Six buses broke down yesterday morning, causing transport problems across the island.

The news means 72 out of 105 buses are out of service, which is nearly 70 per cent of the fleet.

The figure is the highest reported in recent times, and almost double the total of 39 given in June last year.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport and Regulatory Affairs blamed the problem on a lack of investment in new vehicles.

The spokesman said: “Buses used to be replaced annually or biannually.

“The last time buses were purchased was in 2014; before that 2009. The ageing fleet has become unreliable.”

Some of the vehicles were said to have been off the road for months as they are due to be scrapped. The spokesman said: “We are rebuilding some engines. Buses are repaired and sent back into the field, only to return with another fault.”

Overheating of the engines was said to be a significant problem, but new buses on order are said to be less prone to overheating.

The spokesman said new vehicles were expected to be on the island’s roads “near the end of the year”.

He added that maintenance staff work overtime to get buses back in service in the meantime.

The spokesman apologised to bus service users and he said the Bermuda Government was “in the process of determining how this longstanding issue can finally be addressed, once and for all”.