Neoplan Skyliner

History

In 1964, the founder's second son, Konrad Auwärter, developed a double-deck design for a service bus as part of his dissertation. The 'Do-Bus' design had extremely low weight, and could carry over 100 passengers. It also featured a low-frame front axle with forward-mounted steering gear that permitted a low flat floor. The double-deck principle was applied to coach design, creating a revolutionary high-capacity comfortable vehicle for touring. This vehicle became known as the Skyliner, and created an image for the company that differentiated the Neoplan brand from its competitors, and created interest in its products across Europe.

A second manufacturing facility opened in Pilsting in 1973, and a third opening in Kumasi, Ghana, in December 1974 to support a large order.

The double-deck Skyliner concept was taken to its ultimate conclusion in 1975, with the introduction of the Jumbocruiser, a double-deck articulated coach 18 metres (59 ft 1 in) long and 4 metres (13 ft 1 in) high. The Spaceliner, introduced in 1979 took the Cityliner concept of passenger floor level above the driver, and extended the actual floor above the cab. This kept the height of the vehicle lower than a double-decker, at 3.65 metres (12 ft 0 in), but still allowed installation of toilets, kitchens or sleep cabins below the passenger compartment. From 1983 to 2000, the quad-axle Neoplan Megaliner was produced as the larger production counterpart to the Skyliner.

US

In 1989, its subsidiary Neoplan USA introduced a domestically produced version of the Skyliner as the AN122/3, which designated the manufacturer (American Neoplan), model (122), and number of axles (3). Production in the United States qualified the bus for federal subsidies according to the requirements of the Buy America Act. The AN122/3 was available with Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines and Allison B500 transmissions which are fitted typically to transit buses, allowing the double-decker bus to share spares inventory and maintenance facilities with the rest of the bus fleet.

Adoption of the Skyliner occurred mainly in California, along with smaller orders for open-top Skyliners for sightseeing operators in Chicago and New York City. AC Transit in Oakland, California evaluated one AN122/3 in April 1983 but did not proceed with a fleet purchase. The Southern California Rapid Transit District of Los Angeles operated Neoplan USA Skyliners during the 1980s and early 1990s. Antelope Valley Transit Authority also operated Skyliners on their Lancaster-Los Angeles route during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Open-top AN122/3s are known to have been used by Big Taxi Tours in New York City and formerly by Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. in Chicago.

UK

The Neoplan Skyliner also gained popularity in the United Kingdom. Stagecoach bought some right-hand drive Skyliners during the 1980s to facilitate its new coaching division developed during the company's early years. In 2004, it bought 25 more N122/3L Skyliners for its modern coaching divisions the Oxford Tube and Megabus. Trathens Travel Services of Plymouth also bought some Skyliners in 2005 for its National Express contracts. However, many of these were displaced following the 2007 accident with a National Express Skyliner (see below) - when some Plaxton Panthers were bought in 2007, followed in later years by double-decker Plaxton Panoramas, Salvador Caetano Boa Vistas/Invictuses and Van Hool Astromegas.

Japan

The Neoplan Skyliner has also gained popularity primarily as a long-distance/overnight and sightseeing bus in Japan ever since Chūō Kōtsū Bus (Osaka Prefecture) (ja:中央交通 (大阪府)) bought its first such bus in 1979. A shorter-wheelbase N122/2 version measuring 9 m (29 ft 6 in) in length developed specifically for the Japanese market also appeared for smaller and medium-sized bus operators from the mid-1980s. Many Neoplan Skyliner buses in Japan use domestically produced powertrains and engines such as those from Nissan Diesel or Isuzu.

South Korea

Some Neoplan Skyliners are used mainly as sightseeing buses in Seoul and Daegu.