The unusual looking coach nearest the camera is thought to be the prototype Cannon Hiline chassis
with the prototype Leicester Carriage Builders "Islander" body. The Leyland Swift proved to be
well-suited to Jersey conditions but a hole in the market was created when Leyland was bought
out by Volvo and the Swift killed off. Secondhand examples of the Swift have appeared in Jersey
since including the other bus in the photo, now registered J 10642. However the time has come
for new vehicles to be bought and the Hiline chassis is understood to be very similar to the
Swift with the same Cummins B-series engine and Allison autobox. The air-conditioning vents can
be seen on the roof at the rear.
When seen here at La Collette in April 1999, this coach was just a few months old and was shortly joined by a second, with very much less black paint around the front end. It remains to be
seen whether the other coach companies are minded to order new Cannon coaches for fleet
renewals.
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