Ongoing servicing and maintenance can ensure that all of the buses and coaches in your fleet are running like they should for as long as possible. In this post we’ll outline the regular bus and coach maintenance tasks that will help you keep your fleet safe and roadworthy.
As a fleet operator, you have a legal obligation to ensure the buses and coaches in your fleet are safe for use on public roads. Our commercial motoring experts can help you understand your responsibilities. For more information, contact us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
John Donaghy, Senior Manager, Commercial Motor and Fleet Risks at Anthony Jones says:
“If you can evidence the steps you take to keep your vehicles in good condition, you could make a saving on the cost of commercial vehicle insurance.
“Keep good records of your maintenance schedules and you’ll be able to evidence your policies and procedures to insurers. They may take this as a sign that you take risk management seriously, which may result in more competitive quotes.”
Benefits of Bus & Coach Maintenance
Regular maintenance is particularly vital if you’re running a bus or coach fleet. On-going maintenance of your fleet can:
- Help you avoid costly repairs in the long-term.
- Give you safer, happier, and healthier customers and drivers through regular cleaning.
- Reduce the risk of vandalism and crime by having vehicles frequently looked after.
- Keep your buses and coaches in service for much longer than many other commercial vehicles, which is essential due to stretched public transport budgets.
- Increase fuel efficiency my keeping your buses and coaches running at their best.
Maintenance is so important because buses and coaches are put under much more strain than many other commercial vehicles. They’re driven for miles every single day, with repeated starts and stops. They carry huge volumes of passengers, and your drivers have a duty of care to every single one of them.
Next, we’ll put together a checklist of regular bus and coach maintenance tasks that will help you keep your fleet safe and roadworthy.
Daily Bus and Coach Maintenance Tasks
- Thoroughly clean the bus or coach interior at the end of each day to keep it fresh and hygienic.
- Check the entire interior and exterior for any possible signs of damage or corrosion, so you can act on them as soon as possible.
- Also look out for any warning lights on the dashboard, and listen for any unusual sounds during operation, that may suggest a more serious issue.
Weekly Bus and Coach Maintenance Tasks
- Inspect the tyres for signs of wear and tear. Also check the pressure of each tyre, and adjust as necessary in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Check the fluid levels – engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windscreen washer. Top any up if need be.
- Inspect the engine, and examine the belts to ensure they have proper tension with no signs of cracking.
- Perform a brake test. If the brakes feel “spongy”, or otherwise different, then it may suggest that the brake pads are getting too worn.
- Test all of the vehicle’s interior and exterior lights.
- Test any systems that rely on the vehicle’s air system, such as the brakes and the doors. If it takes a while for the air pressure to build up, or if the system sounds strained, it may indicate that there’s a leak.
Monthly Bus and Coach Maintenance Tasks
- Check the battery voltage, and check the terminals for any signs of corrosion. Clean them if necessary.
- Check the power steering operation, and look for signs of wear in the steering system components.
- Test the door operation. Is the door properly aligned? Are there any cracks or degradation in the seals? Is the operating mechanism smooth?
- Test the vehicle’s heating and air conditioning systems. Inspect and clean all the visible components. If the vehicle is taking too long to heat or to cool, or if the system’s producing any unusual smells, you may need a more thorough servicing.
- Inspect the vehicle’s air filter, and clean or replace it as necessary.
- Make sure all of the vehicle’s emergency equipment is present, in-code, and in good condition.
- Inspect the vehicle’s suspension system for any signs of damage, including the mounting points and shock absorbers.
Annual Bus and Coach Maintenance Tasks
- Get a full engine service, which should include a full oil change, injector testing, and valve adjustments.
- A full service should also include chassis lubrication, a coolant flush, and a total inspection of the brake, transmission, and other major systems.
- Consider replacing one or all of the tyres each year, depending on the bus or coach’s annual mileage.
How Bus and Coach Maintenance Can Help You Save Money on Insurance
At Anthony Jones, we can tell you the sort of servicing and maintenance procedures that insurers are looking for. We can then help you access the specialist cover you need at the best price.
For more information, contact us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
