Minibus gain for FF
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• Iveco and Freight Rover have both won significant orders from major operators for local service minibuses.
Iveco is to supply 20 Robin Hood City Nipper-bodied Turbo Daily 21-seaters to London Buses to form the basis of its newly won contracts for local services in Orpington, Kent.
The first, in a maroon and grey "Roundabout" livery, was exhibited at last weekend's British Coach Rally in Brighton. Five Optare City Pacer 25-seaters are to be used on busier routes.
West Midlands PTE is taking 14 similar vehicles, while National Bus Company subsidiaries are buying 150 to add to their expanding minibus networks. NBC companies are also buying 450 Freight Rover Sherpa 350 minibuses to co plement its Ford Transit fleets. Body contracts have still to be finalised.
Most will be built as 16seaters, although NBC has option to change some of th order to extra long wheelba 20 seaters if required.
It prefers the normal wheelbase 16-seater as its design weight allows five standing passengers to be c ried in addition to 16 seated
On the 20-seater, the standing passenger capacity restricted by the vehicle weights and it is not considered advisable to risk refusi standing passengers when they can clearly see room available in the gangway.
Plymouth's new municipal owned transport company is. also expanding its small bus fleet and has placed an orde for 81 Dodge 50-Series S56 midibuses fitted with 23-sea Reeve Burgess local bus bodies.