:loopy:

Who actually allows these smokey buses to pass it M.O.T. then?

or are they exempt?

There is no way many of these are fit and shouldn't be allowed on the road.

All vehicles that are taxed for road use must pass an MOT, All the independent bus operators have to go to Handsworth DVLA station, First Mainline have their own MOT bays, You can report smoky vehicles though, I think its the environment agency but I could be wrong

Surprise Surprise, it the mainlines bus that was the offender.

Let me get this right - they have their own MOT bay meaning that no one is regulating them but themselves? So in short, they can pass whatever they like.

Are S Yorks Police only spot checking private vehicles then? Don't buses count?

If you want to report a smoky exhaust ring this number:

0113 2887818

It belongs to the Vehicle Inspectorate Pollution hotline. You need to give them the vehicle's details and your name and address.

I used to drive for mainline,you'd be suprised at the state of some of the buses, at least half of the older ones would fail a rigorous MOT,many was the time I was told to take a bus out knowing it was faulty, if you refused you were threatened with desciplinary action,things may have improved some since they got a batch of new buses but I doubt it. If a private vehicle was presented for a MOT test in the condition some of mainline were in, it would be refused and sent to a scrap yard.

Originally posted by Viper17
I used to drive for mainline,you'd be suprised at the state of some of the buses, at least half of the older ones would fail a rigorous MOT,many was the time I was told to take a bus out knowing it was faulty, if you refused you were threatened with desciplinary action,things may have improved some since they got a batch of new buses but I doubt it. If a private vehicle was presented for a MOT test in the condition some of mainline were in, it would be refused and sent to a scrap yard.

I was amazed how some of those old Yorkshire Terrier managed to get through MOTs nevermind the mainline ones.

Does anyone remember the bus wars a few years back?

Originally posted by Lickszz
I was amazed how some of those old Yorkshire Terrier managed to get through MOTs nevermind the mainline ones.

Does anyone remember the bus wars a few years back?

Yes, I recall seeing a bus stopping at a red traffic light only to be overtaken by the one behind. I also remember being the only person at a bus stop and the first bus along going straight past as the next stop had a group of people waiting.

I also used to drive for mainline and have had Deckers blow up on me and all sorts of other scary stuff!! The majority of Mainlines Double Deckers are over 20 years old and falling to pieces! Like the other poster said, if you refuse to drive these wrecks you are up for a disciplinary!! :loopy:

Hmm, I'm glad someone has posted this cos I've often wondered it myself. I've seen lots of smokey exhaust fumes from buses and vans and I've sat in my car feeling disgruntled that my car would surely fail its MOT if it were doing the same thing. I think I'm going to have to start reporting these people on that phone number provided above since it doesn't seem fair to me!

Originally posted by John
Surprise Surprise, it the mainlines bus that was the offender.

Let me get this right - they have their own MOT bay meaning that no one is regulating them but themselves? So in short, they can pass whatever they like.

I am led to believe that the testers are employed by Mainline, and have to allow a DVLA guy to watch them once a year.( does this mean they only test 1 bus properly per year?)

Im just amazed that they get away with the blatent red light skipping they do without even so much as a batter of an eyelid. Its not just when its amber turning to red its when its been on red for a bit they just seem to get fed up waiting. Is there some kind of law that they can go through if theyre running late? My driving has improved so much since ive been coming over to sheffield for uni cos of the number of near collisions ive had with stupid buses who just go through red and sound their horn as theyre going through as if that makes it OK!!!

Originally posted by max
Yes, I recall seeing a bus stopping at a red traffic light only to be overtaken by the one behind. I also remember being the only person at a bus stop and the first bus along going straight past as the next stop had a group of people waiting.

I remember almost getting sandwiched between numerous buses on High street & Waingate. I remember counting at least 8 different bus companies on high street one time.