for NSW need to be fully transparent about similar problems within their fleets. They must come clean about this specific fault and exactly how long they’ve known about it,” he said.
Keolis Northern Beaches said they are ‘working with the authorities.’ “Given there is an active investigation, we cannot speculate on the cause of the incident until the investigation is concluded,” the company said in a statement.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby and Wakehurst MP Michael Regan called for an urgent safety briefing following the incident.
“We were assured all buses were immediately checked after the incident and before being let back on the road,” Mr Regan told PL.
“I said that I believe the incident should not have happened and maintain that. Like everyone, I was shocked. And we are relieved that the young lady in question had only minor injuries.
“Our bus drivers have an incredibly demanding job and deserve every respect and higher wages. I feel for the driver involved and trust he is being supported.”
Mr Regan informed PL that the OTSI investigation is due to be finalised early next year. “I eagerly await its findings and recommendations,” he said.
In October, the findings of an OTSI investigation into a previous incident involving a Keolis-operated bus were published, where a 172X service drove into the carport of a North Balgowlah home. The release of the report comes exactly one year after the incident occurred.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby told PL there were questions about what action would be taken following such an investigation.
“The enquiry is a fact-finding exercise,” she said. “Once OTSI makes their findings, what is the process and what’s next from that?…Who takes responsibility with that?”
Ms Scruby said she will continue to seek answers and intends to consult with both Keolis and the RTBU.