London record Daimler order future of LT did more secure
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• A record order for Daimler bus chassis—worth more than f1m—has been placed by London Transport, announced Daimler Transport Vehicles Ltd. on Tuesday. The contract, for 250 Fleetline double-deck chassis to be delivered in 1971, is the largest placed with Daimler since the formation of London Transport in 1933, and would appear to secure a future for double-deckers in the London Transport fleet.
It follows closely on the news that LTB had ordered 117 Daimler Fleetlines for delivery in 1970 (CM July 181 and, with the inclusion of eight bought in 1965 for assessment purposes, will bring the total of Daimler buses in service with or on order for LTB to a total of 375.
In their dimensions and general layout, the new buses, which will have Park Royal 30ft 10in, bodies designed specifically for o-m-o, will follow the 117 buses mentioned above. Gardner 6LXB engines, derated from 180 to 170 bhp, and fully-automatic gearboxes will be fitted and the driving position will be to London Transport requirements, with a raised and raked steering wheel, revised foot-pedal layout and curved instrument panel.
The buses, with front entrances and separate central exits and central staircases, will accommodate 89 passengers, of which 68 will be seated, and will closely follow the new Park Royal standard design.
Commenting upon the news, Mr. R. S. Crouch, sales manager of Daimler Transport Vehicles Ltd., said "We are naturally delighted that the Fleetline has been chosen. Any new lead taken by LTB—the largest single city transport undertaking in the world—inevitably commands the attention of other authorities throughout the world."
Meanwhile LTB confirmed last week an order for 300 AEC Swift single-deckers with 33-seat plus 34 standing bodies, 225 from Park Royal and 75 from Marshall ol Cambridge (Engineering) Ltd., all designed for dual-fare operation and destined for the Central (redl bus fleet (CM August 1). A further 90 Swifts, with 35-seat plus 24 standing bodies have been ordered for the Country (green) bus fleet. These vehicles, alsc of 33ft overall length, will havE Metro-Cammell Weymann bodies, and will be
delivered in 1970. F.K.M