Leyland artic bus for &Yorks run
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THE first articulated bus to be used in Britain was formally handed over to South Yorkshire PTE by British Leyland this week.
For the next fortnight, the bus will be used in and around Sheffield on an experimental route proving service.
However, the active bus will be unable to pick up fare-paying passengers as it is being driven by a Leyland driver on trade plates.
The reason for this is that artic buses are illegal in the UK (due to their length) and so a special permit was required.
In addition the vehicle has to be driven by a Class 1 hgv driver.
Nevertheless, Leyland hope to prove the viability of the system and to show other operators what it's all about. The company says that when possible future EEC harmonisation legislation comes in, it will be ready with a proven vehicle.
The bus being demonstrated around Sheffield is a left-hand. drive model which was shown in Montreal at the International Union of Public Transport Congress.
Using chassis and bodywork built by Leyland subsidiary DAB in Denmark, the artic bus has Leyland axles and steering gear.
A Swiss Saurer engine developing 179kW (240bhp) is mounted amidships and drives the vehicle via an Allison fully automatic transmission which incorporates a retarder.
Leyland says, it will be offering its own 690 power plant and semi automatic box on the standard units when production reaches a reasonable level.
A unique feature of the artic bus is the steering. The rear-most axle (that fitted to the trailed section) has steering coupled to the vehicle's front axle.
This reduces the vehicles cut-in, thus making it more manouverable in tight city streets.
Each half of the artic is joined by a type of fifth wheel coupling which can pivot to provide flexibility in two planes.
Inside the vehicle a turntable plate covers the coupling, while a corrugated section (similar to those used between railway carriages) allows articulation.
A buzzer sounds if the driver ,over-does the lock thus preventing damage.
I was able to drive the bus. around a test area at Sheffield and ride as a passenger round the streets, writes Steve Gray.
Driving is very simple, largely due to the automatic box and power steering.
The trailer section follows very well with its steering section.
The technique on the roads appears quite simple.
When cornering on a sharp bend, the driver waits until his driven axle is round then he is free to accelerate normally as the trailer follows without problems.
The only problem I can envisage is access to the vehicle — it has very high steps on its four side entrances and the interior turntable.
Although the turntable doesn't revolve quickly in normal circumstances, it could present difficulties to older passengers when turning sharp corners.
The price in the UK is expected to be between E38,000 and 09,000.