Developments in Manchester
Page 28
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Further improvements for PTE decker
py Martin Hayes
URTHER improvements lave been made to the stanlard double-decker deigned and purchased by 3reater Manchester Trans)ort (formerly SELNEC PTE). Mr Harry Taylor, the PTE's group development mgineer, introduced the new bus — dubbed the 7000 IA — in Manchester last week. The vehicle on display, a Northern Counties-bodied Daimler Fleet line, is the first to be fitted with all the new features which will be progressively applied to all new buse entering the fleet.
During the visit I was able to test drive the latest version of Seddon's midibus fitted with a specially designed Allison automatic gearbox, and also to ride on one of the two Mercedes 0.305 buses in trial service.
The major exterior change to the double-decker — there are now nearly 400 of the 7000 series in service — is the change to a curved twopiece windscreen. This style has been introduced in an effort to keep the front of the vehicle, the windscreen and the mirrors cleaner.
Inside the vehicle most alterations effect the driving compartment. Most importantly, the Leyland National gearchange and handbrake arrangement is specified. This is mounted on the right of the cab together with the well laid-out switch units pioneered by the PTE.
The vehicle displayed last week was fitted with an tachograph and all buses will have provision for such an instrument. It was initially intended to fit them with an EEC-type instrument when such a model became available but this programme is now held up pending decisions on the legislation for tachographs. Though, of course, it will not be necessary for buses on normal stage carriage services to be fitted with tachographs, Mr Taylor is anxious that the fleet should retain its flexibility for private hire by having provision for the instrument. This vehicle, and one other, is fitted with a carpet and public address equipment for possible futur use on a city centre tour the PTE is planning.
A 5.5 kg (121b) BCF fire extinguisher is fitted in the driving compartment but is piped directly to the engine compartment. The extinguisher, which is controlled from the driving compartment, can be quickly removed for use if the fire is elsewhere than the engine.
Two-speed fans for both the passenger heater and demister unit are fitted in anr effort to reduce noise. Sliding windows are selected for the rear of the lower saloon because of the potential danger from hopper windows to passengers rising from the rear seats.
The PTE currently has one Leyland Atlantean fitted with Leyland's new 02 transmission control system which was described in CM, May 3. Mr Taylor reports that the G2 is "very promising" and has advantages over the torque converter type of automatic because it is cheaper, more economical, is preferred by the driver, enables a familiar gearbox to be used and has simple electronics. In fact it has "every advantage", says Mr Taylor.