When the motorised city bus was first introduced in Paris, an open platform at the rear was a common feature. But after the late 1960s, these features were quickly forgotten. By chance, a modern SAVIEM SC10 bus was rebuilt with an open platform in the RATP workshop at the end of the 1970s after it had been damaged. That was the beginning of series production.
Some vehicles are the result of pure coincidence, such as the SAVIEM SC10u with an open platform at the rear. In April 1977, the Ste Versaillise de Transports Urbains (SVTU), the bus company for Versailles and the surrounding area, put this example into service as a closed bus. A total of 66 of these SAVIEMs were in service with this company. This bus was soon involved in a serious rear-end collision. On arrival at the garage, the company director thought it would be a good idea to look back at the history of Renault buses with an open rear platform. In the 1920s and 1930s, this platform was the only way to board the bus and there was also a conductor at the front to ensure that no one boarded the bus without a ticket. The way public transport companies used their buses in the 1970s, this was no longer possible. It would also be dangerous to allow passengers to board and alight at the rear of the bus, which was much busier.
Access to the open platform had to be from the inside. Officially, the bus was a type 244 D with 35 seats. Directly behind the third and rear entrance door was a partition with a sliding door in the middle. Opening this door gave passengers access to the open platform. Logically, this part of the bus was only used by passengers who stayed a little longer on board, and in cold and wet weather the platform remained empty.
SAVIEM was so enthusiastic about the idea of an SC10u with an open platform that it decided to offer this option in its October 1978 brochure. Three different versions were immediately proposed. There was a choice of 26 or 29 seats. The operator could also choose to have the sliding partition in front of or behind the last doors.
The current owner is Phébus Kéolis Versailles, which used the vehicle until 2004, i.e. for no less than 27 years. The odometer reads 678,000 kilometres, which is probably the actual mileage. There are only two remaining examples of the 66 SC10u from Versailles, only one of which has a platform. Although the bus is officially owned by the transport company, it is maintained and operated by Car-Histo-Bus and SAVIEM Passion. Not only do they look after the technical side of things, but they also have the people who can drive the buses during events.
Photo: The SAVIEM SC10 with open platform was created by chance. This example was delivered to Versailles in 1977 and is kept by Car-Histo-Bus and SAVIEM Passion.
Walking around and through the bus, one notices the large number of signs and notices. According to the specifications, the bus is 11 metres long, 2.5 metres wide, weighs 8,410 kg and can weigh up to 15 tonnes including passengers and their luggage.
The exits are, of course, marked Sortie. At the push of a button, the door to the platform opens and closes automatically. Of course, the bus has push buttons to indicate that you want to get off at the next stop, with explanitory signs.
The driver is surrounded by the necessary buttons, lights and levers. Some are marked with symbols, others with text explaining their function. For example, the lights and ventilation can be switched on or off, and of course the various side doors can be opened and closed. On the far right is the speedometer with the odometer in the middle. The top speed of 125 km/h is, of course, an optimistic dream. Diagonally below is the control unit of the SAVIEM R107 automatic gearbox. It's a four-speed automatic with reverse. This is coupled to a MAN D 08-46 HM 82 U engine, a 6-cylinder with a capacity of 7.3 litres, good for 160 bhp.
Even after the facelift, the SC10 was offered with a platform.