LATEST:
March
2011 |
New are 226/7 (DC11 JPR/JPS) Scania K230UB / Caetano B27D
(picture). These are the
single deck equivalents of the Scania/Caetano double deckers successfully
introduced last year. As with the double deckers, they are based on
vehicles delivered to KMB in Hong Kong. Painted in Park & Ride livery,
they are the result of a long survey into usage of the Park & Ride
service, which previously used "standard" single deckers, with doubling up
in the morning and evening peaks. The survey showed that whilst passenger
capacity was important during the peaks, for most of the day the ability
to carry several baby buggies was the priority! The new vehicles, whilst
looking outwardly similar to their KMB counterparts, have one less seat,
not to cram in more standees, but to allow more wheelchair / buggy /
shopping trolley space! Unlike their Hong Kong sisters, they have standard
UK heating systems, and therefore do not have the air conditioning pods on
the roof – a feature deemed un-necessary here! "Standard" single deckers
continue to be used as the Park & Ride extras at peak times. Also new
are 35/6 (DE/DF11 ELD), two more Van Hool C47FLt bodied Scania K340EBs (picture).
Like last year’s deliveries, they have wider front entrances to
accommodate a wheelchair lift, hence the reduction of two seats compared
to earlier vehicles. They are fitted with destination gear, and are
intended for use on the X-series of express services.
A second-hand arrival is 225 (YN55 OXU), another OmniCity B39F acquired
from Scania sales division.
As a consequence of these arrivals, the following are now withdrawn:
241/2 (M241/2 RKN), Scania N113CRB60s with Plaxton Verde B51F bodies
dating from 1994. These were the last step-entrance single deckers, so
with the exception of heritage/preserved vehicles, the single deck bus
fleet is now 100% low floor.
9/10 (S9/10 ELD), 1998 Scania K113CRB30s with Van Hool Alizee C49Ft
bodies.
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