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THE TROUBLED Scilly over-60s dial-a-ride Buzza Bus is "idling at the door of the last chance saloon". "This evaluation highlighted technical issues that Allied Vehicles have worked hard to solve," said project co-ordinator, Amy Hiron. In the autumn, the electric bus was in Scotland at the headquarters of makers Allied Vehicles. The Peugeot's "last chance saloon" epitaph came from community services director, Penny Penn-Howard, when councillors were regaled with the latest chapter in the saga of the "bus-that-has-never-worked". It then broke down on its way to Penzance quay for shipment to Scilly and continued with a series of failures on St Mary's roads. It has languished for much of the time unworkable and a butt of island jibes. While it was on the mainland for repairs, the service, which was being covered by an alternative diesel vehicle, was shortlisted for a national newspaper's transport awards. The service has been dogged by the electrical vehicle's problems, which started when it was stranded in Calais during a French national holiday. It is now in Cornwall for testing and ought to be returned to the islands this week. |
Friday, 10 February 2012
'Last chance' for troubled electric bus
