Vacant seats on buses/coaches

[Martin1988]

One complaint I have about long distance journeys with National Express and Megabus is the fact that some passengers seem to be permitted to occupy more seats than they require between themselves.

In the last 6 months I've been on two Megabus journeys where the back row has had 5 seats and 2 passengers have occupied them between themselves for the entire journey by either sitting close to the aisle or by positioning themselves at either end of the coach. In one of these instances the passengers even placed their belongings on the seats in front therefore effectively occupying 7 seats. I've also been on a couple of NX journeys in the past where one passenger has lay across the back row to prevent anyone else from sitting next to them.

I've also been on a few journeys where passengers sitting elsewhere on the coach have made it difficult for others to sit next to them by sitting in the aisle seat and placing their bags on the adjacent seats.

I would be interested to find out, do passengers have a right to request to sit in any vacant seat on the vehicle regardless of whether or not there is a greater amount of space elsewhere onboard or is it a case that if the coach is not full do passengers have the right to occupy a greater number of seats to themselves?

Sitting next to another passenger is something I'd rather avoid but I know by now that on some occasions it has to happen. I just think that its not fair that some people seem to be able to get more seats to themselves than they require and others are expected to clear a space for other passengers when asked to do so.

 

[Robertj21a]

Just ask (tell) them to move, it's really quite simple!

Robert

 

[Welshman]

Ask them either to move, or allow you past them into the vacant seat.

On some single-deck buses, I sit in the middle seat of the five at the back because that gives me more leg-room.

But I've no objection to swinging my legs over to allow someone past!

I find this problem is greater on trains where some people reserve the window seat of four around a table, then sit in the adjacent aisle seat, leaving the reservation ticket on the inside seat, giving the impression that is reserved for someone joining further down the line.

It takes a lot of courage to lean over someone to read the small print on the reservation ticket, and then even greater courage to ask them to get up to allow you access!

 

[Stan Drews]

Doesn't this happen on virtually every single bus/coach/train journey?
You pay for a seat, and in some cases you can even reserve a specific one, but it doesn't stop people from spreading out, if they're able to get away with it.

 

[Mugby]

Unfortunately many people now expect to be able to do it whenever they travel!

 

[Martin1988]

I'm well used to sitting next to passengers on trains. I used to regularly travel on the trains from Yate to Bristol, Bath Spa and Swindon and it was almost inevitable that you'd be sitting next to another passenger at certain times of day- in particular in the morning.

Does anyone think that National Express and Megabus should enable passengers to reserve specific seats on the coach- at least on certain journeys? It would be a great help for large groups of people such as families who want to sit together and it would possible allow for a less stressful boarding experience. Particularly in the case of Megabus at the on street stops.

 

[IanD]

I'm well used to sitting next to passengers on trains. I used to regularly travel on the trains from Yate to Bristol, Bath Spa and Swindon and it was almost inevitable that you'd be sitting next to another passenger at certain times of day- in particular in the morning.

Does anyone think that National Express and Megabus should enable passengers to reserve specific seats on the coach- at least on certain journeys? It would be a great help for large groups of people such as families who want to sit together and it would possible allow for a less stressful boarding experience. Particularly in the case of Megabus at the on street stops.

NEX used to do this on some services but now say they can't because they don't know the seating layout of whatever coach may be allocated to a particular service on the day.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The last two times that this has occurred to my wife and I strangely enough featured the same type of "offender"...a girl in her mid-20's, extremely well dressed in a two-piece business suit. The first of these young women had taken the outside seat of a table seat and had put her expensive leather business document holder on the seat next to the window and a large case on the other window seat.

When I asked the first of these women to allow us to access the unoccupied window seats, I was glared at and informed that she needed the space to allow herself to prepare "some very important documents". Those who know me and of how I would react would not be surprised that I took it upon myself to admonish the self-important personage by enquiring if she had paid for the three-seat occupation in a somewhat raised voice that all nearby passengers could hear and I stated that I could see no seat reservation tickets affixed to the two window seats. I stood my ground and with much grumbling, the young female vacated both the window seats and used the overhead luggage space for her belongings. I compounded my annoyance by ensuring that the table in front of my window seat was used to put my broadsheet newspaper on to ensure that the woman was restricted to the table use only in front of her.

Call me petty-minded but there are times when certain people need their self-importance deflating.

 

[starrymarkb]

NEX used to do this on some services but now say they can't because they don't know the seating layout of whatever coach may be allocated to a particular service on the day.

They probably could do the first few rows (excluding the ones that fold for a wheelchair)

At the back things will vary depending if it's an Elite or Levante (Elites only have 2 seats in the back row rather then 3) and if it's a 14m or 15m TriAxle or 12m TwinAxle

 

[Deerfold]

NEX used to do this on some services but now say they can't because they don't know the seating layout of whatever coach may be allocated to a particular service on the day.

And (at least briefly on some of the quieter services) they allowed you to book the seat next to you to be unoccupied.

I suspect they had problems with enforcing that - and services generally have become busier.

 

[Martin1988]

I didn't realise that NX used to allow this on some journeys. I can see where problems might occur if a vehicle with a different seating capacity/layout to normal had to be used

 

[Techniquest]

Yes it would be a PITA on the 445 Hereford to London route (I think that's the right route number anyway), as sometimes it's an NX branded one, other times a Yeomans-liveried and branded coach of a different variety altogether (Plaxton something or other IIRC) works it. The 321 Aberdare to Bradford (which serves Hereford en-route) is normally the same type of vehicle, but I rarely see that one unless I finish work very early and it happens to come over the bridge at the same time as me.

My sister did Bideford to Birmingham and back the other day on NatEx, her outward coach on the direct journey (I think it continues to York, I forget the numbers now) was quite old for this day and age. Didn't think there were many L reg coaches still in use but that's what she had.

As for the occupying multiple seats, on my commuting that's rarely an issue unless you're on the 0720 or 0950 Hereford-bound. Coming back, the 1600 and 1700 are the ones you just can't manage that on. If my usual buses, 1250 inward and 2115 home, are busy I'll naturally let others sit down in the otherwise vacant seat but that's not normally required. The MCV Evolution thing I get going to work doesn't have much legroom on most seats so if I'm at the back and it's quiet, I'll sit in the middle seat and stretch out, but got no issue with moving up if necessary.

Obviously that doesn't apply to a lot of people, judging by this thread!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Does anyone think that National Express and Megabus should enable passengers to reserve specific seats on the coach- at least on certain journeys? It would be a great help for large groups of people such as families who want to sit together and it would possible allow for a less stressful boarding experience. Particularly in the case of Megabus at the on street stops.

I totally agree with this. Particularly on the double deck Vanhools (I think that's what they are, the ones that do the Cardiff/Bristol/Manchester to London route?), there are seats that are quite popular such as the table seats downstairs for families and the upstairs front window that has extra leg room.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I'm actually one of these people on trains actually. I book my seat online for wherever I'm going and when I get on it, I move the seat reservation to the next seat so no one will sit next to me.

I only do it when it's quiet as usually there's more seats to go around.

 

[swifty]

My sister did Bideford to Birmingham and back the other day on NatEx, her outward coach on the direct journey (I think it continues to York, I forget the numbers now) was quite old for this day and age. Didn't think there were many L reg coaches still in use but that's what she had.

From the sounds of it, that would have been the 339 operated by South Gloucestershire Bus. It wouldn't have been an L reg coach but one of their reserve Nat Ex coaches, a 2003 Van Hool, with a personalised LxxxSGB plate.

They don't give the best impression on the age of a vehicle to the travelling public!!

 

[BurtonM]

Van Hools do all look the same, I was going to suggest that it might have been a different plate!

If it's not a case of reserved seats but just 'sit anywhere', then there's no harm in asking to sit next to people.
Generally, if a bus (any, not just NatEx) is quiet when I get on, I'll put my bag on the seat next to me, but if someone asks if they can sit there then I'm more than happy to move it for them. I do, however, take offense to people just moving other people's belongings off the seat onto the floor to sit on a seat. This happened to me once with a uni student when I was on a bus at the start of the academic year. I glared at the guy for moving my bag, and he didn't get what he'd done wrong...

 

[radamfi]

iDBUS (owned by SNCF), who operate between London, Lille and Paris, give you a seat number when you book. However, you cannot pick the seat. The aisle seats on their coaches can be moved about 100 mm into the aisle so you do get improved privacy even if you have to sit next to someone. Megabus and National Express are missing a trick here by not providing adjustable width seats.

 

[Techniquest]

My sister did Bideford to Birmingham and back the other day on NatEx, her outward coach on the direct journey (I think it continues to York, I forget the numbers now) was quite old for this day and age. Didn't think there were many L reg coaches still in use but that's what she had.

From the sounds of it, that would have been the 339 operated by South Gloucestershire Bus. It wouldn't have been an L reg coach but one of their reserve Nat Ex coaches, a 2003 Van Hool, with a personalised LxxxSGB plate.

They don't give the best impression on the age of a vehicle to the travelling public!!

Ah right, can't say I knew that. I'd pass on the gen to her but doubt she'd understand lol. Yeah the 339 sounds right, and aye she wasn't impressed at all!

 

[90019]

Unfortunately many people now expect to be able to do it whenever they travel!

Nobody gets to sit next to me when I'm on the bus.

 

[Martin1988]

I would much rather travel on one of SGBC's van-hools on the 339 as opposed to a levante but I understand that there are some people who prefer newer vehicles.

I've been on a good number of NX and Megabus journeys where the drivers have used two of the front seats to store their bags. I've found that in more recent years that with a few exceptions, the drivers have been more tolerant towards passengers who have asked to sit there than they previously were. I remember one NX journey during 2005 where the driver blocked off the first 4 rows of seats which meant passengers had to squash up. I'm sure that isn't allowed?

There seem to be a couple of NX routes such as the 532 from Plymouth to Edinburgh where the front seats are very rarely made available for passengers. I know that on the tri-axle levantes which were used on the route until recently, two of the seats were stated as being "For crew use only" and the drivers would normally use the other two for their belongings. I've also been on the route on a few occasions where passengers have attempted to sit there and have been asked to move. I've never been sure whether on this service, the drivers are permitted to keep all 4 front seats for themselves or not?

 

[Welshman]

I've been on a good number of NX and Megabus journeys where the drivers have used two of the front seats to store their bags. I remember one NX journey during 2005 where the driver blocked off the first 4 rows of seats which meant passengers had to squash up. I'm sure that isn't allowed?

There seem to be a couple of NX routes such as the 532 from Plymouth to Edinburgh where the front seats are very rarely made available for passengers. I know that on the tri-axle levantes which were used on the route until recently, two of the seats were stated as being "For crew use only" and the drivers would normally use the other two for their belongings. I've also been on the route on a few occasions where passengers have attempted to sit there and have been asked to move. I've never been sure whether on this service, the drivers are permitted to keep all 4 front seats for themselves or not?

I've always thought this to be the coach equivalent of BR drivers of first-generation dmus, who drove around all day with the blinds permanently down.

Perhaps some coach drivers find it distracting to have passengers peering over their shoulders!

 

[Titfield]

I was given to understand that drivers don't like the distraction of the passenger immediately behind them talking loudly on their mobile phones.

 

[starrymarkb]

There seem to be a couple of NX routes such as the 532 from Plymouth to Edinburgh where the front seats are very rarely made available for passengers. I know that on the tri-axle levantes which were used on the route until recently, two of the seats were stated as being "For crew use only" and the drivers would normally use the other two for their belongings. I've also been on the route on a few occasions where passengers have attempted to sit there and have been asked to move. I've never been sure whether on this service, the drivers are permitted to keep all 4 front seats for themselves or not?

IME The 532 has two drivers that swap every couple of hours so the officially blocked seats are used by the resting driver. The other route I usually use has a driver change at Taunton Deane.

 

[Welshman]

IME The 532 has two drivers that swap every couple of hours so the officially blocked seats are used by the resting driver. The other route I usually use has a driver change at Taunton Deane.

I'm not doubting what you say, but I think if I were taking a break from driving I'd want to sit at the rear of the coach, where I couldn't see the road ahead!

 

[howittpie]

A few years Nat Ex did a priority boarding at VCS when you booked your ticket on-line you could pay a £1 and were then boarded before the rest of the passengers. It was very useful if you knew the service was going to be busy and was quite funny looking at some of the bemused looks on faces of other passengers.

 

[Martin1988]

Thanks for explaining how it works. I thought it might be the case that all 4 front seats are deliberately kept free on the 532 service for the driver although I wasn't sure

I've sat in the front seats on this route between Bristol and Birmingham on a couple of occasions. In both of these a passenger was sat there on the Plymouth-Bristol section(presumably at the discretion of the driver) and the seats were still clear when I boarded. When I did the route between Edinburgh and Bristol last year a similar thing happened. Two passengers traveling between Carlisle and Birmingham were permitted to sit there by the drivers and the seats weren't blocked off again after Birmingham. I also got to sit there returning from Birmingham to Bristol one evening. I was booked on the following departure at 2045 and the 532 was full but the drivers made room for me by allowing me to sit in the front seats. Presumably this suggests that the front seats can be made available to passengers at the discretion of the drivers.

On my journey back from Edinburgh the seats were not blocked off when I boarded at Edinburgh. I actually enquired with the driver about the seats and was told to keep the first row free. When the second driver boarded at Glasgow himself and the driver's luggage went on the seats.

 

[WestSussexSAFC]

I'm guilty of doing this on overnight National Express services, I won't take the back row for example but i'll try and block the seat next to me with my long legs. Because the route I normally do is the 436 Sunderland to Victoria service, even with the 30 minute break at Woodall & reclining seats I can't ever get comfortable with the leg room.

 

[Martin1988]

Out of interest, are overnight National Express services generally quiet or is it common for them to get rather busy?

I've never been on a proper overnight service but a few years back I traveled back from London to Bristol on the last 040 service(which was 2330 in the evening from memory). The coach wasn't full to bursting but remember being suprised at the fact there were so many passengers on board.

 

[Deerfold]

Out of interest, are overnight National Express services generally quiet or is it common for them to get rather busy?

I've never been on a proper overnight service but a few years back I traveled back from London to Bristol on the last 040 service(which was 2330 in the evening from memory). The coach wasn't full to bursting but remember being suprised at the fact there were so many passengers on board.

The 465 Yorkshire to London is often fully booked. Before the overnight megabus services started I'd sometimes have to book on the more expensive 240 Yorkshire - Heathrow service and get the tube in if the 465 was booked up.

Having said that it covers parts of the : 564, 561, 560, 450 daytime services

 

[WestSussexSAFC]

Out of interest, are overnight National Express services generally quiet or is it common for them to get rather busy?

I've never been on a proper overnight service but a few years back I traveled back from London to Bristol on the last 040 service(which was 2330 in the evening from memory). The coach wasn't full to bursting but remember being suprised at the fact there were so many passengers on board.

Last time I was on one was late January and was the quietest i've known it, everyone practically had 2 seats to themselves. Other than that they're normally very busy imo, I suppose because the tickets are so cheap (Sunderland to Victoria for example is normally £10 with notice).