SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Sorry this is not just Leeds but the worst example of it did happen to me in Leeds. Just when did bus drivers stop observing a maximum number of people standing [or 'standees'] when the bus is full?It's years since a bus has passed me without stopping because it's full [I'm not complaining!], but I've been on some where I've felt unsafe because of the sheer numbers of people crammed on. And it's years since I've seen a driver have a count-up and refuse anyone boarding.

Geordie-exile wrote: Sorry this is not just Leeds but the worst example of it did happen to me in Leeds. Just when did bus drivers stop observing a maximum number of people standing [or 'standees'] when the bus is full?It's years since a bus has passed me without stopping because it's full [I'm not complaining!], but I've been on some where I've felt unsafe because of the sheer numbers of people crammed on. And it's years since I've seen a driver have a count-up and refuse anyone boarding. more surprising these days when the no win-no fee brigade are sure to jump in and sight a negligence as a cause contributing to any injury sustained whilst travelling.The maximum capacities for both standing and seated passenger numbers used to be displayed on buses didn't they?

Yes indeed. It was always displayed quite prominently, and I'm sure the insurance will still stipulate a maximum. Oh, and while I'm on, I might as well have a rant about people who stand and block the entrance rather than moving down the aisle. Thickos.

Tried to get on the train at Burley Park the other day. The guard refused entry cos the train was full but we could try to get the next one.

Buses still carry signs stating how many seated and standing passengers they can carry. I was reading this on a number 7 the other day. It even stated how many fewer can stand when a wheelchair-bound passenger is on board.Not only is it annoying when people stand at the front of the bus, and thus block the narrowest part of the gangway, but it also now seems to be an acceptable practice. There was a time when buses would not move off without standing passengers being asked to move down the bus, but it now appears they can all stand at the front of the bus without a problem.

Geordie-exile wrote: Yes indeed. It was always displayed quite prominently, and I'm sure the insurance will still stipulate a maximum. Oh, and while I'm on, I might as well have a rant about people who stand and block the entrance rather than moving down the aisle. Thickos. Often when that happens there is room to the rear and usually obvious yet people rarely move back. I sometimes feel like shouting out that there are seats to the back. Of things that irritate me one is the increasing trend to sit at the side of the aisle and so take up two seats. I hope that some extrovert person who does not mind making a scene asks or tells them to move across or even better simply climbs over them to take the seat at the window side, but that never happens. Also the placing of rucksacks or similar things on a seat and so again taking up two seats as people rarely ask if they will move it so they can sit down. Rant over.     

Oh, I deliberately ask them to shove up if they're doing that. Shy bairns get nowt, as they say round here.

When did anyone ever "remain seated until the the bus has stopped".

'angins too good for 'em!

Having retired ten years ago at the age of sixty five I think I can now safely make one or two factual comments about the sad shambles which is is now bus travel today. The main thing is that, in the particular circumstances of this industry, "the customer is NOT always right." The successful operation of a bus journey involves many things - sensible scheduling and vehicle specification from the operator and co-operation (and decent behaviour) from the passengers being prominet among the main ones - sadly all are largely lacking today. The industry is strangled by ludicrous and expensive "marketing" which has made consultants and paint and vynil manufacturers very rich indeed - the money spent by seriously misguided operators being needed far more for practical benefits.Just to deal briefly with "marketing" - buses are supposed to be instantly identifiable from an operator's dignified livery, their routes adequately identified on the destination indicators, and once on board the idea is to see out of the windows - not struggle past the reversed images of Operator advertising all over the glass, and even worse commercial "all over" schemes which may well bring in revenue, but which the Licensing Authorities should rigidly prohibit as one doesn't expect to board a furniture removal van for a bus journey while realistically being almost unable to see out at all !!Now we come to some of the crunch issues which render efficient and comfortable journeying quite impossible. Firstly the ridiculous design of modern double deckers in particular. Single doorway leading to narrow gangway and badly placed staircase - this made worse by the arrogant abuse of the two buggy area - I say abuse because many of these "vehicles" are no longer pushchairs but are oversized and loaded with enough goods for a fortnight's holiday - they dangerously obstruct the already inadequate gangway and access to and from the stairs. As others have mentioned the stubborn habit of people standing in this area so that no-one can move anywhere is just the last straw.Then there are the latecoming passengers who have really already missed a late running bus - no money or passes ready and no intention of "looking lively", and likely to spend longer on the transaction than if they were buying a Rolls Royce in a showroom.I'm usually open to healthy discussion on all aspects of bus operation, but my one hobby horse where I freely admit that I won't give an inch - separate centre exits are vital, indispensible and essential to any hope of smooth and punctual operation. All the dramatic hype about danger and accidents is completely magnified out of all proportion. Many realistic operators, some in the UK and almost universally in Europe, see this and even medium sized single deckers can sport two or three doorways.Before "belting up" on the subject (I could write the proverbial book) in general I must just stress how worried I am about the total lack of effective emergency exit provision on modern vehicles, double deckers in particular. With one front doorway, and an offside emergency exit at the rear - this inadeqaute "slit" being narrowed in its bottom half by the hard armrest of the back seat - any front collision blocking the door, or an engine compartment fire (not unknown nowadays) would result in panic and almost ninety persons trapped - or if the bus had overturned onto its offside it doesn't bear thinkng about. I have been known to fight my way, early, off crowded buses (56 route in particular) when drivers have foolishly allowed twenty odd to stand downstairs and maybe more up aloft. As other members have said, the capacity of the vehicle must be displayed in detail.I hope these observations are not seen as a deranged rant - they are very serious concerns that I have - bring back the Leeds City Transport standard classic double deck OMO/OPO design - 78 seats, 45 upstairs, 33 downstairs, two doorways and no standing.Other operators had their own similar creditable designs - they functioned like clockwork - and I well remember that when the first WYPTE single doorway Atlanteans arrived (the 6***s to those who know) an agreement was reached with the TGWU that these would not be used on the busy 44 route (Halton Moor to Stanningley) as timekeeping with them was recognised even then in 1974 as impossible - I rest my case Mi Lud.