Low-floor bus will be
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Dutch treat by Bill Godwin
THE development of city service buses with ultra-low floor and boarding heights has occupied operators in several countries almost as much as the vehicle Industry itself.
Some time ago 'the MagirusDeutz engined, small-wheeled Hamburg prototype of that undertaking's Urbanbus and all rights in the design were acquired by Daimler-Benz to yield data for future design w3rk.
Now I learn of the first stages of a programme drawn up in the Netherlands to design a new low-floor bus for urban routes. Main feature of the integral vehicle will be a floor height of only 60cm extending over the greater part of the interior ; ie 40cm (16in) lcwer than the present average. This will result in a first step boarding height ci only 36cm (14fin).
A clue to the Dutch project is seen in the recent order by Netherlands Railways for 25 Leyland Nationals, performance and technical features of which are to be closely evaluated for possible incorporation in the new domestic product.