Training vehicles

[THarris123]

Here's a good one...

Why do the big companies use single decks for training and not deckers?

 

[the101]

It wouldn't be too smart to train someone a vehicle that is 10m long and then throw them in at the deep end on a 12m, is probably one of the most significant reasons.

 

[THarris123]

It wouldn't be too smart to train someone a vehicle that is 10m long and then throw them in at the deep end on a 12m, is probably one of the most significant reasons.

Well I was just thinking on 376. The trees along Wells Road in Knowle seem to get closer into the road the higher they are. In a single Decker you might not hit something that a decker might, so wouldn't it be appropriate to have them train on deckers as well?

 

[jammy36]

Well I was just thinking on 376. The trees along Wells Road in Knowle seem to get closer into the road the higher they are. In a single Decker you might not hit something that a decker might, so wouldn't it be appropriate to have them train on deckers as well?

You don't need to use a dedicated trainer for route learning.

 

[the101]

Well I was just thinking on 376. The trees along Wells Road in Knowle seem to get closer into the road the higher they are. In a single Decker you might not hit something that a decker might, so wouldn't it be appropriate to have them train on deckers as well?

Ok, I see where you're coming from. There are two types of training - to obtain a PCV licence and then to be familiarised with vehicles and routes. The former will be undertaken in a training bus while the latter by definition will not. First is very hot on vehicle and route familiarisation, so I am sure it's all taken into account.

 

[ECML180]

EYMS these days have a number of training deckers, as far as I know they learn to drive a bus on single deckers then after passing the test progress onto double deckers. I only received training on a single decker, then when it came to a double decker I found it similar enough that I was comfortable with it - although a bit of 'buddying' with a trainer would have helped me get used to the extra height for sure.

 

[507021]

My guess would be that in some areas double deckers are unsuitable for use as driver trainers due to low bridges, and generally double deckers have a higher resale value (obviously dependent on the vehicle's age) than single deckers.

 

[Busaholic]

In London training has been almost exclusively on double deckers for decades, up to and after privatisation, although some of the smaller companies mostly operating on the outskirts may use single deck trainers.

 

[Lrd]

If you can drive a single decker then you can drive a double decker. Same as you can learn in a little 10m dart and be able to drive a 15m double decker coach.

 

[Busaholic]

If you can drive a single decker then you can drive a double decker. Same as you can learn in a little 10m dart and be able to drive a 15m double decker coach.

Well, that's the theory.

 

[THarris123]

If you can drive a single decker then you can drive a double decker. Same as you can learn in a little 10m dart and be able to drive a 15m double decker coach.

Not too sure of that. Surely you have to be more aware of trees and bridges if using a decker.

 

[Qwerty133]

Not too sure of that. Surely you have to be more aware of trees and bridges if using a decker.

I think he means according to the law rather than in practice...

 

[Busaholic]

I think he means according to the law rather than in practice...

Maybe it should be like car driving test; pass on an automatic and you're only allowed to drive those. Pass on a singledecker and you're restricted until you take a supplementary test on a decker. Just a thought!

 

[THarris123]

Maybe it should be like car driving test; pass on an automatic and you're only allowed to drive those. Pass on a singledecker and you're restricted until you take a supplementary test on a decker. Just a thought!

Agree.

 

[quarella]

Maybe it should be like car driving test; pass on an automatic and you're only allowed to drive those. Pass on a singledecker and you're restricted until you take a supplementary test on a decker. Just a thought!

PSV Class 1 was for double deckers. Class 2 etc for varying lengths of single deckers (auto and manual versions). The introduction of PCV licences in 1992 did away with different licenses on height grounds. I think there were also changes made in the requirements of the vehicles used on tests.

 

[Johncleesefan]

I trained and passed my test in a standard sized coach. Then when I went on to learn routes they would be in the specific vehicle for the route. So deckers for the route with a mentor pointing out risks