Single-deck Fords seat 79 children
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THREE 36ft.-long Ford buses, -Ieach accommodating 79 schoolchildren are being put into service in Northern Ireland by Fermanagh County Education Committee.
The single-deck buses, based on Ford R226 chassis, will carry schoolchildren in rural areas. An orthodox forward-facing seat layout has been adopted but each extrawide 3ft. 3in. seat unit has been designed to seat three children.
The R226 chassis have been supplied by R. E. Hamilton and Co. Ltd., Ford Belfast p.s.v. main dealers. They are powered by the Ford 360 Cu. in. diesel engine which produces 128 b.h.p. at 2,800 r.p.m. A five-speed gearbox is also fitted.
The 79-seat bodies are being built by Potters of Belfast Ltd., and have a front entrance with electrically-operated doors, controlled by the driver. The body design incorporates six large windows either side. Exterior body panels are in aluminium alloy and reinforced plastics. The body framing is of flanged tubular pillars to which interior stress panels are solid-riveted.
Interior finish includes Darvic ceilings and p.v.c. linings below the waist. Window finishers are polished aluminium and Melamine plastic. The floor is in I-in. resin-bonded plywood finished with non-slip Treadmaster. Two saloon heaters are fitted. Seats have tubular steel frames with rubber cushions and plastic foam squabs. They are trimmed in heavy-duty p.v.c. for easy cleaning.