United Buses

The United Bus Company, established in 1931, ran inter-suburban private bus services that initially travelled from Claremont to Perth via Dalkeith and Nedlands.

In April 1937, the United Bus Company finalised negotiations with the Daimler Company and the Lanchester Motor Company for the delivery of a double-decker bus. The bus was to be imported "complete", as Perth body builders had no experience in the construction of double-decker buses.

In December 1937, the double-decker bus was unloaded from the motorship the New Zealand Star at the Port of Fremantle.

As this was the first double-decker bus in Perth, police were reticent about licensing the bus and test drove it at speed along Mounts Bay Road, loaded with police officers.

Among interesting mechanical features was its five-cylinder engine which was rated at 37 horsepower but developed 85 horsepower so was governed down to 1,700 revolutions per minute.

The transmission incorporated the Daimler fluid flywheel which, it was claimed, gave smooth operation and additional safety. In the unlikely event of the whole of the braking system failing, the bus could be stopped comfortably by means of the special transmission. Brake adjustment was automatic, a special device making a minute adjustment for wear every time the pedal was depressed.

Weighing 7½ tons, the vehicle was designed to accommodate 30 passengers on the upper deck and 24 below. The over-all height was just over 14 feet. Two-thirds of the weight of the bus was in the chassis. Entry was through a door on the right-hand side at the rear, and there were emergency doors for both top and bottom decks. The body was of all steel construction, and was be modified as regards ventilation to suit Australian climatic conditions.