Double Trouble: Double-Decker Buses Hit Streets of San Francisco
In America, double-decker buses have mostly served as tourist throwbacks to London, but San Francisco's MUNI transit agency - like others in Las Vegas and Seattle - is using the two-story vehicle in regular service. We'd already heard the agency was testing an Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 low-floor double-decker bus, but these are the first photos we've seen of them in use.
Telstar Logistics managed to sneak aboard the only bus brought to San Francisco, while it was stopped at a station. Good thing, too; the bus, which arrived here in late November, was only in scheduled service until two days ago, and it may be on it's way back to the United Kingdom sometime soon. From Telstar's words, we hear the buses are quite roomy, offer awesome views from the second floor, and may be more comfortable than the normal Neoplan or Skoda buses currently in MUNI's fleet.
The biggest advantage, obviously is space - 83 passengers can sit in this 40' long monster; there's only room for 55 in MUNI's 60' articulated Neoplans. But the other advantage is certainly it's appeal - who wouldn't want to cruise throughout San Francisco in the second deck, taking in all the sights the city has to offer? If those factors - and a host of other maintenance issues - prove to be okay, the double-decker bus may become as familiar to city residents as those antique cable cars.
+ Telstar Logistics: Touring San Francisco's Double Decker Bus
Comments
Russ Bellinis
Did they think to make sure they had adequate overhead clearance on all routes in the city. I can see a double decker bus tearing out power lines all over town, to say nothing of the problem that would be caused if they hit a low bridge with an overheight vehicle.
chartguy
That's what they were testing. It was a "route-proving run".
I suspect that the real issues will prove to be 1) ADA and 2) drivers' union.
The tight stairs to the upper level indicate that the bus was not designed with the handicapped in mind.
Since one of these hauls more passengers than those super-long articulated buses, Muni may need fewer drivers.
Evan McCausland
Chartguy,
The bottom level is no different than any normal low-floor bus currently on the market. ADA-compliant ramps and wheelchair-securements are placed on the lower level.
Technically, that makes the bus accessible and ADA-compliant.
stankubrick
Looks like a good answer to the homeless problem!
mbslrm
This might not be able to fit in some tight urban areas. But I like it. It could be useful on routes with heavy traffic (transit user traffic).
john Riley
So I guess these are diesel and not trolley?
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