The Scania Metropolitan was the first double decker bus model built jointly by MCW and Scania division of Saab-Scania. It was built between 1973 and 1978. It was also the second bus model jointly built by these two companies. The first model was the Metro-Scania single decker based on the BR110/CR110 chassis, which was first built for the UK market in 1969 and sold in small numbers.
Construction
The Metropolitan was based on Scania BR111DH chassis and the body was constructed by MCW. The distinguishing feature is the asymmetric windscreen being deeper on the nearside (a similar design being used on the Mk I version of the MCW Metrobus). However severe corrosion problems of the body structure led these buses to have a short life in service. London Transport was once the largest operator of Metropolitans, with 164 being delivered between 1975 and 1977, but all of them were withdrawn by 1983. The West Yorkshire PTE purchased 95 Metropolitans between 1975 and 1977. They were all withdrawn by 1985. One example entered preservation, but was eventually scrapped in the early 1990s. China Motor Bus in Hong Kong acquired two Metropolitan buses in 1975. They were withdrawn in late 1980s.
End of production
The production of Metropolitan was finally terminated in 1978. In all 659 Metropolitan were sold. MCW launched the Metrobus in 1977, and Scania launched the BR112DH chassis in 1980 as the replacement of BR111DH.
