Section 5: Passenger comfort and use
5.1 Introduction
Comfort and ease of use of both the bus and the route features highly in the evaluation process of any potential passenger when comparing the attractiveness of the private motor vehicle to travel by urban public bus transport, eg:
‘Do I know that it is going to where I want to go?’
‘Can I normally have a regular expectation of a seat if my journey time is more than 10 minutes?’
‘Is it comfortable?’
‘Will I know when it gets there?’
are some of the questions/factors that local and overseas research has shown to be important when making the choice of whether or not to use public transport buses.
It is therefore essential that we meet or exceed these expectations within the bounds of affordability and best value for money.
5.2 Seating
Our passengers are getting heavier, bigger/wider, older and less mobile, so good easily accessible seating is a requirement for passengers be they short distance hop on hop off or using the longer suburban routes and express/motorway services which may mean a journey of up to an hour.
Seating – a fabricated frame or moulded shell with flat bench style or a ‘minimally contoured to body shape’ squab or padded insert style seat using a fire retardant inner and covering material that is hard wearing, vandal, stain and odour resistant and easy to clean.
| Seat width | single seat | >425 mm |
| double bench or paired mother and child, on front wheel arch |
>875 mm >810 mm |
|
| Spacing | forward facing | >670 mm |
5.3 Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
Regional climatic differences would favour not further specifying any requirements. However, with the movement of vehicles around the country, either within an operator’s own fleet or between operators, some requirements are necessary if passenger comfort is to have some conformity and be of an acceptable quality throughout the country.
Ventilation/window requirements are covered in the PSV Rule.
| Small bus (SB) | A combined heating, cooling and opening window system that maintains the internal temperature of the bus saloon while in service within a range of 15-25°C at all times. |
| Medium bus (MB)/ Large bus (LB) | Climate control, preferably fully automated and preset air
conditioning that will maintain the saloon temperature at 22 +/-5°
C at all times when in service and carrying passengers. Fully automated air conditioning is preferred. |
5.4 Demisting
A demisting system that ensures the following are kept clear at all times when the bus is carrying passengers:
- the driver’s windscreen
- all quarter light windows if fitted
- front door windows.
It is also desirable to ensure that all side windows and door windows forward of the rear axle are kept clear.
5.5 Bus stop signals
All buses must be fitted with twin driver indicator bus stop signalling and acknowledgement display devices that are easily seen by the driver and the passengers and in easy reach of all passengers whether seated or standing.
Generally, this means:
- they can be reached by any person seated in a priority seating area or wheelchair area without having to stand up, eg on side walls or the underside of folding seats
- they are adjacent to and not less than every second row of seats on both sides of the aisle
- they indicate to the driver whether the signal has been made by a passenger occupying a wheelchair or priority seat position.
The device triggers both an audible and visual indication to the driver as well as at least one illuminated ‘Bus stopping’ sign (as illustrated, a mix of upper and lower case characters is preferred) rearward facing to the saloon to acknowledge the request. This sign will remain illuminated until cancelled by the operation of the front door controls.
Bus stop request devices must be of a high-visibility contrasting colour to the surround and with the surface on which surround is mounted and may take the form of a mix of the following:
- Finger/thumb/knuckle push buttons on the vertical stanchions at a height of>1300 mm and <1600 mm above floor level.
- Finger/thumb/knuckle push buttons on the bus side panels at a height of>850 mm and <1050 mm particularly in the priority seating area or on the undersides of folding seats.
- Horizontal cordage along the windows of each side of the bus at a height >1200 mm above floor level.
Note: Cordage alone is not acceptable.
Due to the incidence of false signal calls experienced with many full/large palm push style call systems, these are not preferred.
5.6 External destination display
Clear information of the bus route, destination and intermediate points form an essential part of generating passenger confidence.
Signs are to be of the electronic LED/dot matrix style with emphasis on high visibility during all light levels that can be easily read by the majority of sighted current or potential passengers as the bus approaches or departs. Signs should have the capability to display multi-line information in a mix of upper and lower case characters and also frequently changing displays to facilitate additional route information, eg via station.
The sign must be controlled by the driver from the driving position and be capable of storing a range of different route and destination information as well as displaying whether the bus is not in service, on charter, school or special work.
All buses require the following signs:
- front forward-facing three route number and destination combination sign>1500 mm wide located at or above the top of the windscreen
- near side, as close as possible to the front entrance, a ‘destination only’ at a height >1200 mm from ground level
- rearward-facing route number only sign at a height 1500 mm and <2500 mm above ground level and central or left of centre, ie toward the nearside of the bus.
| SB | Front and rear route number characters must be >125 mm Front destination characters must be >100 mm Side destination number characters must be >60 mm |
| MB/LB | Front and rear route number characters must be >150 mm Front destination characters must be >125 mm Side destination characters must be >60 mm |
5.7 Internal information
PA system
A PA system capable of broadcasting driver announcements and pre-recorded messages.
Information
A display panel behind/adjacent to the driver compartment suitable for displaying printed or electronic projected material relating to general public transport information or local events.
Wiring/mounting provision for the instalment of progressive route or travel-related automated or driver-initiated audio and or video announcements is required.
5.8 Luggage/stroller/prams/mobility devices
Provision is required towards the front of the saloon area for easy access/safe/secure storage of:
- luggage, ie suitcase, carryall, backpack or similar package
- folded pram/stroller/mobility frame/aids
- folded wheelchair.
The area above the wheel arches immediately above both front wheels is in most configurations the most suitable luggage location but alternatives behind modesty panels at the front or rear door are also acceptable.
In total, sufficient space must be capable of accommodating 2 x folded prams/strollers/mobility frames and 2 x pieces of luggage, each of the luggage pieces being capable of being carried by one person, ie <25 kg with dimensions <800 mm x 300 mm.
Last updated: 21 August 2008
