MODERN BUS DESIGN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19826, 31 December 1938, Page 7

MODERN BUS DESIGN

GISBORNE ENTERPRISE MUNICIPAL SERVICES NEW STREAMLINE VEHICLE Patrons o£ the municipal bus services will have an early opportunity vices wil havle an early opportunity of testing the comfort and efficiency of the new vehicle lately added to the tleet, and claimed to represent the most modern trend in omnibus design. The bus has made trial trips within the past two or three days, including a fully-loaded run up Hospital Bin, and has given every satisfaction from .ne mechanical point of view. In its Lurnishings it represents, too, a distinct advance upon the older type ol vehicles in the fleet. It will be put into service early in the new year.

The acquisition of this bus has been made possible by the entry of the English manufacturers into the lightomnibus ■ field. Long noted for the efficiency of their heavy bus chasses, which carry the traffic of London and other great cities, the mamuacmrera at Home did not at first appreciate ihe need for a fighter type tor smalltown operation. Now, however, they are well up to their foreign competitors, and with the tariff advantage, can put vehicles into New Zealand at a competitive price.

The chassis selected for the Gisborne bus is one of the Morris range, carrying a power unit of 80 brake h.p., fully rubber mounted, and fitted with an, exclusive feature, the Austenitic steel sleeves which give double ihe average life to the cylinders. Bimetal pistons with steel skirts, hardened piston rings, removable Stellite valve seatings, claimed to be almost indestructible, and Stellite-faced valves contribute to the efficiency o; the unit, which has a low petrol consumption as one oi the chief advantages.

The new bus has full forward control, the driver's seat being beside the engine, and the chassis is doubled, fully reinforced, and of the low-level type. Four-wheel Lockheed hydraulic brakes, with tandem operation which in practice has the effect of braking the front wheels with one pair and the rear wheels with another, each acting independently in case of necessity, are safety features worth noting, and four-speed gears with a special traffic top-gear and rubber-cushioned drive help to make the bus particularly manoeuvrable in the streets. The body is of the full-fronted type, constructed by Neilsen Bodies, Limited, for Lower Hutt, to plans selected by the manager of the Gisborne municipal bus service, Mr. K. G. Ball. The selection was made with special regard to Gisborne's traffic conditions, and while following the general lines of the newer bus types in all parts of the world, includes several minor features representing the fruits of local experience.

Apart from the radical change in appearance from the old types, the chief difference Which will be noted by patrons is that separate doors are provided for entrance to and exit from the bus. The entrance door is close to the driver's seat, and the ticket register is so placed that the passenger takes his or her own ticket from the issue slot as the fare is rung up.

On alighting, the passenger walks to.the rear, where a folding door operated by remote control from the driver's seat permits exit. The door will not open except by operation of the vacuum lever close to the driver, and it is fitted With ,a special safetydevice, enclosed in flexible rubber cushions, which protect the alighting passengers from injury. If the-pas-senger grips the door-jamb and the door closes upon it, the device registers the interference at once and reverses the action of the mechanism, the rubber cushions absorbing the first impact. The capacity of the bus is greater than that of the old type, and more space is provided for each passenger. Full visibility all round, easy riding, and an attractive exterior and interior decorative scheme are further features which will be noted with interest.

The unladen weight of the vehicle is three tons 17cwt., and the maximum laden weight, 8 tons 15cwt., leaves a good margin for all emergencies. Messrs. H. S. Motors supplied the new vehicle to the bus department.