Leyland National - Exports

Exports

The export version of the Leyland National was constructed in the standard way, although some were what might be called a hybrid, consisting of longer windows up to the rear axle and shorter ones after. This resulted in a 10.9 metre bus as opposed to either a 10.3 or 11.3 metre version.

Given the design it was very easy to produce left hand drive vehicles and these were used as a way of generating orders.

However, the Leyland National was not very successful in the export market - the largest export order of 450 was to Caracas, Venezuela in 1975/6. Around 125 Leyland Nationals were shipped to Kingston, Jamaica between 1972 and 1974 to be operated by the Jamaica Omnibus Service, a subsidiary of the British Electric Traction company. A shipment of 40 units was exported to Trinidad and Tobago for use by the National Bus Company.

Some examples were sold in Holland but the problem with windscreen glare resulted in the windscreens being removed and a different version being fitted. No more were exported to Holland. St Etienne Municipality in France also purchased

In Australia, ACTION buses of Canberra operated seventy Leyland Nationals, all seventy were introduced between November 1974 and October 1975. 16 came fully assembled from the UK and 54 in Australia. The last were withdrawn from service in the early 90's. Seven Leyland Nationals were purchased by Brisbane City Council's transport department in 1975 and were withdrawn from service in 1985. Ten Leyland Nationals were also bought by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board in 1975.

The Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT) (now operating as Metro Tasmania) in Tasmania purchased 63 Nationals in 1975-76 for use in the capital city, Hobart. These were all 10.3 metre units, however one was rejected by the MTT and its replacement was a 10.9 metre unit.