First Caetano coach in UK service
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Hicks Coaches of Accrington, Lanes, are the first UK passenger operators to place in service a coach built by Salvador Caetano of Portugal. Starting operations at the beginning of this month, the vehicle, which seats 23 plus courier, has already covered 2,000 miles.
It is built on the Ford D500 chassis and is 2 5ft 6in. long. It was brought to this country 15 months ago as a demonstration vehicle and in order to meet Ministry of Transport requirements had to be sent to Metropolitan-Cammell-Weymann Ltd. for the floor to be lowered and the air-operated doors replaced.
As with other models in the range (des
cribed in CM December 13), this coach is of all-welded construction, and has individual passenger ventilation and reading lights. Reclining seats are fitted and Hicks called for an additional luggage locker to be located on the off-sine between the wheels.
Mr. Peter Hicks, the owner, told CM that the coach would be used on private hire work and would be kept in its grey, white and mauve colour scheme because it had been creating a lot of interest. Since the 0500 was a goods chassis, softer rear springs might be fitted to give passengers at the back a more comfortable ride, said Mr. Hicks, but otherwise he was very pleased with the vehicle.