The Bedford Y series was a family of

single-decker bus A single-decker bus or single-decker is a bus that has a single deck for passengers. Normally the use of the term ''single-decker'' refers to a standard two- axled rigid bus, in direct contrast to the use of the term double-decker bus, which ...

and single-decker

coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Co ...

chassis manufactured by

Bedford Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst ...

from 1970 to 1986, when Bedford ceased bus and truck production.

History

Announced in September 1970, the Bedford YRQ was a 10-metre (33 ft) coach chassis intended to replace the Bedford VAM. The engine was mounted centrally under the floor. In 1972 an 11-metre (36 ft) version, the YRT, entered production as a replacement for the twin-steer Bedford VAL. New more powerful engines were introduced in 1975 with the YLQ (10m) and YMT (11m). The 1980 YNT was a development of the YMT with a turbocharged engine, while the YLQ became the YMQ and then the YMP. The 12-metre YNV Venturer with air suspension was the final development of the Y series, announced in 1984. Bus and truck production by Bedford ceased in 1986.

Chassis summary

The Y series was produced in four different lengths; 8m, 10m, 11m and 12m. The majority were bodied as coaches, though the 8m, 10m and 11m versions were also built as

es and

midibus A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...

es. Seating capacities varied, but were typically 45 for a 10m bus or coach and 53 for an 11m. The 12m version was built almost exclusively as a coach, with one exception where a

Plaxton Paramount The Plaxton Paramount was a design of coach bodywork built by Plaxton. It first appeared at the 1982 British Motor Show and was built until 1992. In its more common single deck form it replaced the Supreme V and Viewmaster IV, and was replac ...

coach body shell was fitted out with bus seats in a high-capacity layout.Bus Lists On The Web
/ref> *Bedford Y series **Eight metres ***YMP/S **Ten metres ***YRQ ***YLQ ***YMQ ***YMP **Eleven metres ***YRT ***YMT ***YNT **Twelve metres ***YNV Venturer The Bedford Y series was sold extensively in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, mainly to independent operators, as well as in export markets. It was fitted with a wide variety of bodies by different manufacturers, chiefly Duple and

Plaxton Plaxton is an English builder of bus and coach vehicle bodies based in Scarborough. Founded in 1907 by Frederick William Plaxton, it became a subsidiary of Alexander Dennis in May 2007. In 2019, the maker was acquired by Canadian bus manu ...

References

{{Bedford vehicles, state=autocollapse Y series Vehicles introduced in 1970 Buses of the United Kingdom Coaches (bus) Midibuses Bus chassis