EBE10—Austerity

Euro Bus Expo 2010 Index

This was certainly the show for lower cost vehicles, reflecting the mood of the moment. We made passing reference yesterday to the updated Plaxton Panther body that takes away its budget looks. The MCV double deck and King Long single deck we’ve also mentioned. There was a stock white Temsa Avenue on the VDL/Arriva Bus & Coach stands. For views on this vehicle, see the post on Redcar.

Correct me if I’m wrong but Turkish manufacturer Otokar has never before exhibited a service bus in England. Inside the interestingly named Kent 290LF there were no major surprises given its continental origins. Seats were thin and there was some forward, rearward and longitudinal banks that seem odd arrangements by English standards. It was interesting to see a half stanchion grab rail in the middle of the front service entrance. Wheelchair users needed to enter via the central doorway, London style. The 12m bus seated 35 but, if the notice within is to be believed, there was provision for 65 standees. That’s 100 in total.

There was also a MCV single deck bus on a Mercedes OC500LE chassis, with an evolved Evolution front end and a straight waistline throughout but still with some of MCV’s infamous/famous sharp angles, this time at the front under the cab window. Could this bus be likened to a poor man’s Citaro? The trim within was heavy but the seats were substantial and more comfortable than some other lower cost vehicles on display.

There were also a couple of bus refurbishment specialists at the show. These majored upon low floor double decks that can come with three point lap & diagonal belts and, at quite reasonable prices, are suitable for the conversion of the fare paying school bus niche that, on and after 2017 (2016, for single decks), will require SLFs if they are to comply with DDA requirements.