Blue Bird bus riders beware: the transportation vehicle maker is recalling over 2,500 all-american school busses for a steering issue.
The multiple passenger vehicle manufacturer's pull back also includes 388 automobiles made from 2012 or 2013. These can leak propane and potentially lead to a hazardous fire according to the Associated Press.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states the fuel can leak in "severe environments." This is especially true when the bus' fitting on its aluminum fuel pipes deteriorates at the point the product connects to the vehicle's brass supply valve housing component - where drivers pour fuel into the mobile's gas tank.
In regards to the steering problem - which affects certain busses manufactured from 2011 and May 2013 - the wheel's steering shaft clamp can hit a rubber close-out boot, located on the floor of the vehicle. Blue Bird has kept tabs on the matter since Sept. 2013 when the company heard of the possibly aggravating issue's first instance according to AP. Mechanics will replace the product with a stainless steel steering component to complete the fix.
The recall is the first report of bus safety problems since the 87-year-old company released a presser, June 26, 2014 chock full of statements from other transportation companies that praised the high quality busses.
"We've had no issues what-so-ever on them and the deployment has been smooth," explained Allen Lamers, president at Lamer's Bus Lines. "We received comprehensive training from our local dealer, Wisconsin Bus Sales, along with Roush CleanTech and our local propane provider. From all aspects, the buses are logical, simple and require minimal adaptation. Propane autogas is a great option for school buses and we couldn't be more pleased with our fleet."
