Alexander PS type
 | This article is missing information about PS-types in Singapore. (September 2021) |
| Alexander PS-type | |
|---|---|
 Alexander PS-type bodied Volvo B10M operated by Stagecoach Merseyside | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Walter Alexander |
| Production | 1988–1998 |
| Assembly | Falkirk, Scotland |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | 1 or 2 doors |
| Floor type | Step entrance |
| Chassis | Volvo B10M Leyland Lynx Mercedes-Benz O405 Dennis Lance Iveco Turbocity Scania N113 |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | ZF or Voith |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 11.9m |
| Width | 2.5m |
| Height | 3.0m[citation needed] |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Alexander ALX200 Alexander ALX300 |
The Alexander PS-type was a step-floor single-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders in Falkirk, Scotland and was produced from 1988 to the late 1990s predominantly on the Dennis Lance, Mercedes-Benz O405, Scania N113, Volvo B10M chassis.
The Alexander PS-type was developed from the Alexander's single-deck export body for Singapore Bus Services, and was based on the domestic P-type with a revised front end. It was initially launched in the United Kingdom on the Scania N113CR chassis in 1988.[1]
The Alexander PS-type was ultimately succeeded by the Alexander ALX200 and Alexander ALX300 low-floor bus bodies.
Operators[edit]
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The Alexander PS-type on the Volvo B10M chassis was the primary single decker for the Stagecoach Group through the 1990s, with 100 delivered to Stagecoach Cumberland from late 1992 following production delays with the Volvo B6 midibus chassis,[2] while Stagecoach Manchester also took on comparatively large numbers of PS types-bodied B10Ms.[3] Most were withdrawn by 2016 due to regulations mandating low-floor buses, but some were retained as late as 2020 as school buses by Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire.[4]
The second-biggest operator of the Alexander PS-type were Mainline Buses, who ordered a total of 180 Alexander PS-types on Volvo B10M chassis from 1990 to 1996.[5][6] Mainline's first Alexander PS-types were the first to be bodied on a Volvo chassis. Kelvin Central Buses also purchased 60 PS-types from 1995 to 1997.[7] Following the purchase of Mainline and SB Holdings by the FirstGroup, these buses were dispersed around First's other operations.
On the Scania N113CRB chassis, Busways Travel Services took an order of 20 Scanias with PS-type bodies, while Nottingham City Transport took an order of eight.[8][9] Yorkshire Traction purchased five Scania PS-types in 1992 as their first new full-size buses since deregulation.[10]
Sixteen Dennis Lances with dual door Alexander PS-type bodies were built for London Buses subsidiary Selkent, while in Hong Kong, Kowloon Motor Bus took on 24 Lances with PS-type bodywork.[11][12]
Two examples on the Mercedes-Benz O405 chassis was built with Alexander PS-type bodies in 1992, one being a rigid Mercedes demonstrator and a sole articulated example being bodied for Grampian Regional Transport. These were branded as the Cityranger.[13][14]
References[edit]
- ^ "New Series 3 PSV at NEC". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 16 June 1988. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Stagecoach's 49-seat Volvo B10Ms on way". Coach & Bus Week. No. 38. Peterborough: Emap. 7 November 1992. p. 9. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "StageCoach to bid 'Farewell to the B10M' on November 14". mistral-bus.com. Mistral Bus and Coach. 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Schoolbuses placed in class of their own". Buses. Peterborough. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "PS-bodied B10Ms preferred". Coach & Bus Week. No. 201. Peterborough: Emap. 20 January 1996. p. 28.
- ^ "Switching to single-decks". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 17 May 1990. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "First of 120 'green' Alexander/Volvos for SBH". Coach & Bus Week. No. 221. Peterborough: Emap. 8 June 1996. p. 8.
- ^ "BT takes transverse Scania". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 20 April 1989. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Notts adds 20". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 26 July 1990. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Yorkshire Traction picks-up five new buses". Coachmart. No. 634. Peterborough. 11 April 1991. p. 13.
- ^ "Selkent - new look". Coach & Bus Week. No. 11. Peterborough: Emap. 2 May 1992. p. 14. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Kneeling tests for Lance". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 9 July 1992. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Merc Alexander citybus launch". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 22 October 1992. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ Simpson, Richard (14 November 1992). "Merc artic makes its debut". Coach & Bus Week. No. 39. Peterborough: Emap. p. 7. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
External links[edit]
Media related to Alexander PS at Wikimedia Commons
