With the launch this week of australia.showbus.com we have found an excellent picture for you taken a couple of weeks ago on the sea front at South Melbourne. The coach involved was laying over before going to pick up a return school party from Luna Park. The vehicle belongs to Rockleigh Tours from Diggers Rest out near the international airport and has yet to receive its full livery, which will herald its formal launch in the New Year. This is an Alexander Dennis Enviro500 with New Zealand Kiwi body, the same body/chassis combo appearing on Enviro200s with NZBus in New Zealand. The bus is the culmination of a four year quest by Rockleigh for a high capacity, fully seat belted, disabled access vehicle. The Enviro seats 85, wheelchair access is via a fold out ramp in the centre door with the first pair of near side seats by the door moving to provide a space for the chair. The staircase ascends to the rear on the nearside on the opposite side of the door. The chassis was narrowed by Kiwi from 2.55m to Australia's legal 2.5m maximum. Kiwi was chosen for their ability to produce a lightweight structure, though glass and seating were supplied from Australia. Even before its launch the Enviro is in high demand for school trips and rail replacement work. Rockleigh expect it to be joined by a similar bus in the future. |
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