Depot fire damages six buses17 June 2022

Six Transport for London buses were damaged in a fire at the Potters Bar, Hertfordshire bus depot of operator Metroline on 22 May.

A Metroline spokesman said: We can confirm that all personnel were successfully evacuated and that there were no injuries. We will work closely with the emergency services to investigate the cause of the fire.”

According to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue service, the fire damaged two electric Switch Mobility Metrodecker EVs and four diesel buses, but thanks to its action – eight fire appliances were called out to the scene – there was no other damage.

In the immediate aftermath of the event, Switch Mobility suspended operations of its Metrodecker EVs. At the time, it said: “Safety is paramount to Switch and as a precautionary measure we have advised operators not to charge or utilise vehicles that use the same battery technology as the vehicles involved while investigations continue.”

However, in early June, a TfL spokesperson said that the ban had been rescinded: "Following a thorough investigation by Switch Mobility which TfL has reviewed, we are assured that its buses are safe to return to service. We apologise to any customers who experienced disruption while checks were being carried out.”

Author
Transport Engineer

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