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iss roll out the bus news
• Newly-independent Leyland Bus and Robin Hood Vehicle Builders represented British PSV manufacturers at last week's Lausanne bus and coach show which accompanied the 47th UITP Congress.
Fareham, Hampshire-based Robin Hood reported considerable interest in its Iveco Daily minibus which is in a class in which Continental operators are now paying more attention.
One of the Robin Hood minis formed part of the big Iveco display, which included a Daily Electric minibus-developed jointly with Fiat Carelli Elevatori and already in service in Italy.
Surprisingly the vehicle has only seven seats plus standing room for nine more yet follows 'big bus' practices by having both front and rear doors.
The Cumulo regenerative braking concept was well in evidence at Lausanne with examples shown in a Neoplan and Volvo bus, as well as an wisual hydrostatically-driven, all-wheel-steer city bus developed by Leyland DAB (see page 23).
There was also a surprise from Van Hool, which has four of its new A500 low floor buses already running with bus operators in Lausanne.
The Belgian PSV builder has now launched two 'shortie' versions of its side-engined design.
Designated the Van Hool AM500/7 and 500/8, the two new buses take 45 and 60 passengers respectively, and have the same four-metre wheelbase but different length bodywork. The show models were MAN-powered, but RVI engine options are also available.
Centrepiece on the Daf stand was a Hainje-bodied version of the new SB220 rearengined bus underframe (CM 28 March). The SB220 has electronically-controlled air suspension, and UK operators recently had the chance to see a right-hand drive model.
Leyland Daf is currently evaluating the UK market potential of the SB220.