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BUS AND COACH BODII
Page 96
Page 97
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WHO MAKES WHAT
ALL coachbuilders constructing bodies for normal British stage carriage service are working where possible to the new Ministry of Transport standard dimensions so that the vehicles will qualify for the 25 per cent Government rebate of the cost of buses built to these standards.
The types approved by the Ministry do not, however, meet all the requirements of the bus operating industry. With regard to double-deckers, for example, they do not provide for a separate central exit for a 9.5m Low Height Bus although a 9.5m Normal Height Bus with such an exit does qualify. Again, the Low Height Bus is required to have an overall height of 13ft Sin—some operators need double-deckers with an overall height as low as 13ft Sin.
Furthermore, there is no provision for a 10m low-height double-decker, with or without a separate central exit, although such buses might be essential on some busy routes affected by low bridges.
In practice some operators are specifying buses which meet their needs and are applying for special dispensation to obtain grants for such buses. W. Alexander and Co. Ltd.. for example, are building 9.5m low-height double-deckers with separate exits, 10m low-height buses and 9.5m double-deckers with an overall height of 13ft 5in.
Luxury coaches designed for touring or private hire work are not eligible for Government grants. However, dual-purpose single-deckers with luxury type seating, used on both express and stage carriage services, can qualify for grants. In most cases such dual-purpose vehicles are based on a standard bus framework, though with a more elaborate exterior finish, and are frequently downgraded to normal full-time stage work after the first few years in service.
"Wide" doorways, specified for all standard double-deckers and low-floor single-deckers are double width, with an aperture between doors, when open, of 3ft 8in. (including handrails). High-floor single-deckers are required to have a single width front entrance/exit only, with a space of 2ft llin. between doors, when open.
To avoid repetition and to clarify the position the standard types approved by the Ministry, their stipulated overall lengths in metres and British linear measure, door positions and engine locations are listed below. The chassis models suitable for each category are also listed.
9m Bus (30ft lin.) Single front entrance/exit. Vertical front engine, centre underfloor-engine, rear underfloor-engine or rear vertical engine. Chassis available: front vertical engine. Seddon Pennine IV; centre underfloor-engine, chassis: AEC Reliance, Bristol LH, or Leyland Leopard: rear underfloor-engine, chassis: Bristol RESH; rear vertical engine, chassis: Daimler Fleetline.
10m Bus (32ft 10in.) Single front entrance/ exit. Engine positions as 9m high-floor bus. Chassis available: front vertical engine, Bedford VAM, Ford R192 or Seddon Pennine IV; centre underfloor-engine, chassis: AEC Reliance, Bristol LH, or Leyland Leopard; rear underfloor-engine, chassis: Bristol RES H: rear vertical engine, chassis: Daimler Fleetline. 11m Bus (36ft 1in.) Single front entrance/ exit. Engine positions as 9m high-floor bus. Chassis available: front vertical engine. Ford R226 or Seddon Pennine IV; centre underfloorengine, chassis: AEC Reliance, Bristol LH, or Leyland Leopard: rear underfloor-engine, chassis: AEC Swift, Bristol RELH, Leyland Panther or Seddon Pennine RU; rear vertical engine, chassis: Daimler Fleetline.
In the following guide to coachbuilders, bodies to meet the MoT standards outlined above are listed. Other types of body offered are also listed, where applicable, and luxury coach bodies available are listed under the appropriate coachbuilders.