Buses with 3+2 seating

[py_megapixel]

What buses and coaches have a 3+2 seating configuration, given that 2+2 is standard? (I'm aware that a lot of older buses had benches but that's not really what I am thinking of here).

 

[JonathanH]

Quite common in Northern Ireland. Otherwise some coaches used on school journeys.

 

[Non Multi]

Back in my student days (2000-ish) we had the occasional joys of a Caetano Cutlass coach with 3+2. Very basic interior - very much intended for school transport.

 

[markymark2000]

There isn't a 'standard'.

I think for service buses, the only 2 that I have come accross are BMCs and Optare Versas which have 3+2 seats. Otherwise, it's coaches and almost any coach can probably be upseated. Plenty of Levantes done though as it's an easy PSVAR winner. Otherwise, could be almost any coach.

 

[Busaholic]

Maidstone Borough Council used Bedford buses with 3 + 2 seating in the early 1980s as standard.

 

[fgwrich]

Quite common in Northern Ireland. Otherwise some coaches used on school journeys.

Along with the Highlands too. A few years ago, I ended up on a (cramped) Stagecoach Plaxton B7R with a 3+2 layout from Kyle to Portree (Skye). Not the most comfortable of vehicles!

 

[Megafuss]

Along with the Highlands too. A few years ago, I ended up on a (cramped) Stagecoach Plaxton B10M with a 3+2 layout from Kyle to Portree (Skye). Not the most comfortable of vehicles!

Had the luxery of one of those vehicles on the 34X from Inverness to Aviemore a couple of years back. Slochd summit was an interesting experience for sure

 

[Flange Squeal]

There were a reasonable number of 3x2 seated Enviro 300s built in the mid-2000s, which I believe are generally 60 seaters.

 

[ScotsRail]

Along with the Highlands too. A few years ago, I ended up on a (cramped) Stagecoach Plaxton B10M with a 3+2 layout from Kyle to Portree (Skye). Not the most comfortable of vehicles!

Saw the title and came onto mention the above service - the single most uncomfortable trip I've ever taken (thankfully I was on Citylink on the way back) as at 6'3 I was way too tall to sit in a row. Thankfully it was off season and the bus was near enough empty that I could sit almost sideways to get some leg room.

 

[fgwrich]

Saw the title and came onto mention the above service - the single most uncomfortable trip I've ever taken (thankfully I was on Citylink on the way back) as at 6'3 I was way too tall to sit in a row. Thankfully it was off season and the bus was near enough empty that I could sit almost sideways to get some leg room.

Funny enough i’ve just found the photos from that trip - and like you, I too took a Citylink back to Kyle of Localsh as well.

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

The MyBus BMC Condors in West Yorkshire have 3+2 seating most of the way up.

I had a Station Coaches Optare Solo with 3+2 seating once.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Generally school coaches. Personally I think it should be illegal to carry adults in those seats because it is not possible to use the seat belt correctly if you do not properly fit in the seat; they should have a section of 2+2 for e.g. teachers.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It used to be quite common in North Scotland as already mentioned. The main reason being because deckers are unsuitable on the routes they operate in the Highlands especially during the winter. Bluebird also went through a period of replacing deckers on school duties with coaches and Alexander PS types following a number of high profile rollover incidents.

However in recent years the number of 3+2 vehicles has dropped significantly with Bluebird losing quite a bit of school work and going back to deckers on much of the services they still do while Highland have instead opted for tri-axle coaches. The only 3+2 vehicles left in service with Stagecoach Bluebird/Highlands now are 27586 at Skye and 53275/76 at Tain. All of which are due to be withdrawn imminently being replaced by Plaxton Elites.

 

[GusB]

What buses and coaches have a 3+2 seating configuration, given that 2+2 is standard? (I'm aware that a lot of older buses had benches but that's not really what I am thinking of here).

It's not really an easy question to answer when you consider that many vehicles will have been converted to 3+2 in later life. Some operators will specify 3+2 from new, though, and coach builders and dealers can usually accommodate such requests.

Going back in time a wee bit (!), Highland Omnibuses had a few Leyland Leopards Y-types that had a B62F layout. Three came from Northern Scottish and were originally B53F, a couple were built like that and came from Fife, while the remainder were native and had 3+2 as new.

 

[mlambeuk]

The only time i came across this was in the early 90's on a couple of vehicles which were operated by a company called Reynard bus in York.

 

[pdq]

Way back in the 80s, my local company, Silcox of Pembroke/Tenby, had three Duple Dominant buses (not coaches) with 3+2 seating. There was an N reg (1974) R (77) and V (80). Although it was bench seating, so slightly not what the OP asked, they were definitely set out as 3+2, seating 63 or 65. They were used as everyday buses, not just for school transport. I've searched Flikr and Google and can only find exterior shots unfortunately.

 

[Roger1973]

Barton had some Plaxton bodied AEC Reliances to 3+2 seating in 1972.

At least some ended up with London Country as their RN class.

Photo of one (not mine) here

 

[route101]

Border Buses solo or Versa on the 253 from Berwick to Edinburgh.

 

[Roger1973]

And I can't find a picture that shows it well, but Maidstone and District converted some shortish Leyland Leopards to semi 3+2 seating

Like this one (again, photo not mine)

 

[86247]

Back in the 1990s, Stagecoach Ribble had I think 3 P type tigers - I think it was 644 to 646 - which were B63 and came from Cumberland.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

United had a challenge of needing higher capacity single deckers for schools in North Yorkshire in preference to deckers so a 12m Leopard and then at least 2/3 12m Tigers (all former ex National Express coaches) were reseated to become 63 seaters.

One of them was subsequently sold to Lincolnshire Road Car when it was probably 14 years old, and was re-seated back to be being a coach.

 

[GusB]

Back in the 1990s, Stagecoach Ribble had I think 3 P type tigers - I think it was 644 to 646 - which were B63 and came from Cumberland.

643-646 (WAO643-6Y) had Alexander TE bodies rather than P-types. They were new as C47F, so must have been up-seated later in life.

 

[Andyh82]

Transdev have Wright Renown’s (and previously some Alexander Striders) with 3+2 seating for the school MyBus and UrbanCool brands

They also fitted some of the Plaxton Interurban coaches that Blazefield got lumbered with from Ribble with 3-2 seating for schools

 

[86247]

Tried looking on flickr for pictures but all I could find was pictures of them with 2+2 seating. Me and a mate had one Preston to Lancaster and they had the most uncomfortable seats ever.

 

[Stan Drews]

Many of the early 3 + 2 seated buses in the 80s/90s, simply had standard bench type seats, with the ‘3’ being wider than a standard seat in a conventional 2 + 2 layout, whilst the ‘2’ was narrower. On school work, the kids could relatively easily sit 3+2, but if the buses doubled on local service work, it wasn’t a huge issue, as you wouldn’t often have a full load of adults (if ever), and two adults could simply spread out over the 3 seats and still be fairly comfortable.
However, when the standard 3+2 layout generally became individual coach seats with seat belts, that made them very awkward if you ever tried to double up there use on work carrying adults.

I recall back in the 90s Go Whippet had a few Bedfords and Volvo B58s, with Duple Dominant bus bodies that had 3+2 seating, and saw regular use on normal bus work as well as school runs, especially the Volvos - EAV812V and REG870X if memory serves me well.

 

[150249]

What buses and coaches have a 3+2 seating configuration, given that 2+2 is standard? (I'm aware that a lot of older buses had benches but that's not really what I am thinking of here).

Several Dartline coaches have 2+3 seating.

 

[ScotsRail]

Funny enough i’ve just found the photos from that trip - and like you, I too took a Citylink back to Kyle of Localsh as well.

The seating on the bus.

The only time I've been on one of these setups and the only time I want to be on one of these setups.

 

[ChrisC]

Generally school coaches. Personally I think it should be illegal to carry adults in those seats because it is not possible to use the seat belt correctly if you do not properly fit in the seat; they should have a section of 2+2 for e.g. teachers.

They are not very good for older school children, even far too cramped for older 9-11 year old primary school children. We used one regularly for our younger children and I didn’t find it too bad for my class of 6&7 year olds. It was very useful to be able to accommodate two classes of children for visits to museums etc as it reduced the price considerably in comparison to having to book two coaches. There is only so much you can ask parents to contribute and using this type of coach would often make a visit viable whereas otherwise it would be too expensive. I take the point about a few 2+2 seats for adults but to be quite honest as a teacher, I was usually too busy and stressed keeping the children safely supervised to even think about my safety and comfort. Having said all that I have to add that I really hated this type of coach with so many children in such a confined space.

 

[150249]

The seating on the bus.

The only time I've been on one of these setups and the only time I want to be on one of these setups.

View attachment 110657

They are horrible.
I went on a dartline rail replacement coach a few years ago and it is why I hate dartline.

 

[M803UYA]

They are horrible.
I went on a dartline rail replacement coach a few years ago and it is why I hate dartline.

Such vehicles are completely unsuitable for that type of work. I don't consider them suitable for school work either - too many people in a box with little to no means of exit in the event of an emergency.