PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
A LONDON GENERAL COVERED-TOP BUS.
A Design of Readily Removable Rigid Covering which Enables a Double-deck Bus to Provide Adequate Protection all the Year Round.
T oNDoNERs will not, apparently, lose all the delights of the open-top bus, when covers for the upper decks have become universal. They will not do so, at least, if the plans which the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., have in view come to fruition:
A suitable cover for the top deck of a motorbus is described in a recently pub. liaised patent specification (No. 205,397) by that company and Mr. G. J. Shave, which, although a most efficient, comfortable and rigid contrivance, is adapted to be readily removable with, or without, the front screen. This object is achieved by arranging for it to be belted to the to runner of an ordinary open-deck bus, and designing it so that, on removal of these bolts, it can be lifted straight off and replaced by a simple, low, hand-railing, which is secured by Oa same bolts.
The cover itself is of simple construction and has alternate windows made to slide, thus affording means of ventilation: All or any of the windows may be removed bodily, as desired, according to weather conditions, so that, the bua even with the cover in position, may present, as to its top deck, every degree of openness, from that which is offered by the present type of bus, to the cont: pletely protected condition. It is of interest to note that one of the points made by the patentees, in connection with this .design, is that it is particularly convenient m its application to the NS-type of omnibus, owing to the low centre of gravity of the latter, although it is necessary to point out that the patent is not, as a matter of "fact, confined to motorbuses of this particular type.
In another specification, No. 205,214, the same patentees refer to home details of the construction of the interior fitting of the NS-type bus, particularly With re
gard to the utilization of the' space over the wheel boxes as shelving for the accommodation of baggage or parcels.
Reference is also made to a peculiar advantage of the single-step rear platform of these buses, in that it permits its foot brought nearer to the outer edge of the platform. In consequence, the outer edge of the curved part of the staircase and the handrail which surmounts it can be brought well within the outer edge of the bus proper, thus reducing the chances of accident to a the staircase to the upper deck to have passenger who may have his hand on that rail at the time when another•bus passes • close by and may actually strike the one on which the said passenger is travelling.