Buses are too big

GUERNSEY’S buses really are far too big. Environment member Deputy Ivan Rihoy made the admission as the department looks to spend £200,000 on two new vehicles.

But despite Deputy Ivan Rihoy’s concerns, they could still be the same size - or even wider - with the department yet to decide.

Deputy Rihoy said that in meetings with Island Coachways the size of buses has been spoken about.

The bus company is keen vehicles in future are the same size, he said.

‘I have had concerns myself that they are far too big,’ said Deputy Rihoy.

‘I believe for certain routes the buses are too big and I think a lot of people would agree.

‘But it’s not to say we won’t get the same size buses, or even smaller.’

He added that the department’s concern was whether the vehicles were the best buses for the job,’ he said.

‘What we have not decided is their size.’

He insisted that they must pay and be good for Guernsey.

‘Nothing has yet been decided about how we will go out to tender,’ he said.

‘I can assure you that all the issues will be taken on board with the size, length and what routes they will service.’

‘Each bus has a lifespan and we don’t want to run them into the ground and there has to be some consideration about a rolling programme for replacing them,’ he said.

There was a write-off factor for buses and the likes of depreciation and what second-hand value they have has to be considered, he added.

‘Over a period of time, vehicles used the most have clocked-up the mileage and will be the first ones to be replaced.

‘We are looking to replace the entire fleet within 10 years because they will not be economical to run.’

Reports had suggested that the new buses could be wider, but shorter, than the current vehicles, but this has not been confirmed.