Wright Liberator

Wright Liberator
Travel West Midlands Wright Liberator bodied Volvo B10L in Walsall
Overview
ManufacturerWrightbus
Production1996 - 1999
AssemblyBallymena, Northern Ireland
DesignerTrevor Erskine[1]
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisVolvo B10L
RelatedWright Fusion
Powertrain
Capacity67 (47 seated, 20 standing)
Chronology
PredecessorWright Endurance
SuccessorWright Renown

The Wright Liberator was a low-floor single-deck bus body built on Volvo B10L chassis by Wrightbus between 1996 and 1999.

Design

The Wright Liberator was announced in October 1995 by Wrightbus, joining its range of bodies on Volvo chassis such as the Pathfinder and Crusader. The bus was constructed with an Alusuisse bolted aluminium frame and took advantage of the B10L chassis to create a step-free floor up to the rear axle.[2][3] The Liberator was succeeded in 1999 by the Renown on the Volvo B10BLE chassis.

Operators

The Liberator's launch customer was First Greater Manchester, who after ordering the buses as GM Buses North, took delivery of five of the type branded for 'Superbus' low-floor services between Wigan and Leigh in June 1996.[2][4] The National Express Group were the Liberator's overall largest customer, with over 100 purchased by their Travel Dundee and Travel West Midlands subsidiaries.[3][5] Eleven were also purchased by Bus Éireann in Ireland.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Obituary: Trevor Erskine, Wrights' legendary designer". Buses. No. 781. Stamford: Key Publishing. 19 March 2020. p. 16. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Barton, Mark (15 June 1996). "Liberator: less weight, more seats". Coach & Bus Week. No. 222. Peterborough: Emap. p. 13. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Liberator storms in". Buses. No. 496. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. July 1996. p. 8. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ^ Morgan, Mike (21 October 1995). "GM Buses North B10L liberated". Coach & Bus Week. No. 190. Peterborough: Emap. p. 10. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Lowfloors now total 20 at Travel Dundee". Coach & Bus Week. No. 279. Peterborough: Emap. 26 July 1997. pp. 32–33. Retrieved 9 November 2024.

Media related to Wright Liberator at Wikimedia Commons