Bendies in Brighton.

[EM2]

Having been to Brighton for the first time in a long time today, I see Brighton & Hove are using bendy buses on a few services.
I was wondering what the public reaction has been?

 

[CROMPTON 33]

they run on the route 25. been in use for over 1 year now ex london.

 

[ushawk]

Having been to Brighton for the first time in a long time today, I see Brighton & Hove are using bendy buses on a few services.
I was wondering what the public reaction has been?

Been in use for about a year on the busy route 25. Public reaction (from bus users) has been positive as of course more people can be carried on them and more seats are available compared to a normal double decker. They also get used for the P&R at the Amex Stadium and seeing as they can carry 100 at a time, they are very good at clearing crowds.

The route getting bendies also allowed the "larger" Omnidekka's in the fleet to be moved onto Route 12, which is welcomed as its also one of the busiest routes !!

 

[mbonwick]

More seats than a double decker? I don't think so!
Artic - AB49T or AB56D usually.
Double deck generally around H47/28F = 75 seats.

However, where the artics win on capacity is standing - full they can shift over 100 people, double decks can only shift around 90 at a push.

 

[bb21]

However, where the artics win on capacity is standing - full they can shift over 100 people, double decks can only shift around 90 at a push.

London artics (AB49T configuration) were certified for 142 I believe. Different strengths, different route suitability.

 

[bicbasher]

Do passengers still have to board at the front door?

 

[northwichcat]

However, where the artics win on capacity is standing - full they can shift over 100 people, double decks can only shift around 90 at a push.

In short the extra capacity is because standing is permitted in both sections of a bendy bus while is only permitted on the lower saloon of a double decker.

 

[Deerfold]

In short the extra capacity is because standing is permitted in both sections of a bendy bus while is only permitted on the lower saloon of a double decker.

Not to mention no need to put a staircase in.

 

[ushawk]

Do passengers still have to board at the front door?

Yep, can only board at the front door. The "back" door is exit only and the middle door was removed when they moved over to Brighton and Hove.

 

[Mikey C]

Yep, can only board at the front door. The "back" door is exit only and the middle door was removed when they moved over to Brighton and Hove.

So if you're at the front, you have to walk all the way to the back to get off? That's quite a trek...

 

[bicbasher]

So if you're at the front, you have to walk all the way to the back to get off? That's quite a trek...

It defeats the objective of the quick boarding which is why they were introduced to London.

One thing I don't miss from when I lived outside London was asking for the exact destination and the driver finding it on the terminal which slows boarding.

 

[samxool]

bendy buses are used purely for ticket dodging.
ban them all now!

 

[MCR247]

Well that was clearly a very well informed post. Now there are no bendies left in London, every other operator that uses them (AFAIAA) only use the front door for boarding.

So explain to me how they are purely used for ticket dodging and why they should all be banned?

 

[jon0844]

bendy buses are used purely for ticket dodging.
ban them all now!

1. Were, not are.
2. In London they effectively have been banned but there are plenty of places where they're suitable and actually quite beneficial.

 

[Antman]

bendy buses are used purely for ticket dodging.
ban them all now!

In London they were...............everywhere else in the UK passengers board by the front door same as any other OPO bus:roll:

 

[ushawk]

So if you're at the front, you have to walk all the way to the back to get off? That's quite a trek...

You can exit at either door, so it isnt all bad !!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

bendy buses are used purely for ticket dodging.
ban them all now!

You cant ticket dodge on the Brighton ones, that and Brighton and Hove have introduced more ticket checks on board buses, so if you do fare evade, you will be fined.

 

[jon0844]

How does the driver stop people just boarding from the rear doors, so far away, when some people board through the middle exit doors on London buses and don't get noticed (or do, but the driver can't or won't do anything).

 

[MCR247]

In my experience, people just don't do it. I've never seen anyone in Nottingham do it, or at least try to! Maybe its just a reflection of the people down there

 

[Antman]

How does the driver stop people just boarding from the rear doors, so far away, when some people board through the middle exit doors on London buses and don't get noticed (or do, but the driver can't or won't do anything).

It's probably usually the latter, the driver does notice but can't be bothered with arguments and delays but some drivers will refuse to move off until the person pays up, shows pass or swipes oyster.

 

[anthony263]

bendy buses are used purely for ticket dodging.
ban them all now!

Cardiff Bus manage with theirs in Cardiff fine and so do First Cymru although they have customer hhosts on board

 

[radamfi]

Most places with bendy buses allow all door entry as the use of bendy buses is normally accompanied by open boarding. UK cities are the main exceptions.

The Netherlands no longer allows free boarding for most buses but still allows it on some bendy buses. There are 3-part bendy buses in Utrecht which would be pointless if everyone had to board at the front.

Some places insist that all tickets are checked by the driver in the late evening.