Volvo B7RLE Eclipse Urban 2 standing capacity

[Stu]

Whilst sat on an Urban 2 the other evening on the 37, I couldn't help but notice the sign at the front by the door stating the capacities.

It was something like, "43 seated, 52 standing", with obviously other permutations, depending on whether wheelchairs were onboard or not.

The one thing I've noticed with the B7RLE Urban 2s, is that while they're lovely buses to travel on, once they get a bit crowded, there seems to be a sparse lack of hand-rails to hold onto, especially in the standing/buggy area, once all the seats are taken.

I really can't see myself how these buses can safely carry 52 standing passengers, without making a very uncomfortable journey. How do they work these figures out, considering most people who choose to stand decide to stand next to the driver or in the gangway between the front wheels, making it difficult for passengers to get on and off as it is? Especially when a mum with a buggy tries to get on/off!

[PM]

You're right Stu. The numbers given are just how many people the chassis can take. I agree they should look into it as it isnt safe and seems ridiculous.

[richie]

The mcv b7 carries less think its 87 isn't it the same chassis?

[PM]

The mcv b7 carries less think its 87 isn't it the same chassis?

Thatll be due to different bodywork weight

[Ex BC driver]

There's also 61 standing. I think that's if the fold down seats aren't used. The most I had standing last week was 15, and that was all I was going to allow.

[Badger]

Ugh, the amount of times I couldn't get off at my stop due to 20 odd standing when I was at school was terrible. One time I even ended up back in town on the Pendeford circular. Inconsiderate passengers.

[Stu]

There's also 61 standing. I think that's if the fold down seats aren't used. The most I had standing last week was 15, and that was all I was going to allow.

And how often do you see people sitting down there folding up the seats and standing to make more room?  ::)

The worst situation I've seen is when someone has a buggy and tries to get off when there's too many people standing in the gangway.

Whats more frustrating is the times I've got on a crowded bus, struggled through the crowd of standees at the front, and found plenty of seats available.

[Lukeee]

One that bugs me is when you board a DD and there is a crowd of standee's downstairs, yet if you head upstairs there is still seats available. Once saw standee's downstairs, went upstairs and there was a whole 10 people up there.

[Ash]

One that bugs me is when you board a DD and there is a crowd of standee's downstairs, yet if you head upstairs there is still seats available. Once saw standee's downstairs, went upstairs and there was a whole 10 people up there.

Lukeee, do you think this is due to people feeling intimidated or too frightened to go upstairs on a bus especially on certain services for example a young girl may rather stay downstairs and stand rather than go upstairs and find a spare seat towards the back of the bus up the top deck. Also people that only want to go 5/6 stops will prefer to stay downstairs and stand as they will feel by the time they have found a seat upstairs they will be getting off again. For me its annoying when people crowd round the front if the bus is full fair enough stand in the middle of the bus not all crowd round the buggy zones and its rare a driver tells the passengers to move towards the back of the bus as in some occurances buses i have been on have gone past stops thinking the bus is full where if people that are standing try to find an available seat there would be enough room for the passengers at those stops.

[Bruce_LOA400X]

from my experience those who don't go upstairs are either intimidated, have crowding issues (I.E. the tought of being near a door makes them feel happier during busy times) or are just plain lazy.

this happens a fair bit In Leicester, people won't go upstairs because they cannot be bothered... it won't kill them to walk a few more steps...

[Trident 4609]

2015 was completley packed with a standing load on a rare working of the 59 yesterday coming out of wolverhampton but when i rode it into wolverhampton it was very quiet. I had to stand up on the way back. wish i had just stopped on the bus. Also looked comletley packed on 2021 on a rare working of the 529

[danny]

The upper deck is intimidating, i was once on the 101 from birmingham to the lodge road late at night, the routd was quite busy and people were harrasing other users, smoking and sindging the seats, it was an uncomfortable experience and put me right off, the only time i will travel on the upper deck route permited iis at peak journeys when standard people ie not chavs thugs or drunks are having to use it aswell, and i will try and sit near to the stairs so in the event of trouble the exit is close

[windy miller]

I think the majority of passengers who prefer to use the lower deck are often pensioners who may have mobility problems,eg hip replacements ect. Also they often use the same services each day in the  company of people they know,or maybe share advice or opinions.As you rightly said, the Annoyance factor appears around 3.45pm when inconsiderate schoolkids 'hog' the standing area,often busily 'texting away' with no concept of space and/or people trying to get off. >:( >:(