67 Buses Pulled After OCTD Finds Cracks in Frames

Sixty-seven Orange County Transit District Gillig Phantom buses were pulled from service Thursday after cracks caused the rear suspension on two of them to collapse and mechanics found cracks in others.

OCTD officials said Thursday’s action--involving the largest number of buses ever pulled from service at one time--will result in some delays in service. Those buses represent more than 15% of the district’s 440-bus fleet, and they also are the only OCTD buses equipped with hydraulic lifts for wheelchair-bound riders.

Details of the two incidents involving collapsed suspension were not disclosed, but OCTD spokeswoman Joanne Curran said the first occurred last week and the second last weekend. Curran said she does not believe that anyone was injured or left stranded.

“Today we removed from service 67 Gillig Phantom buses due to cracks discovered in the rear-end suspension of two of the vehicles,” Curran said. “Follow-up inspections on the remainder of the fleet revealed additional cracks which necessitated the removal of all 67 (buses) as a precautionary measure.

“Two buses were in service, and the cracks caused the rear ends to fall down onto the rear wheel axles,” Curran said. Those buses had to be towed, she said.

Curran said the buses were bought last year from the Gillig firm in Hayward and are “the newest buses in OCTD’s 440-bus fleet.” The buses can carry a maximum of 46 passengers.

Because the vehicles will be out of service indefinitely, Curran said, there may be “service delays or disruptions, particularly for handicapped passengers.”

The buses are under warranty and will be repaired by Gillig, Curran said. Gillig officials could not be reached for comment.

Curran said that handicapped bus riders will not be stranded at the bus stops. When a bus without a wheelchair lift comes upon a wheelchair passenger, the driver will radio for a Dial-a-Ride van to pick up the passenger. Dial-a-Ride vans are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

In January, 1981, OCTD pulled 17 Grumman Flxible buses out of service when an inspection of a shipment of 65 new buses revealed cracks in the A-frame. In that case, Grumman officials had notified OCTD and 26 other transit systems of the safety hazard after a frame on a Grumman bus in Hartford, Conn., broke.

In April, 1980, the district pulled 14 Grumman buses out of service because of fumes that were making some drivers and passengers feel ill. The problem was traced to loose panels and a faulty air-conditioning system.