size of bus seats

[Peana]

Apologies if this has already been asked, but I didn't find it when I searched (I've only just come upon this forum).

Whilst travelling on the local stagecoach bus at around 1600 (not my normal time of travel) I was surprised at the small size of the seats. I appreciate that this was a time of day when most of the users were kids / teenagers, but found the seats most uncomfortable and restrictive (especially as I was wearing a bulky winter coat). I didn't think to make a note of the bus model, but it was more like a coach, except that on one side of the aisle there were 3 seats rather than the normal 2 (e.g. 5 seats wide in total across the width of the vehicle).

Is there a minimum seat requirement? I'm tall but not large, but I would have struggled if my journey had been longer than the 15 mins.

I'm usually a bus fan, and do recommend them to visitors, but I wondered if this was normal now? Usually I travel outside of peak times and evenings when the buses are 'normal'.

 

[JKP]

Apologies if this has already been asked, but I didn't find it when I searched (I've only just come upon this forum).

Whilst travelling on the local stagecoach bus at around 1600 (not my normal time of travel) I was surprised at the small size of the seats. I appreciate that this was a time of day when most of the users were kids / teenagers, but found the seats most uncomfortable and restrictive (especially as I was wearing a bulky winter coat). I didn't think to make a note of the bus model, but it was more like a coach, except that on one side of the aisle there were 3 seats rather than the normal 2 (e.g. 5 seats wide in total across the width of the vehicle).

Is there a minimum seat requirement? I'm tall but not large, but I would have struggled if my journey had been longer than the 15 mins.

I'm usually a bus fan, and do recommend them to visitors, but I wondered if this was normal now? Usually I travel outside of peak times and evenings when the buses are 'normal'.

Seat size is specified by construction and use regulations. See Croners for example. 3 plus 2 seating has been fitted on buses in various places for many years. Here in the Scottish Borders, Eastern and Lowland Scottish ran a number of Seddon Pennine Alexander Y types as 60/62 seaters back in the 1980s/90s principally for schools but inevitably used on all day service. I agree that the bench seats are a bit of a squash for three adults or even high school pupils.

 

[Teapot42]

I agree that the bench seats are a bit of a squash for three adults or even high school pupils.

I'd say bench seats would actually be better - most 3+2 I've seen is separate seats. For services that normally run at below capacity it can become almost 2+1 away from school times, and works well say if a parent and child or two children are travelling together.

With a seat you have to sit in a fixed position, with a bench you can spread out to suit.