An open top bus is a bus , usually but not exclusively a double-decker bus , which has been built or modified to operate without a roof. Early buses were constructed without roofs but in more recent times they have only been built for tourist and sightseeing services. Some are made by removing all or part of the roof from a more conventional bus.
7-727: The Optare Visionaire (introduced in 2006 as the East Lancs Visionaire , and branded the Darwen Visionaire between 2007 and 2008) is an open top double-decker bus body built by Optare . It is in terms of engineering an open top Olympus (itself a double-decker variant of the Esteem ) in all but name. The Optare Visionaire was also built for tri-axle double-decker bus chassis. The first orders were made in November 2006 by Arriva 's The Original Tour for
14-731: A double-decker bus from the United Kingdom , and convert it to an open top bus. This is to give the impression of an archetypal British bus, such as the AEC Routemaster London bus, although often the bus actually purchased is not a Routemaster. Modern open top bus designs are available, nowadays with long multiple axle and low floor easy access features as seen on conventional closed-top buses. Many more have been converted from conventional buses which were no longer required for regular service and so may not have such features. The open deck in an open top bus may have
21-477: A parade to ensure maximum visibility; this may be a security concern as with open-top cars; in 2009 an open-top bus carrying the Dutch royal family was attacked by an assailant. The traditional tour bus open topper was usually either a restored heritage bus, or a converted standard bus. Sometimes the bus is converted if its top has been damaged by hitting a low obstacle e.g. a bridge. Tour operators sometimes export
28-637: A £1.6 million order for ten, built on Volvo 's B9TL Euro IV chassis. These all entered service and were the only order for the East Lancs Visionaire. After East Lancs went into administration in 2007, the business was bought by the Darwen Group , and the East Lancs Visionaire was renamed the Darwen Visionaire . During this time, an order was received for a number of Visionaires. An open top single-decker bus ,
35-704: The Panaire , was also offered at the time and none were built. Since the order for the Darwen Visionaires, Darwen Group performed a reverse takeover with Optare . Ten Optare Visionaires entered service on Big Bus Tours London tour. These were ordered in the Darwen period, but have been built under the new Optare name. Therefore, no Visionaires were built under the Darwen name, despite orders being taken. Wilts & Dorset received 9 Visionaires for use on
42-631: The Purbeck Breezer services linking Swanage with Wareham , Poole and Bournemouth . Today this operates under morebus . [REDACTED] Buses portal Open top bus Until the 1920s most, if not all, double-decker buses were constructed with no roof on the upper deck, and were the original "open-toppers". Open-top buses are now primarily used as tour buses for sightseeing in cities, or around rural monuments or areas of special interest. These often include specialist information equipment, and colourful liveries illustrating
49-523: The route. Open-top buses are used in some regions on regular public transport transit bus services, in warm climates, or as seasonal services in temperate climates. Seasonal services are often in seaside towns, or along rural or coastal routes of particular scenic quality. Open-top buses are often used for victory parades for sport teams, and as temporary viewing platforms at events such as The Derby . Vintage open-toppers can also be hired for events such as weddings. They may be used by notable people in
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