Bus travel differs from coach travel. Coaches are meant to be more comfortable than buses in having high backed seats, but the legroom is very restricted. In Britain the double-decker bus remains a popular method of mass commuter transport. As horse drawn omnibuses, double-deckers first appeared in London in 1847 but they became almost universal there by the first years of the 20th century.
With the ending of the First World War a large number of ex-army trucks were unloaded onto the civilian market, and this in turn led to the motorised omnibus. The first double-deckers were draughty affairs; on the lower deck it was reasonably possible to keep warm, but the to floor was open to the sky. At least the passenger had only a limited distance to travel, but the bus driver had a long shift with little to protect him from the elements; in this respect he was in a similar situation to the first railway engine drivers, but at least they had the warmth of the firebox to counteract the worst of the winter weather.
Bus travel has become rather more acceptable from the human point of view. Over sixty years ago, when I was a lad, the driver had already been enclosed in a snug (if as yet unheated) cab, but the conductor (who still a part of the crew) had to stand on the rear platform that was still open to the eddying currnts of air drawn up by the passing bus. It must have been a bit chilly for the passengers sitting above the rear wheels too, but I never remember feeling cold as I made my way homewards after school.
The bus is still not a very relaxing mode of transport; the pile on the seating is certainly rather less attractive on a 2024 bus than it was on a 1954 model. The windows rather just much and the diesel engine is equally noisy. The engine itself may have migrated from the front to the back and likewise the point of entry, but these details do not affect my pleasure or otherwise. It is certainly more accessibleor the disabled. I liked the business of counting out my small change for te purchase of a ticket, but Imust admit that payment by card is simpler.
Double-decker buses have been favoured over articulated buses in the UK, although worldwide these articulated buses are entirely on one level. They offer more room for disabled passengers, luggage and pushchairs but they are longer. However it may be safer to operate a double-decker than an articulated bust through the narrow streets often experience in English cities and round tight corners they are preferable. This applies to the majority of UK double-deckers which are between 31 feet and 36 feet in length, although there are three axle models in service that are 39 feet long.
Double-deckers have been used in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, but not with the enthusiasm shown in this country. The same is true of many former British colonies, except Hong Kong where they are as popular as in London.
JOSEPH MASON
joemasonspage 