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operator
weight, strength and
seatbelt suitability.
Three point belts are
fitted to each seat.
Seat tracks have been
redesigned to ensure
that seats, seatbelts,
tracking and floor
structure meet M2
pull test standards at
4.75 tonnes, higher
than the M3 standard
formally required for
this size of vehicle.
A section of Unwin
tracking is installed at
the rear nearside to
Staffordshire have specified a narrow spacing of the enable wheelchairs to The Scolabus driver's compartment with display monitor
handrails at the entrance to promote single file loading. be carried following for the reversing camera.
removal of certain
the first example for Star College in Cheltenham seats. The ScolaBus design is however capable of first ScolaBus development vehicle brought in to
being certified for 18 wheelchairs and six seated a maximum capacity of 68 seats depending on the the UK. This has resulted in simple but innovative
passengers. layout chosen. changes to the design.
Chassis Access to the vehicle is through a fully glazed Were a bus to roll on to its side, small children
rearward opening plug door leading to five shallow would find it difficult to climb up to the centrally
The chassis is the well-proven Italian built 12m steps alongside the insulated engine cover. The mounted roof hatches. To overcome this the
Iveco Cargo powered by a six cylinder Iveco F4A arrangement complies with DDA requirements. roof hatches have been offset to either side, so
Tector engine developing 240bhp at 2700 rpm. Wheelchair access is via a cassette lift mounted as to make them usable by younger children
The 5.88 litre engine is matched to an Alison five below the nearside floor, aft of the rear axle. This in the event of a rollover accident. The offside
speed automatic gearbox with integral sequential is interlocked with the handbrake and a specific emergency exit features a drop down set of steps,
retarder, a combination specifically requested for sequence must be followed on stowing before making the exit less daunting for younger children.
the UK market. The straight frame is built from the vehicle can drive off. Emergency exit provision
C section high tensile steel to which reinforce- includes a wide offside rear doorway and roof To clear speed humps and particularly some
ment is added in the vicinity of the front and rear escape hatches, all of which are alarmed. In school entrances, the vehicle's skirt height was
increased by 50mm, with consequent modifica-
addition, hammer provision is made tions made to the entrance layout to maintain
to use any window as a breakable
emergency exit. Reflecting an area of
current concern, the emergency door
is two stage with the alarm sounding
on the first operation of the handle
followed by a short delay before the
door opens.
All glazing is tinted and bonded,
normally featuring hopper type
ventilators in alternate bays.
Staffordshire have chosen to eliminate
all but the foremost ventilators to
reduce the chance of children throwing
objects from the vehicle. The heating
and ventilation system has consequent-
ly been redesigned with two powerful
Sixty three Phoenix seats with three point belts are rear mounted extraction fans and up-
installed in the Scolabuses. sized heaters. The Webasto heater is
designed to maintain an acceptable
bumpers. Air suspension and air brakes (disk front temperature on cold mornings despite frequent
and drum rear) are standard stops to pick up passengers.
Body Much of the interior finishing is UK sourced The roof-mounted hatches are offset to
including seats, handrails and the conventional the nearside providing easier egress for
The maximum dimension Vehixel body electric system. Recessed halogen saloon lights younger children.
comprises a fully corrosion protected stainless are standard, as is a radio-CD player, which plays
steel frame clad externally in polyester resin a significant role in controlling on board behaviour. step heights. The entrance handrail arrange-
panels. The frame is designed to meet ECE Luggage accommodation, necessary for uses ments provide for only one child at a time to pass
Directive R66 on rollover integrity with the bottom outside of the normal morning and afternoon through, which promotes discipline on boarding
of each pillar tied in to the chassis frame. Internal school runs, consists of side mounted underfloor and enables accurate checking that all pupils
finish is in melamine, with a non-slip, matt vinyl lockers and above seat racks with padded edges to are on board, as well as easing the checking of
covered, flat plywood floor, over the full length improve their safety. passes. A reversing camera is fitted at the rear to
of the vehicle. The high floor level puts the aid manoeuvring in school playgrounds.
passenger area above the normal crash impact Staffordshire safety
zone. Consideration was given to colour impreg- developments. Looking at ways to minimise downtime, the
nating the external panelling but this was rejected front panel has been redesigned to separate the
in favour of a standard coach finish, which will be The ScolaBus design benefits from the most vulnerable corners into easily replaceable
easier to match when repairs are required. involvement of users over its development period. units.
Staffordshire had already collected feedback on
The Staffordshire vehicles feature 63 Phoenix design matters from the drivers of the first batch of
seats in 3+2 formation, chosen for their light Bluebirds who were then asked to comment on the
Reprinted from Bus & Coach Buyer Issue 763
