Priority seats on buses

[Commander]

Everyone I know is bored of me ranting at them about this, so I thought I'd rant at you lot.

Why is it, on buses, in London anyway, that the two or three 'priority seats' for elderly people (assuming wheelchair users go in the designated wheelchair / buggy space) have much more leg room than the rest of the seats on the bus?

I am 6" 3 and am always ridiculously squashed on buses. How many 6" 3 elderly people do you know? Why do they need a bigger seat? They should have a smaller seat and the space saved could be used to make the rest of the seats on the bus have a bit more leg room.



I am thinking of taking an elderly passenger hostage today and contacting the bus company with my demands.

Although there probably wont be any buses today because there is 2cm of snow outside.



It makes me furious.

 

[upthealbion1970]

It's a little more difficult for the elderly to manoeuvre into position, plus with walking aids etc they need more space. I can see why people would get bored of being ranted at about this

 

[BensGrandad]

Arent London Buses like Countryliner etc and say Elderly or Disabled in which case some disabled need the extra room plus elderly people are not as agile as a young 6ft 3in man. My moan about is when ordinary non disabled or elderly sit in the seats and do not immediately give it up if somebody in the appropriate category get on the bus. By all mean sit in them if not needed but give them up when they are.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

As someone who was actually involved in drawing up the specification for all UK buses built after 2001, I can answer this with some degree of certainty. The basic requirement for priority seats is to give enough space for people who have difficulties in bending their legs, and enough space for a guide dog. They also have to be close enough to the bus entrance to be convenient to get to.



These are the regulations:-

Priority seats

3.—(1) A regulated public service vehicle shall have not less than 4 seats designated by signs complying with sub-paragraph (3) as priority seats for use by disabled persons.

(2) Any priority seat fitted to a regulated public service vehicle and designated in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall comply with the following requirements—

(a)a priority seat shall not be a seat which is capable of being tipped, folded or otherwise moved;.

(b)a priority seat shall face only the front or the rear of the vehicle;.

(c)a priority seat shall not be a seat to which the provisions of paragraphs 3(2) and (3) or 4(5) and (6) of Schedule 1 apply;.

(d)a priority seat shall be as close as practicable to a priority entrance;.

(e)there shall be adequate space under or adjacent to at least one priority seat for the comfortable accommodation of a dog trained to assist a disabled person;.

(f)any armrest fitted to a priority seat shall be moveable to the extent required to permit unrestricted access by a disabled person to that seat or to any other priority seat to which access may be gained past the seat;.

(g)a cushion of a priority seat shall have a width of not less than 440mm measured at the widest point across the surface of the cushion, such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position;.

(h)the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat shall be at a height of not less than 400mm and not more than 500mm above the floor of the vehicle measured from the front edge of the seat and along an imaginary line passing vertically from the centreline of the seating position to the floor;.

(i)where a priority seat faces the same direction as a seat situated directly in front of the priority seat—.
(i)the distance between the front surface of the back of the priority seat and the back surface of the back of the seat in front (measured along an imaginary horizontal line passing along the top surface of the cushion of the priority seat and through the centreline of the seating position of the priority seat) shall not be less than 650mm, and.
(ii)where the back of either seat is adjustable, this measurement shall be made with the seat or seats in the manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use;.

(j)where a priority seat faces any other seat—.
(i)the distance between the front surface of the back of the priority seat and the front surface of the back of the facing seat (measured along an imaginary horizontal line passing along the top surface of the cushion of the priority seat and through the centreline of the seating position of the priority seat) shall not be less than 1300mm, and.
(ii)where the back of either seat is adjustable, this measurement shall be made with the seat or seats in the manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use;.

(k)there shall be—.
(i)not less than 1300mm of clear space above any point along the front edge of the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat measured vertically from the top surface of the cushion,.
(ii)not less than 900mm of clear space above any point along the rear edge of the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat measured vertically from the top surface of the cushion, and.
(iii)clear space between any point on the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and an imaginary plane connecting the maximum height of clear space specified in (i) above to the maximum height of clear space specified in (ii) above; and.

(l)where a priority seat faces the same direction as a seat situated directly in front of the priority seat or if the priority seat faces a bulkhead or a partition, there shall be—.
(i)above an imaginary horizontal plane passing along the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and situated in front of the front edge of the cushion, a volume of clear space of not less than 230mm measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat, of not less than 420mm measured in the transverse plane of the priority seat (such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position) and of a height not less than the height of the back of the priority seat;.
(ii)below an imaginary horizontal plane passing along the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and situated in front of the front edge of the cushion, a volume of clear space of not less than 230mm measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat, of not less than 300mm measured in the transverse plane of the priority seat (such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position) and of a height not less than the height of the priority seat cushion, and.
(iii)where a priority seat is situated facing a bulkhead or a partition which is more than 1200mm in height measured vertically from the floor of the vehicle, the distances measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat referred to in (i) and (ii) above shall not be less than 300mm..

(3) There shall be a sign on or near a priority seat indicating that disabled persons have priority for the use of that seat.

(4) In sub-paragraph (2) the phrase “manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use” means the position of an adjustable seat which the manufacturer of the seat recommends, or has nominated, as being the normal position for using that seat.

 

[Commander]

As someone who was actually involved in drawing up the specification for all UK buses built after 2001, I can answer this with some degree of certainty. The basic requirement for priority seats is to give enough space for people who have difficulties in bending their legs, and enough space for a guide dog. They also have to be close enough to the bus entrance to be convenient to get to.



These are the regulations:-

Priority seats

3.—(1) A regulated public service vehicle shall have not less than 4 seats designated by signs complying with sub-paragraph (3) as priority seats for use by disabled persons.

(2) Any priority seat fitted to a regulated public service vehicle and designated in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall comply with the following requirements—

(a)a priority seat shall not be a seat which is capable of being tipped, folded or otherwise moved;.

(b)a priority seat shall face only the front or the rear of the vehicle;.

(c)a priority seat shall not be a seat to which the provisions of paragraphs 3(2) and (3) or 4(5) and (6) of Schedule 1 apply;.

(d)a priority seat shall be as close as practicable to a priority entrance;.

(e)there shall be adequate space under or adjacent to at least one priority seat for the comfortable accommodation of a dog trained to assist a disabled person;.

(f)any armrest fitted to a priority seat shall be moveable to the extent required to permit unrestricted access by a disabled person to that seat or to any other priority seat to which access may be gained past the seat;.

(g)a cushion of a priority seat shall have a width of not less than 440mm measured at the widest point across the surface of the cushion, such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position;.

(h)the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat shall be at a height of not less than 400mm and not more than 500mm above the floor of the vehicle measured from the front edge of the seat and along an imaginary line passing vertically from the centreline of the seating position to the floor;.

(i)where a priority seat faces the same direction as a seat situated directly in front of the priority seat—.
(i)the distance between the front surface of the back of the priority seat and the back surface of the back of the seat in front (measured along an imaginary horizontal line passing along the top surface of the cushion of the priority seat and through the centreline of the seating position of the priority seat) shall not be less than 650mm, and.
(ii)where the back of either seat is adjustable, this measurement shall be made with the seat or seats in the manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use;.

(j)where a priority seat faces any other seat—.
(i)the distance between the front surface of the back of the priority seat and the front surface of the back of the facing seat (measured along an imaginary horizontal line passing along the top surface of the cushion of the priority seat and through the centreline of the seating position of the priority seat) shall not be less than 1300mm, and.
(ii)where the back of either seat is adjustable, this measurement shall be made with the seat or seats in the manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use;.

(k)there shall be—.
(i)not less than 1300mm of clear space above any point along the front edge of the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat measured vertically from the top surface of the cushion,.
(ii)not less than 900mm of clear space above any point along the rear edge of the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat measured vertically from the top surface of the cushion, and.
(iii)clear space between any point on the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and an imaginary plane connecting the maximum height of clear space specified in (i) above to the maximum height of clear space specified in (ii) above; and.

(l)where a priority seat faces the same direction as a seat situated directly in front of the priority seat or if the priority seat faces a bulkhead or a partition, there shall be—.
(i)above an imaginary horizontal plane passing along the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and situated in front of the front edge of the cushion, a volume of clear space of not less than 230mm measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat, of not less than 420mm measured in the transverse plane of the priority seat (such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position) and of a height not less than the height of the back of the priority seat;.
(ii)below an imaginary horizontal plane passing along the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and situated in front of the front edge of the cushion, a volume of clear space of not less than 230mm measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat, of not less than 300mm measured in the transverse plane of the priority seat (such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position) and of a height not less than the height of the priority seat cushion, and.
(iii)where a priority seat is situated facing a bulkhead or a partition which is more than 1200mm in height measured vertically from the floor of the vehicle, the distances measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat referred to in (i) and (ii) above shall not be less than 300mm..

(3) There shall be a sign on or near a priority seat indicating that disabled persons have priority for the use of that seat.

(4) In sub-paragraph (2) the phrase “manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use” means the position of an adjustable seat which the manufacturer of the seat recommends, or has nominated, as being the normal position for using that seat.

Noone likes a smart-arse.

 

[BensGrandad]

Noone likes a smart-arse.

Especially when they dont support your argument.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Noone likes a smart-arse.

To be fair, it was a pretty good answer to a spurious rant .... and if that is all you have to worry about then life must be pretty sweet for you otherwise.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Noone likes a smart-arse.

Pyongyang.

 

[Chicken Runner61]

Why are there so many cars parked inside the Conway Street Bus Garage?

Do they not use the service they expect the public to?

I would have thought the best way to run a decent efficient bus service was to ensure the staff use it?

 

[BensGrandad]

How do the early buses get a driver to work to drive those buses..................................................in their own cars

 

[hart's shirt]

What about the seats on the lower level by the staircase that have historically provided the best views?

I've always been surprised that there's never been a surcharge for those.

 

[Commander]

Especially when they dont support your argument.

It wasn't an argument, it was a rant.

To be fair, it was a pretty good answer to a spurious rant .... and if that is all you have to worry about then life must be pretty sweet for you otherwise.

Probably, I read the first line and didn't bother with the rest as I assumed it was right.

I wasn't really looking for a sensible debate on the subject, more just an outlook to moan about being squashed on buses while little old people sit there with their legs stretched out. There should be priority seats for tall people. I would even be happy to walk all the way to the back of the bus for them, if necessary.

And this is by no means the only thing I have to worry about, it is just something that has been bothering me for some time, and now I've got it out in the open I feel better for it.

 

[herecomesaregular]

As someone who was actually involved in drawing up the specification for all UK buses built after 2001, I can answer this with some degree of certainty.


.

i love nsc sometimes, it cracks me up what info we get on here.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Bloody kids today, no respect for their elders.

I blame the parents.

 

[Commander]

Bloody kids today, no respect for their elders.

I blame the parents.

Shut it you old fool

 

[Jimbo.GRFC]

As someone who was actually involved in drawing up the specification for all UK buses built after 2001, I can answer this with some degree of certainty. The basic requirement for priority seats is to give enough space for people who have difficulties in bending their legs, and enough space for a guide dog. They also have to be close enough to the bus entrance to be convenient to get to.



These are the regulations:-

Priority seats

3.—(1) A regulated public service vehicle shall have not less than 4 seats designated by signs complying with sub-paragraph (3) as priority seats for use by disabled persons.

(2) Any priority seat fitted to a regulated public service vehicle and designated in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall comply with the following requirements—

(a)a priority seat shall not be a seat which is capable of being tipped, folded or otherwise moved;.

(b)a priority seat shall face only the front or the rear of the vehicle;.

(c)a priority seat shall not be a seat to which the provisions of paragraphs 3(2) and (3) or 4(5) and (6) of Schedule 1 apply;.

(d)a priority seat shall be as close as practicable to a priority entrance;.

(e)there shall be adequate space under or adjacent to at least one priority seat for the comfortable accommodation of a dog trained to assist a disabled person;.

(f)any armrest fitted to a priority seat shall be moveable to the extent required to permit unrestricted access by a disabled person to that seat or to any other priority seat to which access may be gained past the seat;.

(g)a cushion of a priority seat shall have a width of not less than 440mm measured at the widest point across the surface of the cushion, such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position;.

(h)the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat shall be at a height of not less than 400mm and not more than 500mm above the floor of the vehicle measured from the front edge of the seat and along an imaginary line passing vertically from the centreline of the seating position to the floor;.

(i)where a priority seat faces the same direction as a seat situated directly in front of the priority seat—.
(i)the distance between the front surface of the back of the priority seat and the back surface of the back of the seat in front (measured along an imaginary horizontal line passing along the top surface of the cushion of the priority seat and through the centreline of the seating position of the priority seat) shall not be less than 650mm, and.
(ii)where the back of either seat is adjustable, this measurement shall be made with the seat or seats in the manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use;.

(j)where a priority seat faces any other seat—.
(i)the distance between the front surface of the back of the priority seat and the front surface of the back of the facing seat (measured along an imaginary horizontal line passing along the top surface of the cushion of the priority seat and through the centreline of the seating position of the priority seat) shall not be less than 1300mm, and.
(ii)where the back of either seat is adjustable, this measurement shall be made with the seat or seats in the manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use;.

(k)there shall be—.
(i)not less than 1300mm of clear space above any point along the front edge of the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat measured vertically from the top surface of the cushion,.
(ii)not less than 900mm of clear space above any point along the rear edge of the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat measured vertically from the top surface of the cushion, and.
(iii)clear space between any point on the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and an imaginary plane connecting the maximum height of clear space specified in (i) above to the maximum height of clear space specified in (ii) above; and.

(l)where a priority seat faces the same direction as a seat situated directly in front of the priority seat or if the priority seat faces a bulkhead or a partition, there shall be—.
(i)above an imaginary horizontal plane passing along the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and situated in front of the front edge of the cushion, a volume of clear space of not less than 230mm measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat, of not less than 420mm measured in the transverse plane of the priority seat (such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position) and of a height not less than the height of the back of the priority seat;.
(ii)below an imaginary horizontal plane passing along the top surface of a cushion of a priority seat and situated in front of the front edge of the cushion, a volume of clear space of not less than 230mm measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat, of not less than 300mm measured in the transverse plane of the priority seat (such distance being equally spaced either side of the centreline of the seating position) and of a height not less than the height of the priority seat cushion, and.
(iii)where a priority seat is situated facing a bulkhead or a partition which is more than 1200mm in height measured vertically from the floor of the vehicle, the distances measured in the longitudinal plane of the priority seat referred to in (i) and (ii) above shall not be less than 300mm..

(3) There shall be a sign on or near a priority seat indicating that disabled persons have priority for the use of that seat.

(4) In sub-paragraph (2) the phrase “manufacturer’s nominal position for normal use” means the position of an adjustable seat which the manufacturer of the seat recommends, or has nominated, as being the normal position for using that seat.

Why not just get them a mini bus...........I'm sorry...but after that lecture I thought lighten up time. I once tried to give my seat to an elderly gent one time and I got daggers

 

[BensGrandad]

When I wasa young child I was always told by my parents to give my seat for which I had only paid a half fare up if anadult full fare paying person was standing but that doesnt happen now. A changing society or just the same standard of manners not taught I am not sure.

 

[hart's shirt]

When I wasa young child I was always told by my parents to give my seat for which I had only paid a half fare up if anadult full fare paying person was standing but that doesnt happen now.

More's the pity. As a responsible adult, I'd ask any young child of mine to stand up in order to let a lady sit down.

And especially if the child was sitting in my lap at the time.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

Noone likes a smart-arse.

So he's bound to sign for us then!

 

[BlythMeister]

Noone likes a smart-arse.

But he still don't wanna see the Brighton fans

EDIT: Should read the entire threat first!