Front view seats

[yorkie]

If I travel by bus (or any other form of road transport) I like to see where I'm going and have a front view seat if possible (preferably on the upper deck).

But from another thread, this was posted...

Just out of interest, is there any reason why multiple units no longer have a glass/see-through back to the cab as first generation heritage DMUs had, allowing the passengers to look out of the front? ...

...to which a response included this...

....would you like to also witness a fatality?

Now, obviously the chances of a fatality (or near miss) on roads is much greater than that on the railway.

On many bus journeys I've made, I can recall seeing a 'near miss' where someone ran out in front of the bus, or was just about to, and was held back. Most of my bus journeys are in West Yorkshire or London, and the latter is where I see most near misses.

So, are you put off front seats by any potential incidents that may occur in the road ahead?

Or are you happy to have a front view seat to see the road ahead, and accept that at times there may be something distressing happening in the road in front?

I say the latter. That certainly doesn't mean I "like" to see an incident, but that's just a by-product of real life.

 

[richw]

I always try and get the front seat upstairs on a double decker. Single decker I always try and sit by the emergency exit as that seat has more leg room.

 

[Zoidberg]

If I travel by bus (or any other form of road transport) I like to see where I'm going and have a front view seat if possible (preferably on the upper deck).

...

Or are you happy to have a front view seat to see the road ahead, and accept that at times there may be something distressing happening in the road in front?

I say the latter. That certainly doesn't mean I "like" to see an incident, but that's just a by-product of real life.

Yes, I like, prefer, to see the road ahead. I like watching the traffic (odd, perhaps). And on a route I'm not so familiar with I like to see the stop I need coming up.

I really enjoy getting the upstairs front seats on a double decker, great view. But not so keen upstairs on a single decker. Too exposed!

 

[90019]

Now, obviously the chances of a fatality (or near miss) on roads is much greater than that on the railway.

To be fair, buses are generally travelling quite a bit bit slower than trains, can stop much quicker and can take evasive action to avoid an incident if need be.




I usually sit up the front, though that's more out of necessity than anything else.

 

[extendedpaul]

Megabus could charge a few quid extra for the front seats on their double deck coaches.

First to board take those seats almost every time and when I have bagged one somebody often sits next to me even when there are double seats still free.

 

[notadriver]

Many coach drivers put bags on the front seats to stop people sitting there. I suppose some don't like the idea of being watched either.

The other difference not mentioned is that due to the much higher speeds trains are likely to hit and kill animals - foxes, birds and the like which doesn't happen as often on the road where pcvs are governed to a strict 62 mph.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There is, however, a very high chance of observing an incident involving a vehicle other than the bus / coach you are on.

On a simple 5 - 10 minute walk to / from work each day I see three or four traffic offences, at least half of which result in extremely near misses.

Simple statistics alone suggest that it is highly likely that sooner or later something major will happen within view. When moving along by road rather than by foot logic suggests that the chances of that happening are rather higher simply because you will be observing more locations with conflicting moving traffic than just by walking past..

 

[pompeyfan]

An example that springs to mind is the First enviro that was directly behind the dumper/tipper truck tragedy in bath/Bristol not so long ago (on a side note was it ever made official why the incident happened?)

In regards to seats at the front, Volvo B7rles (amongst others) have a forward facing seat on the nesrside, I refused to let children sit there on their own as they cannot support their own weight and have been know to go flying in to the giant pane of thick glass.

 

[johntea]

It's a perspective thing but I always worry sat at the front that the bus is going to crash into some parked cars or a car in the opposite lane when swinging round a corner!

London is a whole different kettle of fish though, the drivers there more than earn their pay!

 

[Strathclyder]

Whenever a decker appears on my local route (not nearly as common as it used to be), I make a point to try to sit at the front of the top deck, preferably on the nearside of the bus.
Accidents can and will happen. They're a fact of life*. You're bound to witness one at some point, regardless of what kind of vehicle you're travelling in.

*: Speaking of accidents/near-misses, I was nearly killed by a bus speeding through a red light at a pedestrian crossing back in the winter of 2007 (or 2008. Can't remember when exactly). If it weren't for my mum pulling me back onto the pavement at the last possible second, instant death or gravely serious injuries/coma would have been the end result. I still have the occasional nightmare thanks to this incident...

 

[Martin1988]

Megabus could charge a few quid extra for the front seats on their double deck coaches.

First to board take those seats almost every time and when I have bagged one somebody often sits next to me even when there are double seats still free.

I very rarely manage to get those front seats when catching a Megabus out of Bristol as the services I've caught have all had passengers already on board prior to Bristol.

However I did manage to get them on one trip between Bristol and London and I also managed to get them last year on a trip between Bristol and Leeds on one of the plaxton interdeck coaches. I was also extremely lucky on that journey that I didn't have to sit next to another passenger despite the service being heavily loaded.

On the Scottish National Express routes(the 336 and 532) the drivers often make at least 2 of the front seats unavailable and use them as crew seats but most of the journeys I've done on the 532 its been the case for all four. I can see why it was needed when they had the older tri-axle levantes which lacked crew seats but am not sure what to think of it being done now they've got the newer vehicles. On some journeys they have been made available for passengers to sit in but it seems to be pretty much done at the driver's discretion.

 

[fgwrich]

An example that springs to mind is the First enviro that was directly behind the dumper/tipper truck tragedy in bath/Bristol not so long ago (on a side note was it ever made official why the incident happened?)

In regards to seats at the front, Volvo B7rles (amongst others) have a forward facing seat on the nesrside, I refused to let children sit there on their own as they cannot support their own weight and have been know to go flying in to the giant pane of thick glass.

I think I just about know the layout your talking about - incidentally, First Kernows batch of E400s have a double seat just behind the door with a big pane of glass too, and a single seat tucked just behind the driver / under the staircases. I decided to sit on the one over the wheel arch on the left hand side from Penryn into Falmouth - it's a very weird experience, but it gives you the perspective of how tight some of the roads and how close you can be at times to objects, really is.

 

[Martin1988]

I sat in the front forward facing seat on one of the ex Glasgow B10s on a 46 journey back to Yate earlier in the week. There was a notice stating "This seat is not suitable for children"

 

[Antman]

If I travel by bus (or any other form of road transport) I like to see where I'm going and have a front view seat if possible (preferably on the upper deck).

But from another thread, this was posted...

...to which a response included this...

Now, obviously the chances of a fatality (or near miss) on roads is much greater than that on the railway.

On many bus journeys I've made, I can recall seeing a 'near miss' where someone ran out in front of the bus, or was just about to, and was held back. Most of my bus journeys are in West Yorkshire or London, and the latter is where I see most near misses.

So, are you put off front seats by any potential incidents that may occur in the road ahead?

Or are you happy to have a front view seat to see the road ahead, and accept that at times there may be something distressing happening in the road in front?

I say the latter. That certainly doesn't mean I "like" to see an incident, but that's just a by-product of real life.

I will usually try and get the front seat if I am trying out a new route or one that is particularly scenic, if it's a route that I use regularly then I wouldn't normally bother.

Quite honestly the comment about witnessing a fatality is ludicrous!
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I very rarely manage to get those front seats when catching a Megabus out of Bristol as the services I've caught have all had passengers already on board prior to Bristol.

However I did manage to get them on one trip between Bristol and London and I also managed to get them last year on a trip between Bristol and Leeds on one of the plaxton interdeck coaches. I was also extremely lucky on that journey that I didn't have to sit next to another passenger despite the service being heavily loaded.

On the Scottish National Express routes(the 336 and 532) the drivers often make at least 2 of the front seats unavailable and use them as crew seats but most of the journeys I've done on the 532 its been the case for all four. I can see why it was needed when they had the older tri-axle levantes which lacked crew seats but am not sure what to think of it being done now they've got the newer vehicles. On some journeys they have been made available for passengers to sit in but it seems to be pretty much done at the driver's discretion.

I think drivers on National Express just do that because they don't want passengers sat right behind them and possibly distracting them whilst driving although perhaps they should ask themselves whether coach driving is really the job for them? I don't know what company rules there are on this?

 

[notadriver]

Witnessing a fatality ludicrous ? I don't understand.

 

[yorkie]

Witnessing a fatality ludicrous ? I don't understand.

Look closely at the quotes to avoid getting them out of context.

I believe what Antman was calling "ludicrous" was the suggestion that people who want front seats would "like" to witness an incident.

There is, of course, a risk of witnessing someone being (or nearly being) killed or injured on the road, or rails, in front of you. I've seen several near misses by bus or tram, that doesn't mean I "like" to see them.

 

[Antman]

Look closely at the quotes to avoid getting them out of context.

I believe what Antman was calling "ludicrous" was the suggestion that people who want front seats would "like" to witness an incident.

There is, of course, a risk of witnessing someone being (or nearly being) killed or injured on the road, or rails, in front of you. I've seen several near misses by bus or tram, that doesn't mean I "like" to see them.

Yes that was indeed what I meant but I really cannot understand why the issue of fatalities has been bought into this thread. It's a bit like saying we shouldn't allow front seat passengers in cars in case they witness a nasty RTA.

 

[notadriver]

So I'm still confused - is this thread about front view seats on buses and coaches or making a comparison with rail ?

 

[Zoidberg]

So I'm still confused - is this thread about front view seats on buses and coaches or making a comparison with rail ?

Well, I took it to be about "who likes to get into the best position to able to see the road ahead and the views" when travelling by bus or coach.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I sat in the front forward facing seat on one of the ex Glasgow B10s on a 46 journey back to Yate earlier in the week. There was a notice stating "This seat is not suitable for children"

You see those signs on the Stagecoach E400s and the ALX300s too. I think I just about understand why- there's nowhere for an adult to sit with them- but it is a shame as kids love those seats.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Would say it's a case of odds and I reckon the odds would be greater witnessing a fatality from the roadside or platform than actually on a vehicle. In 15 years in cabs on trains I witnessed zero fatalities while from the platform I saw three. In a cab or top deck of a bus at most maybe four people would witness an incident but many more have the potential to see from the road or a platform.

 

[quarella]

I think drivers on National Express just do that because they don't want passengers sat right behind them and possibly distracting them whilst driving although perhaps they should ask themselves whether coach driving is really the job for them? I don't know what company rules there are on this?

The driver is in charge of the coach and seats are not reservable. Minor distractions can be annoying such as the passenger who wants to discuss the merits of the BXXXXX over the AXXXX for the full duration of their journey. But if you can think of something stupid for a passenger to do in that seat they will have done it. Playing catch. Tapping the driver on the shoulder to ask an inane question just as you are concentrating on joining on roundabout. A polite request to "Not disturb the driver whilst the vehicle is in motion without good cause" results in a letter about the rude driver and poor customer service. That is before we get to trial by Twitter.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Would it perhaps not make sense to fit a plexiglass screen behind the driver to prevent any "tapping on the shoulder"?

 

[notadriver]

I drove a coach yesterday. I quite like that company of someone sitting in the front seats but chances are they might be a bit odd.

I don't mind the odd distraction while driving a road vehicle. It's expected as part of the job.

 

[extendedpaul]

I take the front door-side downstairs seat on National Express and on a single deck Megabus if I can get it.

My take is that I never speak to the driver unless they speak to me. There was a National Express driver on a journey to Gloucester last year who chatted almost the whole way mainly about his (much younger) girlfriend.

The driver usually first speaks when they have to brake sharply for some reason or they see something unusual and a response more than a nod or a tut can lead to conversation.

I don't think I'm odd.

 

[Antman]

The driver is in charge of the coach and seats are not reservable. Minor distractions can be annoying such as the passenger who wants to discuss the merits of the BXXXXX over the AXXXX for the full duration of their journey. But if you can think of something stupid for a passenger to do in that seat they will have done it. Playing catch. Tapping the driver on the shoulder to ask an inane question just as you are concentrating on joining on roundabout. A polite request to "Not disturb the driver whilst the vehicle is in motion without good cause" results in a letter about the rude driver and poor customer service. That is before we get to trial by Twitter.

Quite honestly I think drivers who are that bothered about passengers need to ask themselves whether they are in the right job.

I did several years on the buses and passengers are just something you have to deal with, even though the job would be a lot easier without them! Like others have said often having a bit of dialogue with passengers makes the job more enjoyable.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Quite honestly I think drivers who are that bothered about passengers need to ask themselves whether they are in the right job.

I did several years on the buses and passengers are just something you have to deal with, even though the job would be a lot easier without them

Of course any coach driver who *really* wants rid of the passengers might do well to retrain as a lorry driver - same thing, non-talking freight

 

[Antman]

Of course any coach driver who *really* wants rid of the passengers might do well to retrain as a lorry driver - same thing, non-talking freight

My point exactly

 

[notadriver]

Of course any coach driver who *really* wants rid of the passengers might do well to retrain as a lorry driver - same thing, non-talking freight

But they would have to fork out £2k of their own money whereas they probably got their pcv licence for free.
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Quite honestly I think drivers who are that bothered about passengers need to ask themselves whether they are in the right job.



I did several years on the buses and passengers are just something you have to deal with, even though the job would be a lot easier without them! Like others have said often having a bit of dialogue with passengers makes the job more enjoyable.

What do you do now then?

 

[Martin1988]

I've been on a number of National Express journeys where I've ended up having a chat to the driver. A good number of these instances have been when they've twigged that I'm interested in buses/coaches after they've seen me taking a photo of the vehicle either before setting off on the journey or at an intermediate stop during the journey.

A few months ago when on a Megabus journey back from London the driver ended up being someone that I know and who is a Facebook friend. However despite this he asked me if I'd sit at the back of the coach. I think the reason being was he'd had a bit of a stressful journey into London and he wasn't in the best of moods.