The Neoplan Transliner is the name Neoplan used for a single-decker inter-urban and rental coach sold in Europe in the 1990s, with one axle or several. The same badge appeared on two other vehicles: a transit bus built by Neoplan USA from 1982 to 2006 and a licensed coach assembled in Indonesia.
Neoplan Transliner at a glance
| European type | single-decker inter-urban and rental coach |
|---|---|
| European market | 1990s |
| Axles | single-axle or multi-axle |
| Bodywork customers | Dennis Javelin and MAN coaches in the United Kingdom |
| US models | AN430, AN435, AN440, AN460 |
| US lengths | 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 m) |
| US production | 1982–2006, Neoplan USA |
| Indonesian version | Adiputro Wirasejati, Mercedes-Benz OH 1521 chassis |
| Replaced by | Euroliner, from 1998 |
History of the Neoplan Transliner
Europe
In Europe the Transliner was a single-decker inter-urban coach and rental coach that Neoplan Bus GmbH built for the European market in the 1990s, in single-axle and multi-axle form. The bodywork was also supplied to other chassis makers: some Dennis Javelin and MAN coaches in the United Kingdom carried Transliner bodywork. The range was assembled at the Berlin-Spandau plant, in an assembly arrangement with the Plauen and Ehrenhain works, and it was replaced in 1998 by the Euroliner.
United States
Neoplan USA sold a transit bus under the same name, with the model designations AN430, AN435, AN440 and AN460. The last two digits of each number give the nominal body length in feet, from 30 to 60 feet, or about 9 to 18 metres. The bus was first marketed in 1982 and remained on sale until the manufacturer went bankrupt in 2006. Buyers could choose from a variety of engines, wheelchair lifts and low-floor versions.
Indonesia
The Indonesian version is built by the coachbuilder Adiputro Wirasejati under licence from Neoplan Bus GmbH, on a Mercedes-Benz OH 1521 chassis.
Design and features
- One name, several vehicles: a European inter-urban coach, an American transit bus and an Indonesian licensed coach all carried the Transliner badge.
- Flexible axles: the European coach came in single-axle and multi-axle versions.
- Bodywork supply: Transliner bodies were fitted to Dennis Javelin and MAN chassis in Britain.
- Length by number: the American model number encoded the length, so an AN440 was a 40-foot bus.
- Wide choice: the US transit version could be ordered with different engines, wheelchair lifts or a low floor.
Neoplan Transliner versions
- European Transliner: single-decker inter-urban and rental coach, single or multi-axle.
- AN430: the 30-foot American transit bus.
- AN435: the 35-foot version.
- AN440: the 40-foot version.
- AN460: the 60-foot articulated version.
- Indonesian Transliner: Adiputro bodywork on a Mercedes-Benz OH 1521 chassis.
The Transliner was replaced in Europe by the Euroliner in 1998, and its city-bus duties in Germany were covered by low-floor types such as the N 4021. More coaches are in the Neoplan collection.
Sources
- Neoplan Transliner, English Wikipedia: European, American and Indonesian versions
- Neoplan, German Wikipedia: assembly at Berlin-Spandau
- Neoplan Euroliner, German Wikipedia: replacement of the Transliner in 1998
