Why was the Albion Lowlander bus so disliked by the companies that used it with the exception of East Midlands and Yorkshire woolen?

Answer 1

Ask the mechanics. I drove Albion Lowlanders for Alexnders (Milngavie Garage 1968-70) and Hignland (summer 1973). I had good all round vision, the Alexander bodied sliding cab door so I could keep it open in warm weather, substantial and adjustable seat, good flat angle for the steering wheel, plenty of space to left of seat for gearstick in manual versions, unlike Bristol Lodekka and AEC, and easy control of column gearstick in pneumocyclic versions. Passengers to my recollection liked it as it was a Step On (no steps up) with a flat floor and stairs diectly in front of the door. Also if passengers came to the door seeking the next stop, and the conductor was upstairs or otherwise engaged, they could rap the driver cab window, the driver could see them, and would stop. On boarding, unless the conductor was actually at the door the driver could better and clearly see the door, see if it was clear, close it and get going. From a crew and operation point of view this was one of the best buses on the road in it's day. Therefore I can only presume the aversion to the Albion (later Leyland) Lowlander was to do with operational cost or reliability or something like that. Operator's problem, not crew or passenger. I loved them. I am now 61 but still hold a PSV (or PCV as they call it now). I do think the change in these intitials defines the change which the gorgon Thatcher imposed on the bus industry with deregulation in the mid eighties. PSV was Public Service Vehicle. Service to the public, that's what it was for. PCV means Passenger Carrying Vehicle. Business definition only. Public Service has been edited out. That is the real shame for the bus industry as I knew it. The domination by the now small number of big companies providing bus services with smart and bang up to date fleets of vehicles is only a success story if it provides a service to the public at large, not just a highly profitable operation on guaranteed busy routes. I would love to drive an Albion or Leyland Lowlander again. Any chance?