Oddities at the Show

Something off-beat at Euro Bus Expo 2006

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As if squeezing 55 seats (in 3+2 configuration) out of an 11m bus wasn’t enough, one of the BMC demonstrators at Euro Bus Expo 2006 was upseated to 56, with t he inclusion of this non-standard, non-compliant and definitely non-crash-tested wicker seat. Although the standard BMC seats were somewhat up upright, the leg room was actually more acceptable for short distances than most so we wonder why such a seat might be provided. Perhaps it's for the tallest of our sixth formers.

Available at the show was a curious 48 glossy trade journal called Autobuses, priced at Lev 3.95 (a bargain £1.36). Curious, that is, because it was in Bulgarian. Among the articles on the new Neoplan Tourliner, Mercedes Benz Sprinter and the Scania/Irizar, mixed with photos of older Czech Karosas and an advert for a Turkish Otokar Navigo midicoach (they also build armoured personal carriers) were three pages on the UK – or so it would seem from the three British street scenes therein. No idea what it was all about though, as it was in Cyrillic script. It’s now I wish I’d paid more attention at school during Bulgarian lessons.

HM Customs & Excise (or Revenue & Customs are they now seem to be called) showed off some of their usual collection of confiscated illegal imports, including this none-too-attractive crocodile skull bag.

Then there was the VOSA certificate limousine. There seemed to be plenty of staff on hand to show you anything you needed to see about the Fors Excursion. I didn’t go inside the 13 seater but looking in found it to be just a little tacky or even sleazy. A personal viewpoint. But it's legal, unlike many limos on British roads.

Much use this year was made of music. A fanfare opened the show on Tuesday morning and the marching brass band would then occasionally be seen wandering the halls, though as here, not always in step with each other. Couldn’t fault the band otherwise – no apparent fluffed or sharp notes.