On 21 Dec, 21:54, asdf wrote:
On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:22:22 -0800 (PST), wrote:
Does anybody here seriously think that a new bus will be allowed with
open rear deck.

I sincerely hope so.

An open platform may make sense in Oxford Street where the speeds of
traffic are pretty slow but really anywhere else it is simply
dangerous - the only justification of an open platform is so that
people can get on and off at places which aren't bus stops - is there
any other?.

- Journeys are sped up even for passengers who only board and alight
at bus stops, because the bus needs to spend less time stopped at
stops, because some people have already alighted and boarded while the
bus was stationary for some other reason.

- It also saves time at each stop, as there is no need to wait for the
doors to open and close. (A Routemaster can stop at a stop, pick
someone up, and move off in literally 2 seconds.)

So, why not run conventional buses down Oxford Street (and other
places of excessive congestion and lots of traffic lights) with the
doors open in advance of the introduction of the Boris-bus?

(I appreciate that conventional buses with conductors on route 55
wasn't a success which is perhaps why the driver has to be locked away
at the front with a rear entrance if conductors are to be reinstated.)