Why are buses so uncomfortable?

thescouselander

For various reasons I decided to take the bus to work today instead of using my bike as I usually do. I don't do this often but it really struck me today just how uncomfortable these things are. The seats are rock hard, the vibration and noise were extremely high, the ride was bumpy and the braking and acceleration very jerky.

The bus I was on today was relatively new and I'm led to believe these vehicles are expensive. It also cost me nearly £1 per mile so it's not like this is a cheap mode of transport. Why is it, with so much money going into these vehicles, they can't me made more refined?

esuhl

It's because (in terms of company profits), it makes no difference. People travelling by bus are unlikely to have many (or any) viable alternatives. So, within reason, buses can be ridiculously expensive, noisy, dirty and uncomfortable and... well... Every penny spent on servicing on cleaning is a penny that can't be given to the shareholders.

thescouselander

Maybe of they were more comfortable thed get more passengers of different backgrounds.

w211

I'd much rather walk than catch the bus. By the time I walked to the bus stop, wait for the bus, and complete the journey, it would probably be quicker for me walk into town, and save the £1.40.

Two and a half miles will take me 40 min to walk, and is more direct along the river.

However, I do appreciate that I'm fortunate that I have a choice of either walking or, if the weather is not clement or I've got stuff to carry, I'll take the car, and use the £2.80 (return fare) for parking instead. As mentioned, those travelling by bus don't have the choice.

whatmichaelsays

It's mass transport designed to transport as many people as possible at the lowest possible cost to the operator.

For bus operators, having a set of seats that are easy to clean, easy to maintain, cheap to replace and vandal resistant is much more important than providing a level of comfort to what it, by and large, a captive market.

thescouselander

whatmichaelsays wrote: »

It's mass transport designed to transport as many people as possible at the lowest possible cost to the operator.

For bus operators, having a set of seats that are easy to clean, easy to maintain, cheap to replace and vandal resistant is much more important than providing a level of comfort to what it, by and large, a captive market.

I could accept that if it weren't for the fact the bus is one of the most expensive modes of transport on a per mile basis. Only the train is more expensive. My car is much more comfortable than the bus and costs just over half the cost of the bus per mile travelled. I'd therefore expect the bus to be at least as comfortable as my car if not more so.

wealdroam

thescouselander wrote: »

I could accept that if it weren't for the fact the bus is one of the most expensive modes of transport on a per mile basis. Only the train is more expensive. My car is much more comfortable than the bus and costs just over half the cost of the bus per mile travelled. I'd therefore expect the bus to be at least as comfortable as my car if not more so.

Are you including purchase price and depreciation in your costs?

WiggyDiggyPoo

Its a rattlefest isn't it!

I too swap the bus for the bicycle and have to sit in a certain set of seats otherwise I don't fit, too tall....

Bus aint too bad in these parts, the one I get is pretty quiet and at least has a semi rurul journey. I wouldn't want to be catching the bus in a town/city centre again though, slow and nothing to look out the windows at!

thescouselander

wealdroam wrote: »

Are you including purchase price and depreciation in your costs?

Yes, I'm going by the running cost tables published by the AA. At just under £1 per mile the bus is definitely priced at the luxury end of the market but the experience falls somewhat short.

teddysmum

The seat backs are upright, with short horizontal cushions. Bell buttons are usually just out of reach, but if you walk to the front, instead of staying seated, you have to risk stumbling while passing the wheelchair/pushchair spaces. Add to that , hard suspension, poor driving and speed humps, which are numerous on the route my bus takes to the hospital (the only occasion that I use a bus as parking is difficult/impossible/expensive).

whatmichaelsays

thescouselander wrote: »

I could accept that if it weren't for the fact the bus is one of the most expensive modes of transport on a per mile basis. Only the train is more expensive. My car is much more comfortable than the bus and costs just over half the cost of the bus per mile travelled. I'd therefore expect the bus to be at least as comfortable as my car if not more so.

You're forgetting that buses are run for profit, and are driven by a professional who is salaried specifically for the job of driving it.

Your own car is neither of these things.