Novel stairs on Newcastle bus
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• An Alexander-bodied Leyland Atlantean double-decker of Newcastle City Transport has been rebuilt in the undertaking's workshops as a prototype bus for one-man-operation. The bus, a 30ft model built in 1966 and originally seating 78 passengers, has been fitted with a central exit and a forward ascending staircase. This staircase is located on the nearside, immediately ahead of the exit and the vehicle is believed to be the first of its type in this country to employ such an arrangement.
The location of the stairs permits an unrestricted passenger flow, avoiding the congestion which can be caused by an offside staircase. It also allows the driver to have an adequate view of both the centre exit door and the stairs.
A new floor layout has also been provided, with a step at the front entrance and a flat floor replacing the former ramped floor. This, together with the seating layout adopted, gives adequate standee provision in addition to the 70 seats now fitted.
Gear and transmission handlocks, together with sensitive edges on the air operated exit doors, are additional provisions for safety.
A similar staircase and interior layout is to be employed on 30 Atlantean doubledeckers now on order for Newcastle upon Tyne. One of these buses, with Alexander bodywork, will be displayed in the demonstration park at Earls Court next month.