Cardiff 52, MCW Metrobus Demonstrator, 1978

            TOJ592S was a prototype build of a new chassis-less bus design named ‘Metrobus’. Constructed by Metro Cammell Weymann in Birmingham during late 1977, TOJ592S was specifically built as a demonstration vehicle for MCW. Constructed as a dual-door bus it was the second Metrobus to be built at the MCW plant, the first being an ‘on-site only’ prototype registered POA415R. 

TOJ592S's initial use was to demonstrate the type to the London Transport Executive (LTE) in the hope of large orders following. Painted into LTE red livery, TOJ592S was favourably assessed by LTE engineers during early 1978. Impressed by the Metrobus and MCW’s willingness to work on the design with the Executive, London would go on to purchase 1,440 Mk1 examples between 1978 and 1985. 

Following on from its demonstration duties with the LTE, TOJ592S was repainted out of its LTE livery and loaned to a number of British operators to boost sales of the Metrobus. The demonstrator is pictured on Scott Street crossing Wood Street, Cardiff whilst on loan to Cardiff Transport in 1978. Cardiff did not buy into the Metrobus, however, neighbouring Newport Transport took 16 examples of the Metrobus between 1980 and 1981. 

Outside of London, West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive and its successor West Midland Travel would be the second biggest taker, purchasing over 1,100 of the type, made up of Mk1, MK2 and Mk2a’s. WMPTE worked closely with MCW to develop the Metrobus. WMPTE 6831 (SDA831S) was the main WMPTE testbed vehicle, which was deliberately allocated at WMPTE's Washwood Heath bus garage situated close to the MCW factory. 

Outside of Britain, the China Motor Bus of Hong Kong also took the Metrobus including lengthened three-axle specials. Although the Metrobus sold reasonably well in Britain it came at a financial loss to MCW, production ending in 1989 when the Washwood Heath factory closed its bus production facility. Between 1977 and 1989, over 4000 Metrobuses were built, with in-service examples lasting well into the mid 2000s. Today, a number of preserved Metrobuses survive, along with examples converted for non-PSV use. 

As for TOJ592S, she was eventually sold by MCW to Stevenson’s of Uttoxetter. The bus was initially used as a spare parts donor vehicle. However, in a strange turn of events Stevenson’s rebuilt TOJ592S for service use, but as a single-door bus. After the Stevenson’s takeover by Arriva in 1997, TOJ592S went on to serve with Arriva, and later with Imperial Buses and then Midland Classic. Today, the bus survives in the hands of preservationists, once again carrying its distinctive yellow Stevenson’s livery.

Taken on: May 27, 1994

Tags:

Cardiff

MCW

Demonstrator

TOJ592S

Stevensons

Stevenson

Uttoxetter

arriva

demonstration

LTE

London

London Transport

Ely

service

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Sets appears in: • MCW Metrobuses • Stevenson's of Uttoxeter more » • Wales « less

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