Willowbrook bodies for Brighton
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• The first of a fleet of 20 Willowbrook-bodied Leyland Atlantean double-deckers for Brighton Corporation ^Transport was formally handed over last week. Designed specifically for 0-m-u, the buses are the first Willowbrook-bodied vehicles for Brighton, and the undertaking's first rear-engined double-deckers.
Five buses have been delivered as the first part of the contract, and are now in service; they will be followed by five more to be delivered late in June or early in July. Owing to extended waiting lists, however, delivery of the balance of 10 is not expected until late 1973 at the earliest.
The buses are normal height double-deckers, with an overall length of 9.5 metres, and are fitted with a tramcar type step at the front entrance. A separate central exit is fitted, together with a forward-ascending staircase, and the vehicles seat 73 passengers (44 upper and 29 lower saloon).
Construction is of the standard Willowbrook metal-framed type incorporat ing steel structural members for the underframe and pillars. The floors are level on both decks and are covered with Treadmaster materials, while all interior_ lining is in Formica.
Externally, the buses are finished in the undertaking's new blue and white livery, which has also been applied to 13 of the earlier buses in service, in place of the former red and cream.