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COVERED-IN DOUBLE-DECKERS FOR THE PROVINCES.

16th September 1924
Page 20
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Page 20, 16th September 1924 — COVERED-IN DOUBLE-DECKERS FOR THE PROVINCES.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Districts in which the Local Authorities are giving a Lead to the Scotland Yard Of tic als.

IT IS SOMEWHAT difficult to find an adequate excuse for the attitude of the Scotland Yard authorities towards the covered-in double-decker, when one considers that this type of vehicle is being used with safety and success in many other parts of the country. It seems reasonable to suppose that if covered-in double-deck buses can be used in provincial centres, where they are often called upon to travel over roads

which are more difficult to negotiate than the main arteries in London, it is safe to assume that they could be licensed to ply for hire on the streets of the Metropolis without fear of untoward accidents either to passengers or to other vehicles.

In the days when the motorbus was less stable than it is to-day and the centre of gravity was nothing like so low, the authorities may have been justified in their action in refusing to license covered-in vehicles, but the conditions associated with the operation of passenger vehicles to-day are so entirely different that a new set of circumstances has to be laced.

It. will be remembered that a few months ago the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., evolved a. design of double-decker which it was considered would be suitable for use on the London streets, but apparently it has come under the censure of the authorities, since no more has been heard of it. In contradistinction to this seeming neglect of a widespread demand it is pleasing to note that many provincial authorities are encouraging the use of covered-in double-deck buses by licensing them for regular service. It is obvious that a bus of this type possesses a greater allround utility in so far as it ensures maximum earning capacity and offers all passengers adequate comfort.

The vehicle which we illustrate on the next page comprises an A.E,C. chassis to which is fitted a bus body of the . covered-in type built by the Brush ' Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., of Falcon Works, Loughborough, to, the order of the Birmingham Corporation Tramways. • The general construction of the body is in accordance with the company's latest practice, the bearers, pillars and roof-sticks being of ash strengthened at vulnerable parts with steel flitch plates. To attain the same degree of stability as is secured with the ordinary bus of the open type, the width of the lower saloon has been increased 4 ins. at the waist panels, and thesides tapered inwards up to the roof of the top cover.

In the design of the lower deck the type of body now employed by the Birmingham authorities has been followed, and the additional 4 ins, in the width are used in providing a wider gangway to facilitate the movement of passengers and conductor. Spring cushion seats are provided in the compartment with padded shoulder rests, Loth being upholstered in plush. The side windows in this compartment are fixed, a fresh current of air being ensured for the interior through a series of hinged ventilators.

In the upper deck spring cushions are provided with padded backre,sts (both are upholstered in leather), so that the passengers on this deck are given comfort equivalent to that provided in the other compartment. The top deck lights are of the frameless type, and operate on the lazy-tongs principle. Five of them on each side and two at the front are arranged to be lowered, so that when they are let down the canditions are nearly the same as` those which prevail in the ordinary open-type bus, except that a light roof is used.

The inside panelling of both decks is carried out in plywood, the Panels below the seat rail in the lower compartment being of fluted aluminium. The top cover is provided with special gutters and drip pipes convey water to the ground level. This particular body is mounted on an A.E.C. chassis of the forward-dash type, As indicating that this type of bus is proving popular amongst provincial authorities, it is worthy of note that a similar vehicle, identical in its general characteristics of design, has been built by the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., to the order of the tramways authorities of Sheffiel11

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Organisations: Scotland Yard
Locations: Birmingham, London

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