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.
PROMENADE BUSES BECOMING POPULAR.
A Simplified Type of Vehicle which Combines Low Running Costs with Large Seating Capacity.
REQULREIVIENTS of munici
palities and private owners in connection with the running of promenade runabouts have shown that the type of vehicle required must combine low running costs with a large seating capacity. Speed is not an essential ; in fact, in certain cases a comparatively slow vehicle is to be desired and sometimes stipulated.
We have, on several occasions, referred to special vehicles designed for proms. oade service, such as the Guy vehicle with small wheels, built for Bournemouth, the experience of which town with this vehicle has been so satisfactory that other enterprising municipalities have found it desirable to follow thiS lead.
It has not always proved essential to build special vehicles-, as, on some promenades, the speed restrictions are not so severe.
Such is the case with the two-mile promenade at Westcliff-on-Sea, which is well surfaced, broad, and has been used on many occasions for speed trials. An interesting type of passenger vehicle, with the body following what is known as the " toast-rack' construe. tion, has recently been placed in service on this promenade by the munici• pa liLy.
The chassis employed is the 30-cwt. standard Berliet, equipped with a light permanent framework which carries a windscreen and a detachable canvas cover ; this, when not required, can be rolled up and placed at the back. The cross seats are all of the slatted type, giving accommodation for a total of 30 persons, including the driver. The simplicity of the construction makes the vehicle, as a whole, comparatively cheap and, what is even more important, of light weight. In most. passenger vehicles a considerable portion of the total carrying capacity is absorbed by the body, and a 30-seater of. the ordinary type would require to have a chassis constructed on much heavier lines than this.
'Another benefit of the open design is that boarding and leaving the vehicle are facilitated, and these operations are assisted by steps which run the whole length. At the off side light rails prevent passengers from obtaining entry or egress at that side.
This question of expediting the move-. went of the passengers is of importance, as it enables the vehicle to be employed far more efficiently and to make more journeys during its period of working.