Q I note in Cm July 5, that there is no
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standard bus specification for any 12m etre model, although this length of chassis is now legal. On the Continent there are many standard 12-metre designs. Is there any official discouragement for buses of this length in the UK?
On the same subject, what is the drawback to the operation of 12-metre doubledeckers which could be economically operated on services such as London Transport route 14 or 16? For that matter articulated buses of even greater carrying capacity could be used. What is the objection to their operation?
AThere is no official discouragement fer
12-metre buses in this country and, indeed, vehicles of this length will soon be appearing on inter-city express services. The main objection to their use is the congestion experienced in narrow and difficult streets, a common feature of British towns and cities. The same remarks apply to articulated buses. As to double-deckers—with advancing techniques in vehicle construction it should be possible to build 12-metre double-deckers coming within the existing 16-ton maximum requirement. They would, however, prove difficult to operate in many cases. .
As town centres are rebuilt and modernized. and the awkward turns and junctions are eliminated, 12-metre buses will begin to appear on the streets of Britain, When stage bus operators, who are the only ones concerned with MoT standard designs because coaches and express buses do not qualify for the 25 per cent grant. show interest in 12metre models, then no doubt standard specifications for such buses will be considered by the Ministry and its advisers.