Section 7: Driver compartment
7.1 Introduction
The role and responsibility of the urban bus driver in coping with the levels of urban traffic and congestion, the various requirements of passenger loading, revenue collection, unloading and dealing with the range of passenger requests for assistance and information is a demanding one. Any features that make the task easier and safer to carry out will be to the overall benefit of the public bus transport industry.
The bus driver’s compartment is in fact his/her workplace and they can spend the majority of their working day in that compartment.
7.2 Mandatory features
Climate
In addition to any overall bus climate control system, provision must be made to provide the drivers with some personal driver-controlled form of heat and cooling including to the foot area.
Comfort
- A fully sprung driver’s seat with adjustment for all three planes of driving position.
- For MB and LB, the driver’s seat suspension should be capable of being adjusted to cater for varying driver weight.
- A readily adjustable (tilt and height) steering wheel column and soft style easily cleaned and dried steering wheel.
- A footrest for the left foot.
- Sun-blinds to the full width of the front windscreen and for the driver’s offside windows.
- A coat/jacket storage, eg hook.
- Out-of-sight storage for personal belongings such as bag/lunchbox.
- Screens or blinds such that windscreen reflections from internal lighting are kept to an acceptable minimum.
- Ticketing equipment and till stand should be ergonomically located.
Communication/positioning/ticketing
For an urban fleet service requiring more than five buses in service at any one time, a two-way radio able to provide communication between buses of the same operator, back to base depot and to any central information or control centre.
For the smaller regional centres, a hands-free cellphone is an acceptable alternative providing the operator can provide evidence of a company safe driving policy that must be followed with respect to hands-free use.
Wiring/mounting for such items as:
- global positioning system (GPS)
- real-time passenger information system (RTPIS)
- reversing and internal camera display
- covert emergency alarm within the radio system
- electronic ticketing.
On-board security
Barrier protection panel to prevent any form of assault from behind, either directly by a passenger or by a thrown object.
A covert visual and audio alarm system, eg a hidden easily activated
switch/button capable of activating the four-way flashers and the horn for use in
case the driver feels a threatening situation is developing.
A revenue collection and holding system so that the driver’s cash can be readily and securely locked into a cash box that can be secured to the bus, eg to the ticket issuing equipment stand.
Last updated: 21 August 2008
