Why are buses so uncomfortable?

Mids_Costcutter

It's great to hear that the operator's interests come first and not those of the passenger. No wonder the UK is one of the most car dependent nations in Europe: that doesn't help anyone to save money.

Poor driving though (and that's my experience too) is not necessarily driven by cost. Write to the bus company in question with details of your journey and there's a good chance they will monitor the driver.

SteveJW

Three times over the Xmas period I had occasions to use the bus, first time for years.

I was very impressed and felt the cost reasonable at £3.65 for 8 miles (less than 50p a mile.
Would usually cycle that distance but two journeys were at night, having a meal and a few drinks
Third journey was to do Xmas shopping and not viable by bike

Car would be cheaper unless I had to pay for parking

Humphrey10

WiggyDiggyPoo wrote: »

Its a rattlefest isn't it!

I love the word rattlefest, that perfectly describes buses!

moneysweet

I think it depends on which city you are in, and of course which bus you've taken.

thescouselander

saahil2310 wrote: »

Buses are the prime transport for the people of every city. It is cheaper than other options. That is why people prefer bus. It results more crowd in Buses which makes it difficult to travel with ease in buses.

Come on, you made that up didn't you. Most people get round in there cars round here. Also in the outer parts of the city (where I live) busses drive round almost empty and don't get full until they're near the city centre.

Also the bus (for my 3 mile journey at least) is more expensive than walking/running, cycling, the train and the car. The bus is also the slowest way to do the journey with the exception of walking.

Billy-no-Money

Sounds like the OP's issue was poor driving; a good driver won't be jerky, they won't thrash the engine etc etc.

I do think modern buses are too noisy inside, compared to vehicles of twenty years ago. I think there could be a few reasons for this:

- external noise regulations mean it's no longer acceptable to stick the engine in a pod at the back and keep the noise external (google 'Leyland Atlantean' to see what I mean)
- low floor regulations mean there's less space for proper suspension
- maximising the internal space means the space available for engine/gearbox is squeezed.
- reduction in weight makes sound insulation a lower priority
- our roads are atrocious

If you travel by bus regularly you soon realise that some drivers are excellent and others have no mechanical sympathy whatsoever. With the right driver and a seat with decent legroom bus travel can still be reasonably pleasant.

Hermia

moneysweet wrote: »

I think it depends on which city you are in, and of course which bus you've taken.

I used to live in a city and used buses all the time as they were the quickest and cheapest way of getting around. I now live in the country and the buses are ridiculous. They are very expensive, the routes are ridiculous (adjoining towns sometimes don't have a direct bus between them) and many routes don't operate before 9am so they are useless for workers. The bus company is always moaning that people don't use the buses!

King_Weasel

Why are buses so uncomfortable?

Because they are designed by people who never travel on them.

Predaleko1984

Having been living in Weston-super-mare over a year, I do realise a lot of the buses here are uncomfortable being a chap over six foot!

One of our bus routes which goes to Brean and Burnham is VERY uncomfortable. The seats are very hard and my back always hurts. I never sit down even for five mins when we get to the destinations!

Prefer these over the Birmingham/West Midlands ones - TOO lawless and always someone dealing drugs/smoking pot, having fights, or somebody with a huge chip on their shoulder.

fannyadams

Bob Newhart Bus Driver School