NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY'S WITHDRAWAL OF ITS GRUMMAN FLXIBLE BUSES

In February 1984 the New York City Transit Authority withdrew its entire fleet of 851 Grumman Flxible Model 870 Advanced Design buses from service because of claimed safety and reliability deficiencies. This $92 million fleet had been ordered less than 4 years earlier with UMTA funding totaling $74 million. Prior to withdrawal the fleet had already been subjected to builder's recalls. At the request of a House of Representatives committee, this study showed: (1) On the basis of NYCTA records, the Grumman suggested mileage inspections had generally been met or exceeded, although NYCTA's more stringent requirements were not always fulfilled; (2) NYCTA records showed that there had been more problems with Grumman buses than with other models it operated; (3) About 60 percent of other transit agencies operating the Model 870 were generally satisfied with the performance. While TA did not notify UMTA prior to removing the 870s from service, as its grant agreement required it to do, it has subsequently settled the UMTA claim by giving the federal government an interest in $56 million of NYCTA assets not purchased with federal funds. This gave NYCTA clear title to the Grumman fleet which has since been placed in storage. Ultimate disposition has not been determined.

  • Corporate Authors:

    U.S. General Accounting Office

    441 G Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20548
  • Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

  • Pagination: 12 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00391934
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: GAO/RCED-85-50, B-217074
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM