Replacement bus - should TOCs keep empty seats next to 1ST passengers?

[87015]

Because bikes are not really compatible with carriage on non-empty buses?

If a driver turned a bike away when the wheelchair/bike bay was empty without other good reason for us they wouldn't be driving our RRS again. Internal CCTV is a wonderful thing to require of bus providers, microphones even better.

Whilst publically we have to say 'no bikes' or other TOCs get upset, policy is to take them unless absolutely not possible (ie a wheelchair in the bay)

 

[LowLevel]

Our policy is that it's up to the bus driver in much the same way as it's up to the guard on the trains. I can refuse pretty much anything other than a person for pretty much any reason I like - the conditions of carriage have a coverall that if in the view of an authorised person (the bus driver) an item is too large, would cause delay, there is no room etc it can be refused even if it meets the other requirements. Holding the bus driver to account for this seems unreasonable to me as they are personally responsible for the operation of the vehicle.

 

[quarella]

If a driver turned a bike away when the wheelchair/bike bay was empty without other good reason for us they wouldn't be driving our RRS again. Internal CCTV is a wonderful thing to require of bus providers, microphones even better.

Whilst publically we have to say 'no bikes' or other TOCs get upset, policy is to take them unless absolutely not possible (ie a wheelchair in the bay)

It's been some years since I drove a coach but if still driving I would carry a bike in the boot or lockers underneath a coach but I would not have an unsecured cycle on board a bus in the wheelchair bay. I am responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. It is my licence and livelihood at risk. It is my employers Operator's licence at risk. That is a good enough reason.

 

[PermitToTravel]

If a driver turned a bike away when the wheelchair/bike bay was empty without other good reason for us they wouldn't be driving our RRS again. Internal CCTV is a wonderful thing to require of bus providers, microphones even better.

Whilst publically we have to say 'no bikes' or other TOCs get upset, policy is to take them unless absolutely not possible (ie a wheelchair in the bay)

I'm very surprised and impressed!

 

[DelayRepay]

There is a problem with putting a bike in the wheelchair space... what if a wheelchair user wants to join the coach at the next station? Would you make them wait (or get them a taxi) or kick the bike owner off?

It is a difficult situation though - I can see how someone with a bike could find themselves left in a difficult position if their train was replaced by a bus due to disruption and they weren't allowed to travel. Even more frustrating if they'd reserved a space for their bike on the train.

 

[LowLevel]

Not to mention that it is unlikely the wheelchair space has been assessed for safe use by cycles which will probably not be secured and could prove dangerous in the event of an accident, not to mention the previously alluded to issue when someone entitled to the space turns up and you have to chuck the cyclist off someone that is neither their origin or destination.

As someone who has looked after replacement buses before I'd vigorously defend any driver should action be taken against them for refusing a cycle or other item restricted on buses. If the operator wants them carrying they should pay to specify appropriate vehicles.

 

[fowler9]

I'd have a fleet of buses ready with the equivalent of Cama and Semi Cama class. It would be a slower but probably nicer experience than most trains people travel on if there is no other option. This is as long as I don't have to pay for it. Ha ha.

 

[RJ]

I'm learning new things from this thread. Never knew there was such a thing as a bus with 3+2 seats, or that there are buses with bike bays. I only ever drive London spec buses or retired ex London step entrance buses on rail replacements. Neither of which is safe to carry cycles as there is no mechanism to secure them.

 

[Antman]

I'm very surprised and impressed!

So am I, the customer being put first, whatever next???

I have seen bikes being conveyed before on RRB's without a problem, just needs a bit of common sense

 

[RJ]

If a driver turned a bike away when the wheelchair/bike bay was empty without other good reason for us they wouldn't be driving our RRS again. Internal CCTV is a wonderful thing to require of bus providers, microphones even better.

Whilst publically we have to say 'no bikes' or other TOCs get upset, policy is to take them unless absolutely not possible (ie a wheelchair in the bay)

Different area, different rules. The instructions issued by some TOCs say cycles must not be carried. I've seen people wanting a replacement bus having to make use of cycle parking facilities at the request of supervising TOC staff. Trains have dedicated areas for cycles, as well as clips or some mechanism for securing the bike. National Rail has a clear stance on the matter - I'm sure it's not just for the purpose of inconveniencing cyclists either.

Unsecured, the bike can end up damaged, rolling out of place or injuring passengers. I'd never carry a cycle on a bus if it blocked the gangway or any of the exits, or there was any risk of it moving and doing so once on the move. Safety comes first. People are welcome to detach the wheels and stow in a safe place however.

Out of interest, which buses have a bay acting as a shared space for cycles and wheelchairs? I don't know much about PSVs outside of London's service buses but as I say, I'm learning new things in this thread.

 

[muz379]

The time I took my bike on an emergency bustitution the driver put it in the luggage bay below the seating on the coach . He said to me before he fitted it in that it might get scratched under there or banged about . It was a cheap bike covered in loads of scratches already so I was okay with that . He had some bungee cords under there that he used to secure it as best as he could .

Id never expect to see a bike in the passenger compartment on a coach given that large items of unsecured luggage are not allowed on there .

and given the choice between my bike and other luggage I would fully have expected to have been left behind had the RRB I traveled on with my bike been any busier

 

[quarella]

I'm learning new things from this thread. Never knew there was such a thing as a bus with 3+2 seats, or that there are buses with bike bays. I only ever drive London spec buses or retired ex London step entrance buses on rail replacements. Neither of which is safe to carry cycles as there is no mechanism to secure them.

3+2 seating on coaches predominantly used on school work became prevalent for a couple of reasons. The 3 to a seat rule for children up to a certain age was abolished. In some areas local authorities banned the use of double deckers on their contracted (school) work but didn't want to pay for an extra vehicle. At the time it was still 12m maximum vehicle length so 70 seats were put in. If my sums are correct it would apply to one extra row, a bench cushion which would be tight for 3 adults and a narrower gangway. Legroom can vary considerably from seat to seat dependin how much effort was made in the conversion.

 

[radamfi]

I'm learning new things from this thread. Never knew there was such a thing as a bus with 3+2 seats.

The only company I've seen using these on rail replacements are the 55-reg yellow coaches run by Coaches Etc., intended solely for school use. Given they are obviously normally only used on weekdays, I can see why it might be tempting to send them out at the weekend on rail replacement. I'd like to think no one else does this.

In Northern Ireland, Ulsterbus have modern Wright bodied single decks with 2+3 seating in the back of the bus used on regular services.

 

[GarethJohn]

The best RRB journey I ever had was years ago, at night. I can't remember where I was travelling, but I was the only passenger on the coach. The driver asked whether I wanted the radio on and dropped me right outside my front door

Same here. I've had Drivers ignore the final Station and drop me off on the way to the depot which is far closer to my house. They do this with the service Bus as well sometimes
There is nothing worse than passing your House and having to go to the Station and walk home in the Rain. As the Trains are stopped it usually means all the Taxi's are also booked up to.