Faster Service with Front Entrance
Page 45
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THEIR first front-entrance double
deck bus with automatic sliding doors is being successfully operated by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd. Observations have shown that this 30-ft. 72-seater, based on a Leyland PD 3/4 chassis, takes on and sets down passengers at a greater speed • than the normal double-deck bus.
The body was designed and built by H. V. Burlingham, Ltd., Blackpool, to Ribble specification. Twenty more are on order.
A single-panel sliding door, when opened by a lever operated by the driver, gives an entrance 3 ft. 7+ in. wide. The entrance is divided by a centre stanchion and grab rails are provided at each side. The risers of the steps are only 71 in. high. The driver has a clear view of the kerb even when the door is closed.
The centre bulkhead pillar has been moved to the off side in order to .increase the width of the near-side opening, which has been left unglazed to give the driver an unobstructed view of the entrance and verbal contact with the conductor or passengers.
A right-hand spiral staircase is apposite the entrance, leading to the upper saloon with 41 seats. The lower saloon has 31 seats.
The body is panelled in 18 S.W.G. light alloy. The driver's compartment is full-width, with doors on both sides. An insulated Fibreglass bonnet is fitted across the near side of the cab.
Seats face forward, except the three on each side over the rear wheel-arches in the lower saloon and one to the right of the entrance partition, which are arranged longitudinally.
Heating and ventilating equipment includes two heaters in each saloon, a demister in the driver's cab, and six air extractors_ The unladen height of the vehicle is 14 ft. 6 in.
Although being run at present on town services, the next deliveries are to be allocated to trunk services.