Who designed the B-type bus?

Frank Searle joined the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) in 1907 as chief engineer. He knew traffic conditions in London required a vehicle of rugged design and used knowledge gained through the development of experimental motor buses to produce the B-type in 1910 – the first reliable, mass-produced motor bus.

The 34-seat double-decker was relatively quiet, easily maintained and became hugely successful. Although slow and open to the elements, millions of Londoners depended on it to get to work. In just a few years, by 1914, over 3,000 vehicles were in service – and London’s last horse-powered bus was withdrawn.

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