London Banter - View Single Post

Terry Harper · September 16th 07, 10:13 PM posted to uk.transport.london

On Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:51:44 -0700, wrote:

Although I haven't ridden on one, I understand that the new SO class
buses introduced on route 148 (Shepherds Bush to Camberwell Green) by
Transdev have leather seats. Is this for evaluation or policy for all
new buses operated by Transdev in London?

London has a long and envious record of moquette seated trains and
buses, even during the seventies when almost all other bus operators
adopted PVC seat coverings. I realise that leather seat coverings are
now making a (to my mind, unwelcome) appearance on public transport in
many parts of the country but why has Transport for London accepted
this change? Is there evidence that this is what the public wants and
what is the point on a local bus route?

To my mind, leather seats (of the kind specified in public transport)
have a fairly spartan look compared to many of the bright moquettes
used and although they may offer a "wipe-clean" surface, they are more
prone to damage by scratching or other mistreatment / vandalism.
However, they are gradually creeping into many fleets now.

Back in the 1920s and 1930s, leather covered seats were commonplace.
Probably easier to keep clean than moquette, which seemed to be more
often used on coaches. Also more durable, although wooden-slatted
seats probably win the prize for durability. This was before plastics
which simulate leather became available.

Transdev's subsidiaries in the North have introduced leather seats on
their high-profile services, and claim that higher-spec vehicles
caused passenger numbers to rise. Could be that they have decided to
introduce the concept to their London operations.
--
Terry Harper
Website Coordinator, The Omnibus Society
http://www.omnibussoc.org