Double-decker bus

A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or decks. Double-decker buses are used for mass transport in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and many former European possessions, the best-known example being the red London bus, namely the AEC Routemaster. Except for London, from 1972 was in other cities unlike London.

A New Routemaster bus operating in London

Early double-deckers put the driver in a separate cab. Passenger access was via an open platform at the rear, and a bus conductor would collect fares. Modern double-deckers have a main entrance door at the front, and the driver takes fares, thus halving the number of bus workers aboard, but slowing the boarding process. The rear open platform, popular with passengers, was abandoned for safety reasons, as there was a risk of passengers falling when running and jumping onto the bus.

Double-deckers are primarily for commuter transport but open-top models are used as sight-seeing buses for tourists. William Gladstone, speaking of London's double-deck horse-drawn omnibuses, once observed that "...the best way to see London is from the top of a bus".[1]

By country

Cities listed here have double-decker buses as part of their regular mass transit fleet. Cities with only tourist and sightseeing double-decker buses are excluded.

United Kingdom
An historical Brixton to Clapham horse-drawn bus on display at London Bus Museum.
An Arriva Southern Counties Volvo B7TL in England
A Hedingham Enviro400 in England

The first commercial horse-drawn double-decker omnibuses were introduced in England in 1847 by Adams & Co. of Fairfield, Bow, then improved upon by John Greenwood, who introduced a new double-decker in 1852.[2]

Double-decker buses are in common use throughout the United Kingdom, and have been favoured over articulated buses by many operators because of the shorter length of double-deckers and larger amount of seating capacity; they also may be safer to operate through the narrow streets and tight corners common in the UK. The majority of double-decker buses in the UK are between 9.5 metres (31 ft 2 in) and 11.1 metres (36 ft 5 in) long, the latter being more common since the mid-1990s, though there are three-axle 12-metre (39-foot-4-inch) models in service with some operators. Double-decker coaches in the UK have traditionally been 12.0 metres (39 feet 4 inches) in length, though many newer models are about 13.75 metres (45 ft 1 in).

The maximum permissible length of a rigid double-decker bus and coach in the UK is 15.0 metres (49 ft 3 in) with 3 axles, and 13.5 metres with two.[3] However, the total maximum dimensions, including trailer or articulated section, in normal circumstances are;

DimensionValue
Length 18.75 metres (61 ft 6 in)
Width 2.55 metres (8 ft 4 in)
Height 4.95 metres (16 ft 3 in)
Mass 12,000 kilograms (26,455 lb)

Coaches are normally built to 4.38 metres (14 ft 4 in) high, while 'highbridge' buses are normally about 20 centimetres (8 in) taller. Articulated double-deckers are also allowed at a maximum length of 18.65 metres (61 ft 2 in).

In 1941, Miss Phyllis Thompson became the first woman licensed to drive a double-decker vehicle in the United Kingdom. She drove for the bus company Felix Bus Services, then at Hatfield near Doncaster.[4][5]

The red double-decker buses in London have become a national symbol of England. The majority of buses in London are double-deckers. A particular example was the AEC Routemaster bus, which had been a staple of the public transport network in London for nearly half a century following its introduction in 1956. Because of cited difficulties accommodating disabled passengers, the last remaining Routemasters in use finally retired from general service in 2005. Transport for London has continued to keep these vintage buses in operation on heritage route 15H,[6] there was formerly a second heritage route (9H) but this ceased operation in 2014 due to low patronage and increased operation costs.[7]

In 2007, a hybrid-powered double-decker entered service on London Buses route 141. By late 2008, more hybrid double-deckers from three manufacturers entered service in London. A New Routemaster was developed that year, and entered service on 20 February 2012. In October 2015, London added five all-electric double-decker buses - the world's first - made by Chinese firm BYD.[8]

Isle of Man
A Bus Vannin Volvo B9TL in Ramsey, Isle of Man

Bus Vannin operates several double-deckers on routes all across the island.

Republic of Ireland
Dublin Bus Volvo B9TL

In the Republic of Ireland, nearly all of the buses operated in and around Greater Dublin by Dublin Bus are double-deckers. There are 1,000 double-decker buses (second after London) in the company's fleet of 1,008 (October 2019).

Bus Éireann also utilises double-decker buses on some of its commuter routes, such as the Dublin to Dundalk service. Double-deckers are also common on some of the company's suburban routes in Cork city. More luxurious Double-Deckers are used on Intercity Routes like the XI Dublin-Belfast Route or X3/X4 Dublin-Derry route.

Austria

Double decker buses were in use on city services in Vienna between 1960 and 1991.[9] They are used on services between Vienna and its airport, and also operated by Ötztaler Verkehrsgesellschaft (ÖVG) under contract to ÖBB-Postbus on service 4420 between Innsbruck and Lienz.[10]

Czech Republic

Since 2020, two Scania UNVI Urbis DD CNG cars have been running on public transport lines in Ostrava. During working days on lines 20 and 78. Over the weekend and holidays during the summer season on line 88.

Denmark

Since 1970, various operators of Copenhagen city transport were using double-deckers—originally Leyland, in the 1980s–1990s MAN and in the 2000s Volvo, derivates of model B7.[11]

Finland
Föli double-decker bus in Turku, Finland

Double-decker buses are relatively rare in Finland, but there are known to be at least four Routemasters in Finland: one in Helsinki, one in Heinola, one in summer tourist charter in Espoo and one in summer tourist traffic in Kuopio. In the autumn of 2019, Public Transport of Turku, also known as Föli, was the first city to officially incorporate double-decker buses into local traffic.[12][13]

France
Left, double-decker bus Schneider Brillié P2; Center, double decker horse-drawn omnibus in Paris, France.

The first French double-decker bus was brought into service in Paris in 1853; it was a horse-drawn omnibus. The upper floor was cheaper and often uncovered.

The first double-decker motor bus in Paris, the Schneider Brillié P2, appeared in 1906. It was designed to carry more passengers and to replace the horse-drawn double-decker omnibus. Like trams and omnibuses, double-decker motor buses included two classes of travel: first class inside the car and second class outdoors on top. But this type of vehicle was withdrawn in 1911 because one of them overturned at place de l'Étoile; following this incident the P2s lost their upper deck and were renamed as P3s.

It was not until 1966 that the RATP retried double-deckers on two lines in Paris. A prototype built by Berliet (type E-PCMR), was put into service in 1966, with an order being placed for 25 vehicles. The first production car was commissioned on 19 June 1968 on line 94, Gare Montparnasse - Levallois. On 17 February 1969, line 53, Opera - Porte d'Asnieres was in turn equipped with this model. But traffic problems caused RATP to definitively abandon this vehicle in 1977, because this type of bus is poorly suited to the structure of the Paris network, the stops being too close to each other which prevented people from going upstairs. Hence, there are no Parisian mass transit lines using double-decker buses.

SITAC operates a service 5 between Calais and Sangatte using a double decker bus.

Germany
MAN A39 in Berlin, Germany
Main article: Bus transport in Berlin

In Germany, double-decker buses in Berlin are operated by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). The fleet of double-decker buses in Berlin fell from 1,000 in 1992 to 450 in 2002. The models in operation in 2004 were 13.5 metres (44 ft 3 in) long and held around 95 passengers. The replacements, which are supplied by Neoman Bus, are 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) longer. The new buses are able to hold 128 passengers.[14]

Italy

During the 1960s and 1970s major cities like Turin, Milan, Rome, Florence, Verona, Bologna, Rimini, Naples, Bari and Palermo adopted Fiat double decker buses.

The most common model was the Fiat 412 Aerfer, and in 1961 it was replaced by Fiat 413 Viberti Monotral CV61.

Liechtenstein

Liemobil operates four double decker MAN A39 buses on service 11 between Sargans, Switzerland and Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria and on other services 12, 13 and 14 in the country.[15]

Netherlands

It is only very recently that double-decker buses have started to be used in the Netherlands. On 10 December 2017 Connexxion put 18 three-axle double deckers into service on route 346 between Haarlem and Amsterdam Zuid, a heavily used commuter route not served by rail. They are Futura FDD2s built by VDL Bus & Coach in Valkenswaard, are 14.1 metres long, and carry 86 seated passengers.[16] Their introduction was not without problems since their route initially had to be diverted to avoid passing under a dangerously low tram overhead wire near the VU Medical Centre stop.[17]

Also in December 2017, Qbuzz introduced five double-deckers on its route 300 between Groningen and Emmen. These are Van Hool TDX27 Astromegas, also 14.1 metres long and carrying 85 passengers.[18]

North Macedonia
Yutong City Master in Skopje, North Macedonia

The Macedonian government bought 217 Yutong City Master double-decker city buses for local transport in Skopje, the capital. The first shipment of 68 custom-made buses arrived in Skopje in 2011 from China's Zhengzhou Yutong factory. The buses were put into operation on 8 September 2011, coinciding with the day of Macedonian independence. This model of bus has capacity for 80 passengers.[19]

Norway

In June 2008 Boreal Transport on contract with Kolumbus introduced three double-decker buses to provide more seating for certain high-traffic departures in Stavanger.[20]

Portugal
Double-deck bus in Porto, Portugal

Double-decker buses in Portugal were introduced during the 1950s when buses in general started to be driven in the main cities of the country, such as Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Setúbal. The type of buses were built by AEC (Regent) and later, vehicles produced by Daimler (Fleetline) and Leyland (Atlantean) with Portuguese bodywork or original. there was also one Leyland Olympian as a demonstrational bus for Lisbon. In Porto, there were double-decker trolleybuses, produced by Lancia and with Dalfa bodywork, putted in circulation in the middle 1960s until the middle 1990s. Double-decker buses were not a common vehicle for normal service, but for sightseeing purposes, most commonly Portuguese produced vehicles, including rebodies from regular service buses (for example, the Volvo B10R from Carristur), as well as ones from former companies, such as the MAN SD202 from BVG Berlin, many of them still in circulation.

This situation with no double-decker buses on regular service lasted until 2011, when STCP acquired fifteen double-decker buses, with the model MAN A39 (same ones as in Berlin). They were presented as an event made by the company, named "Duplex Tour" at 26 February 2011 and put them into normal service on the 28th of the same month and year. These buses can be found normally on bus line 500.

Russia
MAN SD200 on route T-4 in Saint-Petersburg in 2000s

Until 2011 double-decker buses were operating in the city of Barnaul. The double-decker fleet consisted of seven MAN SD200 and MAN SD202 second hand buses imported from Berlin.[21][22] Those buses were used on routes 3, 10 and 17.

In the mid-1990s, some double-deckers were operated briefly in Saint Petersburg.[23]

Spain
Bilbobus double deck bus in Bilbao, Spain

Double-decker buses were introduced in 2014 in Bilbao by the city bus operator Bilbobus. They are not the first double deck vehicles in the city as ex-London Transport Q1 trolleybuses were sold to Bilbao after the end of London trolleybus operations in 1962 and were operated until the system's closure in 1978.[24] Initially, six vehicles are operating on Bilbobus route 56. They have a capacity of 132 passengers - 80 seated and fifty standing.

Sweden
VDL Synergy double-decker bus in Norrtälje, Sweden

Sweden bought in 1965 50 Leyland Atlantean double-decker buses with Park Royal bodies. Leyland claimed they were the first double-decker buses with one man operation. They had two staircases and two pairs of doors.[25] The Atlanteans were not replaced at the end of their revenue service life in 1974. Recently, however, in 2011 double-deckers returned to Sweden on revenue duties with VDL Synergy on in the SL 676 Stockholm Östra - Norrtälje line. Norrtälje is located around 70 km north of Stockholm.

Switzerland

In Switzerland Postauto operate double decker buses on a route between Engelburg–St Gallen–Heiden routes and in the Obertoggenburg region and in the regions of Rorschach and Goldach. 19 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 have been ordered to operate on these services, which seat 80 passengers and can carry 48 standing. Four double deckers are also operated in Graubünden which are due to be replaced within the next two years.[26]

Turkey

In Turkey, the Istanbul public transit system (IETT) runs 89 double-decker buses on longer-distance routes, most notably commuter buses crossing the Bosphorus Bridge linking the European and the Asian sides of the city. Double-decker buses are also used on routes to and from Taksim Square to far-flung western suburbs such as Büyükçekmece and Bahcesehir.

Egypt
A double-decker bus in Alexandria, Egypt

Multiple cities in Egypt use double-decker buses as part of their public transportation systems. In Cairo, a fleet of double-decker buses is utilized as part of the transportation system. The MAN Lion's City buses, manufactered in Egypt in 2018, were introduced in order to address demand for greater capacity on its bus system.[27] Red double-decker buses are also a feature of Alexandria's bus system.

Ethiopia

In 2017, as part of a larger order of 850 new buses, the city of Addis Ababa purchased a fleet of 50 double-decker buses to operate routes on its public transportation system. Of these, 25 are operated by the Anbessa City Bus Service Enterprise and 25 are part of the Sheger bus company's fleet; both are government-owned.[28]

Kenya
A double-decker bus on its first day of operation in Mombasa, Kenya

A fleet of double-decker buses operate in Mombasa, running a route aimed at tourists. The buses are open top, and run on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing route around the city; they are manufactured by Yaxing Coach.[29] Since 2014, a double-decker bus owned by the City Shuttle Bus Company also provides public transportation in Nairobi.[30]

Malawi

In Malawi, multiple companies utilize fleets of double-decker buses for intercity bus services. Modern Marcopolo buses run direct routes between the nation's two largest cities, Lilongwe and Blantyre.[31] New double-decker buses are also in use on more regional routes, including those connecting cities like Mangochi, Mzimba, and Mzuzu.[32]

South Africa

Double-decker buses are a feature of a number of transportation systems in South Africa. Johannesburg's public bus system, known as Metrobus and operated by the city, has 550 buses that run on 84 routes throughout the city. Of these, 150 are modern double-decker buses manufactured by Volvo, Scania, and Marcopolo.[33] The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng Province boasts 113 double-decker busses among its public transportation fleet.[34] Golden Arrow Bus Services, the main operator of bus services in Cape Town, is the owner of recently acquired double-decker MAN Lion's City buses.[35] Like in other countries across Southern Africa, double-decker buses are often utilized by private companies for intercity transport connecting major population centers, as well as linking South African cities with hubs in Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.[32] A number of tourism companies offer open top, double-decker bus sightseeing tours of major cities in South Africa.

Zambia

Double-decker buses are used by a number of private companies in Zambia for intercity bus services, both domestically connecting Lusaka and other cities across the country and internationally to cities like Johannesburg.[36]

Mainland China
A Foton BJ6128SHEVCA-5 plug-in hybrid double-decker bus in Beijing Bus service

Several cities in continental China have double-deckers in regular use on certain crowded lines, while some have a few double-deck buses in use on lines which also use single-deck vehicles, e.g. Nanning on line #704 in peak hours. Guilin is leading city that operate double-deckers regularly in major routes; in its main street the double-deckers prevails and run one-by-one almost every minute. Besides Guilin and Nanning, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Dalian, Foshan and Kunming also have those buses in service, particularly on routes during rush hours. Larger towns in the developed coastal provinces, including Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, use double-decker buses.

Hong Kong
A double-decker bus in Hong Kong
A double-decker bus in Hong Kong, owned by New World First Bus
Main article: Bus services in Hong Kong

The former British colony of Hong Kong introduced its first double-decker buses in 1949 by Kowloon Motor Bus. They have become very popular since then, and they are found in large numbers among the fleets of the territory's major bus operators (see below). By law, double-decker buses in Hong Kong are limited to a length of 12.8 metres (42 feet). Today, the majority of buses running in Hong Kong are double-decker buses, and all of them are air-conditioned. Also, Hong Kong has a double-deck trams system, one of three only in the world as of 2015 and the only fleet which is all double-deck.

Macau

In the former Portuguese territory of Macau, Fok Lei and its successor Transmac used second-hand double-deckers widely from the early 1970s until the late 1980s.[37]

Taiwan

In early 1990s two tri-axle Leyland Olympians were evaluated in Taipei and Taichung. The evaluation was unsuccessful and the buses were sold to Hong Kong for spares.

Japan
A Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King arrived at Tokyo station as "Dream-go" in Japan
A Neoplan Megaliner arrived at Osaka station as "Seishun Mega Dream" in Japan

By Japanese law, vehicles are confined to maximum 3.8 metres (12 ft 6 in) height and 12.0 metres (39 ft 4 in) length. Japanese double-decker buses are mainly used for inter-city highway buses (i.e., motor coaches), city tours, and charter buses. In 1960, Kinki Sharyo and Hino Motors manufactured the first original double-decker bus "Vista Coach" for Kinki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu).

In 1979, Chuo Kotsu, a chartered bus operator in Osaka, imported the Neoplan Skyliner. Skyliner, and the other imported buses: Van Hool Astromega TD824, Drögmöller E440 Meteor, and a few MAN coaches inspired Japanese bus manufactures, who developed three domestic models in the mid-1980s: "Nissan Diesel Space Dream", "Hino Grand View" and "Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King". They did not, however, sell very well as the ceiling was only 1.7 metres (5 ft 7 in) high. Nevertheless, Aero King was sold for 22 years, but, being unable to meet exhaust gas emission and safety levels, production stopped in 2005.

In 1982, Toei Bus operated Neoplan Skyliners in Tokyo, between Asakusa and Ueno to 2001. Joban Kotsu operated Skyliners in a trans-Fukushima route: between Iwaki and Aizu-Wakamatsu via Koriyama from 1983 to 1996.

Since the 1990s, JR Buses started to use Aero King for an overnight inter-city highway bus service named "Dream-go". The first Aero King in Dream-go, operated to "Fuku Fuku Tokyo" between Tokyo and Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi with Sanden Kotsu, which was replaced with a "super high-decker" coach in middle of the 1990s, "Fuku Fuku Tokyo," and finally stopped in 2006.

Japanese overnight highway buses are mainly equipped with a three-line, two-aisle (1+1+1) seat configuration with reclining seats. When this configuration is used on an ordinary coach, it has 28, 29 or 31 seats. When this configuration is used on a double-decker bus, it has 36 or 40 seats: the vehicle's price and capacity increase while operating cost decreases.

JR Bus group mainly uses Aero King, Skyliner, and a few Jonckheere Monaco (equipped with Nissan Diesel engine) for inter-city highway bus operations between Kanto (near Tokyo) and Kansai (near Osaka), which is named "Dream-go" (overnight express) and "Hiru-tokkyu" (Daytime Express). The other bus operators, inspired by "Dream-go", increased use of the Aero King for overnight inter-city bus service.

JR Bus Kanto imported four Neoplan Megaliner N128/4, leasing two to an operating partner (from 2003 to 2006, Kanto Railway, since 2006 Nishinihon JR Bus). The Megaliner is 15.0 metres (49 ft 3 in) long, and has 84 seats (with 2+2 configuration), and is operated on an inter-city highway route between Tokyo and Tsukuba, Ibaraki from 2002 to 2005. The Megaliner has also been converted for a low-price overnight highway bus service between Tokyo and Osaka called "Seishun Mega Dream-go," with special authorisation.

South Korea

In 2015, a fleet of 20 double-decker buses was introduced for commuters making the journey between the capital Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province and nearby Incheon city in 2015 as a pilot project.[38]

Bangladesh
A double decker bus in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation operates a fleet of Ashok Leyland buses on the streets of Dhaka and Chittagong. Earlier, some Volvo B10M/Alexander buses also used to run in Dhaka, but most of those have been dumped recently.

India
A double decker bus in Mumbai, India

In India, Hyderabad and Bangalore had double deckers for a while before discontinuing. Chennai's Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) had a small fleet of double-decker buses, mostly in the high-density, longer distance routes. They operated from 1975 before being wound up. They were briefly reintroduced in 1997 and were operated till 2008.[39] Mumbai has operated double-decker buses since 1937. They are operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking.[40]

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is operating double deckers in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cities.[41][42] Kolkata and also has double-decker buses. They are modelled on the London buses. Ashok Leyland Titan double decker buses are used in all cities. Articulated double-decker buses from Ashok Leyland were used till they were phased out in the early 1990s as they were thought to be unsuitable for city traffic. Recently in Kolkata, CSTC reintroduced double decker bus with music system on selected routes where wide road space was available, i.e. no over-head cables, low bridges or flyovers. CSTC has spent 1 million INR to renovate 1 bus. Today, double deckers exist only in Mumbai, Vadodara, Kolkata, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Sri Lanka
AEC Routemaster in Sri Lanka

In the 1950s, double-decker buses of the South Western Bus Company plied on the Galle Road in Colombo, Sri Lanka. These were taken over by the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) when all bus services were nationalised in 1958. Beginning around 1959, large numbers of second-hand double-decker buses of the RT, RTL and RTW classes were imported by the CTB from London Transport, and ran in their original red livery with the oval CTB logo painted on the sides. These buses were phased out beginning in the mid-1970s, and none remain in service. Later, around 1985, 40 ex-London Routemaster entered service. One Routemaster bus is run by the Sirasa TV and radio station.

Today's buses in Sri Lanka include AEC Routemaster (Currently phased out in order to make way for Volvo B9TL/East Lancs Nordic and incoming First Western Dennis Trident 2/Plaxton President - 2001/02), MCW Metrobus (including 12m parts), Leyland Atlantean, and Dennis Trident 2 (1999/2000), plus some of the Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking and Volvo B9TL/East Lancs Nordic buses.

Indonesia
Jakarta double-decker city tour bus passing through landmarks and points of interest in Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia first operated its double-decker bus fleet in 1968, with Leyland Titan double-decker bus first operated in Jakarta. The double-decker bus service linked Salemba in Central Jakarta with Blok M area in South Jakarta from 1968 to 1982.[43] Between 1984 and 1996, the Jakarta municipal bus service, Perusahaan Umum Pengangkutan Penumpang Djakarta (Perum PPD) operated a fleet of 180 Volvo B55 double-decker buses, connecting various corners in the city.

The double-decker bus service ceased to operate in 1996 due to aging fleet, lack of spare parts, and there are no plan to renew the double-decker fleet in Jakarta. By that time, the remnant of double-decker bus body were sold and repurposed as bus-themed clothing store in Blok M and restaurant in Senayan (now SCBD) area, but now the establishment has been demolished.[44]

By the early 2000s, the PPD has shifted their bus fleet from European built double-decker buses to cheaper second-hand Japanese buses and imported articulated buses from China. By that time, the double-decker seems to be lost in favour of articulated bus, which provides more exit and entry points to accommodate faster embarkment. By 2004 the TransJakarta bus rapid transit began its service in Jakarta, but uses no double-decker bus and chosen conventional and articulated buses instead.

Since February 2014, the Jakarta Government provides free double-decker bus tours that offers sightseeing in Central Jakarta. The buses' route covers tourist attractions, such as Monas, Istiqlal Mosque, the Cathedral, National Museum, Sarinah, and Plaza Indonesia, as well as Grand Indonesia shopping centres.[45][46] As 2016 there are 18 double-decker buses in Jakarta, and the service is expanded to include Kota Tua and Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan area via Sudirman avenue.[47]

Other than the capital Jakarta, there are some cities in Indonesia that have operated double-decker buses, mostly as city sightseeing tour service. They are Bandung and Surakarta.[48][49] The Bandros is a double-decker tourist bus operating in Bandung since 2014.[50]

Malaysia
A Rapid KL Alexander Dennis Enviro500 during a test run in Cheras, Malaysia.

Malaysia has historically seen the use of double-decker buses in mass transit to varying degrees, but were significantly limited in use due operational costs and driving spaces needed for such buses. Early double-decker municipal buses primarily existed in Malaya within the Kuala Lumpur area of Selangor and George Town, Penang between the late 1940s and the early 1960s, when double-deckers were eventually withdrawn in favour of cheaper and more agile single-deck buses.

The earliest recorded use of double-deckers by Malayan bus companies was in Selangor in 1948 when the Toong Fong Omnibus Company acquired two Park Royal-built Guy Arab IIIs at a cost of M$40,000 each; the General Transport Company (GTC) followed by acquiring Park Royal-built AEC Regent IIIs. While the buses saw service for over a decade, all of them were taken out of service for a variety of reasons and were never replaced with new double-deckers; the buses were often obstructed by narrow streets, trees, low bridges, and increasing overhead wires, while passengers eventually favoured staying on the lower deck of the bus; the cost of operating the buses was also higher due to a local vehicle tax calculated based on the number of seats of a taxed vehicle. One Toong Fong double-decker was burned in the late-1950s by communist insurgents, while the remaining double-deckers were ultimately disused by the mid-1960s due to age. The successor of the GTC, Sri Jaya, experimented with a reintroduction of double-deckers in 1989 by leasing a Singapore-assembled, 102-seat Leyland Olympian for use within Kuala Lumpur for 6 months,[51] but found that street conditions were problematic as before and discontinued the use of the bus after the trial.

In George Town, Penang, five retired AEC C1-type double-decker trolleybuses were procured in 1956 by the George Town Municipal Tramways from London Transport as an experiment for the possible use of double-decker buses in George Town. Poor performance results and the advancing ages of the buses, coupled with efforts to replace the entire trolleybus fleet with single-deck diesel-powered buses in the 1960s, led to the withdrawal of the only double-deck buses in early Penangite public transport.

Following increasing public bus ridership, more open roadways and the feasibility of operating double-deck Hop-On Hop-Off tourist buses within Kuala Lumpur, Prasarana Malaysia purchased 40 (revised from an earlier 111) Alexander Dennis Enviro500 double-decker buses in 2014 to serve high volume Rapid KL Rapid Bus routes; with a capacity of 108 passengers each, it is double that of a contemporary single-deck bus in the fleet. The first five buses of the batch entered service in September 2015; with the rest of the fleet gradually added into service in the following months. Feasibility studies were also conducted by Prasarana Malaysia on the reintroduction of double-deckers in Penang through Rapid Penang's bus service in 2015.[52]

Beyond mass transit, double-deckers have seen widespread use as long-distance coaches since the late-2000s in response to growing demand for intercity travel, as expressways and outlying bus stops lack physical obstacles that plagued urban bus services.

Singapore
An ex-SBS Transit Leyland Olympian 3-axle bus as preserved in the UK after its retirement from Singapore in 2013
The MAN A95 is one of the newest double-decker buses purchased for the Bus Contracting Model.

In October 1953, a single AEC Regent III double-decker from the fleet of the Kuala Lumpur-based General Transport Company was sent to Singapore for demonstration. It was used on service by the Singapore Traction Company for two weeks. After that, it was inspected by two Chinese-owned bus companies, and then sent back to Kuala Lumpur. However, no orders for double-deckers immediately followed.[53]

Although Sentosa was already operating several ex-London double decker buses such as the AEC Regent III RT and the Leyland Titan RTL from 1975 to the early 1980s,[54] double-decker buses only made a major comeback in Singapore's public bus system on 13 June 1977 when Singapore Bus Service (SBS, present-day SBS Transit), introduced 20 Leyland Atlantean AN68 buses on route 86 which was launched by then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communications Ong Teng Cheong that day. The success of the 1977 Leyland Atlantean buses led to SBS purchasing another 500 Leyland Atlantean AN68 buses from 1978 up to 1984 while also trialing several demonstrators such as the Volvo B55, Dennis Dominator, Scania BR112DH and Volvo B10MD Citybus concurrently.[55] The next batch of double-deck buses was introduced from 1984 to 1986 and consists of the Mercedes-Benz O305 and the Leyland Olympian, both of which were bodied by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders with an R-type body. In 1993, the first air-conditioned 12-metre (as opposed to the average 10.5-metre length then) double-decker bus, the Leyland Olympian 3-axle was launched as the "Superbus". The original 200 "Superbuses" were followed by an additional 471 Volvo Olympian 3-axle "Superbuses" and 100 non air-conditioned Volvo Olympian buses from 1994 to 2000. The Volvo B10TL, the first stepless, ultra-low-floor "Superbus", was launched in 1999 while 20 low-floor Dennis Trident 3 buses followed in 2001. The first wheelchair-accessible double-decker buses, the Volvo B9TL, were introduced in 2006; by 2014, SBS Transit had over 1631 of these buses in service.

SBS Transit's monopoly on double-decker buses in Singapore ended in 2014 when rival SMRT Buses ordered 201 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 buses. It was followed up with 16 MAN ND323F A95 buses in 2015.

Some of the existing double-deckers owned by SMRT Buses and SBS Transit were transferred to new operators Tower Transit and Go-Ahead under the Bus Contracting Model. Subsequent orders of B9TL and A95 buses are being made by the Land Transport Authority, are painted in a lush green livery (rather than the operator-specific liveries of SMRT and SBS Transit), and are used by all operators. Currently, there are more than 3,000 double-decker buses in Singapore, all of which are air-conditioned and the majority wheelchair-accessible. Newer units introduced from 2018 onwards are also Euro VI-compliant and are equipped with USB charging ports and Visual Passenger Information Displays.

In March 2017, the first three-door, two-staircase 12.8m long double-decker bus in Singapore was introduced by Tower Transit with the registration plate SG5999Z for a six-month trial period.[56] After the trial, the bus was transferred to SBS Transit.[57] The trial was successful and the Land Transport Authority purchased another 100 3-door double decker buses of the Alexander Dennis Enviro500 and MAN A95 builds in April 2019.[58] In April 2018, SBS Transit introduced into service a single Volvo B8L registered as SG4003D. Fully electric Yutong E12DD double-decker buses will also be introduced by 2020.[59]

Outside public bus operations, open-top buses are also operated by Big Bus Tours. The New Routemaster from London also visited Singapore twice; once in 2014[60] and another in 2016.[61]

Philippines
A double-decker bus of Pabama Transport in Cagayan de Oro

Presently double-decker buses are used by the Mall of Asia Arena (Higer KLQ6119GSE3 B91H-series) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (King Long XMQ6110GS). Former operators were Manila Motor Company (Matorco), which introduced such buses to the Philippines, and the Metro Manila Transit Corporation (Leyland Atlantean). The first double-decker bus in decades to serve the riding public in the capital region debuted in January 2016, serving the SM City North EDSA-Ayala Center route. It also sports PWD and elderly sitting, a national first.

In the entirety of Visayas and Mindanao region, Pabama Transport based in Bukidnon province in northern Mindanao was the first bus line to deploy double decker buses (Zhongtong LCK6148H Giant Magnate) which started servicing the riding public in June 2018. It was also the first in the country to field double-decker buses for provincial operations.[62]

Thailand

Double deckers are also commonly found in Thailand nowadays. Previously there are Volvo B10M with Alexander bodies available.

Vietnam

The first two double decker buses were used for route 06 of Ho Chi Minh City since 3 December 2005 in green color, like many HCMC buses at that time. There were rumors in May 2019 that these two buses will cease their operation, but Head of HCMC Department of Transportation confirmed that the buses will remain in service.[63]

Iraq
Double-decker bus in Baghdad, Iraq.

First used in 1938 and continued until 2003. They became part of the Iraqi culture and resumed operating in Baghdad in 2013 with modern buses. A fare can't reach more than 45 U.S. cents or 500 Iraqi Dinars. The double-decker buses in Baghdad were the first to enter the Middle East and the Arabic world.

Israel

In Israel, Egged operated double-decker buses from 1984 to 2013.[64]

First double-decker (built by Neoplan) arrived to Israel on 26 August 1984, and during the trial period it performed 434 test drives on four different lines, passed 195583 kilometers and gathered public attention and interest. Double-deckers were found commercially attractive, and in 1988 an agreement between Egged and Neoplan was signed, ordering first 20 buses, with additional 30 buses ordered in the following year. The double-deckers started to arrive in 1989, and they worked on lines Tel-Aviv—Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv—Haifa, Tel-Aviv—Be'er Sheba and on Eilat lines.

However, both technical problems (in connection between the engine and the transmission) and religious issues (Haredi Jews had problems with women sitting above and in front of them) led to gradual decline in use of these double-deckers. They were removed from the last major line operating them, the Tel-Aviv—Jerusalem line (480), in the end of the 1990s, worked for some time on local lines in the Shfela region, and in the beginning of 2000s were finally removed from service. Some of the buses were sold to an auto dealer from Jordan, who in turn sold them to Iraq and other countries of the Persian gulf.

In August 2005, three double-deckers returned to service on line 99 "Scenic route" in Jerusalem. These 3 buses were assembled from parts of 7 double-deckers that were still in storage. The operational cost for double-deckers gradually grew beyond the limit when repairs were still attractive, which led to their final removal from service in 2013.

Kuwait

In the 1980s KPTC took a number of Leyland Atlantean's. Since Deregulation one of the other main bus operators Kuwait Citybus re-introduced 56 double deckers built by King Long in 2017.

United Arab Emirates

170 Neoplan double deckers are in operation in Dubai.

Canada
An Alexander Dennis Enviro500 equipped with bike rack, servicing Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

In 2000, the cities of Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia placed an order for 10 Dennis Trident 3 buses imported from the United Kingdom, becoming the first cities in North America to use modern double-decker buses in their public transit systems. Several more orders have been placed since then,[65] and as of 2017 BC Transit operates 69 double-decker buses, including Trident 3s and the newer Alexander Dennis Enviro500s, of which 62 operate on the Victoria Regional Transit System and the remaining 7 with the Kelowna Regional Transit System.[66] In Victoria, the buses are mainly used on routes that go from downtown to the suburbs, and to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal near Sidney, B.C. They can also be found on routes that head to the University of Victoria and the Western Communities, and have proven to be very popular amongst both locals and tourists.

TransLink, the transit authority of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, tested 2 Enviro500 buses on lines 301, 311, 351, 354, 555, 601 and 620 between November 2017 and March 2018.[67] It was announced soon after that 32 double-deckers will be purchased, arriving in 2019. On 30 October 2019, TransLink's first double-decker bus made its first ever run along route 620 from the Bridgeport station in Richmond to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.[68][69]

From March 2009 to June 2012, three imported Alexander Dennis Enviro500 double-decker buses similar to those in Victoria were used on OC Transpo express routes on the Transitway in Ottawa, Ontario. Delivered in November 2008, these buses proved to be efficient in reducing costs, but their height prohibited their use on many routes. Consequently, these three buses were withdrawn and sold to Victoria in late 2012 after a new series of 75 Enviro500 buses with a lower height that met MTO regulations entered service earlier that year. As of 2018 OC Transpo has 133 of these buses.

One of GO Transit's 3.9-metre height (12 ft 9 1⁄2 in) Super-Lo double-decker buses

GO Transit, a regional transit system serving the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario is the largest user of double-decker buses in Canada, with over 150 such vehicles in service as of 2017.[70] Its fleet comprises Alexander Dennis Enviro500s in a single-door, commuter-type configuration similar to its fleet of highway coaches. The first 22 entered service between 2008 and 2009, with its 4.3-metre (14 ft 1 1⁄4 in) roof height limiting usage to the Highway 407 corridor. 105 additional buses were delivered between 2012 and 2015 and feature a lower roof height of 4.1 metres (13 ft 5 3⁄8 in). The latest series of 253 buses, which is currently built in a local factory in Vaughan, has a roof height of 3.9 metres (12 ft 9 1⁄2 in) and is expected to replace most of the single-decker coach fleet by 2020, at which point 75% of the active fleet is expected to be composed of double-deckers.[71]

Strathcona County Transit of Strathcona County, Alberta started a pilot project in September 2010[72] which explored using different high-capacity bus types to carry more passengers on high-demand commuter routes between Strathcona County and Edmonton. This involved a one-year lease of an Alexander Dennis Enviro500 from the manufacturer.[73] After completing a year of testing between September 2010 and October 2011,[74] a firm order of 14 Enviro500s was placed in 2013 for their service between Sherwood Park and downtown Edmonton, with the first arriving in late August.[75] Five more buses were ordered in 2016, bringing the fleet of double-deckers to 19 as of 2017. Strathcona County Transit currently has 24 Enviro500s in their fleet.[76]

Mexico
Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC double-decker bus on Mexico City Metrobús' new line 7 running along Calzada de los Misterios

The Mexico City Metrobús bus rapid transit system started operating a fleet of 90 Alexander Dennis Enviro500s on its new line 7, along the city's boulevard, Paseo de la Reforma, in February 2018.[77]

Panama

At least one double-decker bus is among those used on the Panama City-Colón route.

United States
A Van Hool US-specification double-decker bus in New York City, U.S.

With the exception of coaches, double-decker buses are uncommon in the United States. Many private operators, such as Megabus, run by Coach USA, employs double-decker buses on its busier intercity routes.

For publicly run transport, articulated buses are generally preferred. Nonetheless, a handful of municipal operators use double-decker buses, primarily on the West Coast.

In Davis, California, Unitrans, the student-run bus company of University of California, Davis, operates six double-decker buses imported from London. One of these buses has been converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). There was also the prototype GX-1 Scenicruiser of Greyhound Lines, which enters from the first floor: the second floor contains the driver's compartment and more seats.

Citizens Area Transit, the transit authority in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, introduced a fleet of double-deckers to serve the Las Vegas Strip route in October 2005. The route is branded as "The Deuce". As of 2009 it serviced eight lines.

In Snohomish County, Washington, Community Transit operates 45 Alexander Dennis Enviro500 double-decker buses, which are used on commuter routes between Snohomish County and Seattle. An initial order of 23 buses went into service in 2011,[78] and a second order of 17 went into service in 2015.[79] Sound Transit, another operator in the Seattle area, bought five double-decker buses through a Community Transit order and began operating their own fleet in 2015.[80] In 2016, a joint procurement between three transit agencies in Washington state ordered additional double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis. Community Transit would order 17 buses, with an option for 40, Sound Transit would receive 32 with an option for 43, and Kitsap Transit would buy 11 of their own.[81][82] As of 1/1/2020, Community Transit owns 52 and Sound Transit owns 37. Community transit purchased 23 in 2010 (10800-10822), 22 in 2015(15800-15821), and 8 in 2019(19850-19857). Sound transit purchased 5 in 2015(91501-91505) and another 32 in 2017(91701-91732). One of the 10800s has been retired, bringing the total for Community Transit from 53 to 52.

A Community Transit double-decker bus in Downtown Seattle, Washington

In San Luis Obispo, California, SLO Transit tested a double-decker bus in late 2008 to see if it would alleviate the over-crowdedness of Route 4. The borrowed bus has been returned, and SLO Transit has purchased one double-decker bus of its own using a combination of Federal, State and local funding. The bus went into operation on 8 September 2010.[83][84]

In Los Angeles County, California, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority uses double-decker buses as part of its commuter service to the Los Angeles area.[85]

Also in Los Angeles, SCRTD used Neoplan AN 122/3 Skyliners double-decker buses from the late 70s until 1993.

New York City phased out double-decker buses in 1960. They briefly returned from 1976 to 1978, although they only ran in Manhattan.[86] In 2008 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) briefly ran a Van Hool double-decker buse on several express routes.[87] However, that year's financial crisis meant the end of the trial period. In 2018, the MTA tested another double decker bus, an Alexander Dennis Enviro500 SuperLo, on the X17J express bus route between Manhattan and Staten Island. However, the MTA has no current plans to purchase double decker buses.

In San Francisco, California, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency operated one Alexander Dennis double-decker bus as a demonstrator between 12 December 2007 and 8 January 2008.[88] The bus was running on some high capacity routes as trial.[89]

In California, AC Transit began experimental use of a double-decker bus on the commuter route between Fremont, California and Stanford University in 2015.[90] On 3 December 2018 the company introduced double-deckers on its FS and J routes from Berkeley to San Francisco, and later added routes L and LA serving Richmond, El Sobrante, San Pablo and Albany. [91]

Australia
Bustech-bodied double decker in Sydney, Australia
Leyland Titan double decker bus in Sydney, Australia

Double-decker buses plied route services in Sydney from the 1920s until 1986. Popular makers included AEC, Albion and Leyland. Disputes over one-man operation of double-deckers[92] led to the phasing-out of this configuration. Double-deckers were thereafter limited to charter and tourist services.

Double-decker buses were reintroduced to the Sydney area in 2012, with Busways operating regular services from Blacktown to Rouse Hill, in Sydney's north-west. These were expanded in 2013, to traverse routes from Castle Hill and the Northern Beaches to Sydney's CBD.[93] The B-Line service uses an exclusive fleet of double-decker buses.[94][95][96]

Double-decker buses were also reintroduced to Melbourne to operate between Werribee, Wyndham Vale and Tarneit railway stations in 2015 using buses made in Melbourne.[97]

New Zealand
An AT Metro double decker Northern Busway bus at Albany Busway Station

Until 2013–14, double decker buses were used only by tour operators and for long-distance coach services operated by Intercity Coachlines and Manabus. They were not used for public transport on urban routes.

In the 1970s a number of former London double decker buses were imported for museums, such as the Museum of Transport and Technology who used AEC Regent Low Height (RLH) buses to connect museum sites and for charters. Sydney double decker and more London buses of various models (AEC Regent III RT, AEC Routemasters etc.) were imported by charter and tourist operators and slowly became more commonplace. Bridge heights and shop verandas restricted the use of double deckers around New Zealand until congestion and high public transport use required some innovative solutions.

A single double-decker bus arrived in Auckland in early March 2013 for a trial, with more planned to arrive in 2014 if the trial proved successful. The Scania K320UD bus, operated by Ritchies Transport, began revenue service on 11 March 2013 on the well-patronised Northern Express services on the Northern Busway between Albany and Britomart in downtown Auckland.[98] In addition, NZ Bus and Howick & Eastern investigated the use of double-decker buses on the Dominion Road, Mount Eden Road, and Botany to downtown routes.[99] By May 2016, double deckers were running on the busway and on many other Auckland urban routes, operated by several companies, with more to be introduced.[100]

Four 87-seat DesignLine double deckers started on Waikato services in 2018.[101] Since 15 July 2018, double deckers, including some fully electric models, have been operating in Wellington. There are currently 51 diesel double deckers running and 10 electric ones. 34 of the diesel double deckers are euro 6, while the remaining 17 are euro 5.[102]

Argentina

In Argentina, double-decker buses are the second most widely used means of transport for long-distance trips in Argentina, only after aeroplanes. Argentina is a very large country, and most trips take a large amount of time, so long-distance bus companies offer high quality services which include waiters, hot and cold beverages and regular food. For very long-distance trips, most companies offer buses with large seats that can be pulled back and be shaped into a bed. Double-decker buses are also used by tourists in Buenos Aires where they're used in city-tours.

Bolivia

In Bolivia, double-deck buses are a common means of transportation for long-distance trips between large cities such as department capitals. These buses also connect Bolivia with different countries. The double deck buses travel to Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Chile. The buses are equipped with toilets, and several companies offer buses with large seats called Leito (Bus Cama) that can be pulled back and be shaped into a bed.

Brazil

Double-decker buses are common in long-distance services interstate and international (as destined for Argentina and Paraguay). It is possible to see VIP double-decker buses also connecting cities in the same state, such as São Paulo City, Sao Jose do Rio Preto and Ribeirao Preto. Inside these buses there are one TV for each person and boarding service for example. Open double-decker are used for city tours (such as Rio de Janeiro and Bahia). In São Paulo, there was an experience of use for urban services in the 80s, but without success due to problems with the height of the vehicle. These buses are fabricated in Brazil and exported to many countries.

Ecuador
A Double-decker bus in front of the Presidential Palace in the Historic Center of Quito - World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Double-decker buses are used in city-tours in Quito, Cuenca and parts of the coast. They are very popular in the touristic district of the Historic District in Quito. Double-decker buses are common on long distance interurban trips.

Chile

Double-decker buses are common in long distance interurban trips. Open top double-decker are used in city-tours. On 9 March 2017, the British Embassy in Chile made a deal with the Public Transport Ministry in Santiago to try double-deckers for public transport.[103] On that day the first bus was tested on Santiago roads. On 26 February 2019, it was announced that another type of double-decker bus will start to be used in a particular route in Central Santiago[104]

Peru

Double-decker buses are common on long distance interurban trips to main cities of the country. Open top double-deckers are used in city tours in downtown Lima and in the tourist district of Miraflores. Pio Delgado Arguedas bought 300 Greyhound buses and was the distributor of the buses in South America and Mexico. He also created TEPSA, and was the owner for years until he sold his company.

Triple-decker buses
Knight Bus

There have been attempts to build a triple-decker bus. However such vehicles are problematic in that the high centre of gravity leads to instability and there is the risk of hitting trees or bridges. In almost all models the third level was a small compartment in the rear part of the bus, such as a triple-decker capable of carrying eighty-eight people from Rome to Tivoli in 1932[105] or the General American Aerocoach 3 Decker Bus of 1952.[106] The only three-decker with a full-length third level ever built is the Knight Bus created by John Richardson for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban cutting up two AEC Regent III RTs and putting them together. Although the AEC was merely a prop made by a special effects team for a movie, a British built ECW bodied Bristol VR double-decker bus imitation of the Knight bus was a functioning bus, which even went on tour.[107]

Comparison with articulated buses
Double-decker buses may be particularly popular along tourist-friendly routes, such as this First Kernow open-top bus in Cornwall, England

Operators worldwide must often decide between articulated and double-decker buses on popular routes. Articulated buses, entirely on one level, offer more room for disabled passengers, luggage and pushchairs; they may also be needed on routes going under low bridges or weak bridges that cannot take high axle loads. Double-decker buses, however, have a smaller road footprint and as such disrupt traffic, or block turning lanes less than articulated buses.

Double-decker buses may be more popular with passengers because of the better view, and with cyclists, who may be at less risk than they are with the unpredictable swing of an articulated bus's tail. Articulated buses normally offer more standing room while double-decker buses may sometimes (not always) offer more seats. Articulated buses have less dwell time because of the extra doors, and double-decker buses offer fewer chances for fare dodgers since there are fewer or no unmanned doors.

Collisions with bridges

There have been a significant number of incidents in which a double-decker bus has collided with a low bridge, often a railway bridge. This is often caused by the driver making a wrong turn, driving a route they are unfamiliar with, or being used to driving single-decker buses and forgetting to allow for their vehicle's extra height when driving a double-decker.

A collision with a railroad bridge by a Megabus in September 2010 at Syracuse, New York killed four passengers and injured 17.[108]

In recent years in the United Kingdom, six people had minor injuries after their bus hit a railway bridge at Stockport in July 2013.[109] A bus collided with a railway bridge at Sileby, Leicestershire in June 2014. An empty bus had its roof removed after hitting a railway bridge in Birkenhead in December 2014.[110]

In March 2015, a bus carrying 76 children hit a bridge at Staines, Surrey. Eleven passengers were taken to hospital but none were seriously injured.[111] In the same month, an empty bus had its roof removed after hitting a railway bridge in Isleworth West London.[112] A Stagecoach Highlands bus collided with a railway bridge at Balloch, Highland, Scotland in April 2015. There were no casualties, one top-deck passenger narrowly escaped injury by throwing himself to the floor.[113]

A bus operated by Bluestar had its roof removed after colliding with a railway bridge at Romsey in May 2015.[114] An incident in July 2015 in Norwood, London also resulted in the removal of the bus' roof; seven people were injured.[115] Similar incidents occurred in September 2015 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester (seventeen were injured)[116] and in Bournemouth in April 2016, with all thirty passengers escaping without injury.[117]

On 11th September 2020, a bus carrying 72 children hit a bridge, taking the complete roof off, in Winchester, Hampshire, on the way to school. Three children were seriously injured and required surgery whilst a further 12 suffered minor injuries.[118] The bus was operated by Stagecoach South.

The London Booster moving sculpture

Types of double-decker buses
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

See also

Footnotes
  1. Elbert Hubbard Little Journeys to the Homes of Good Men and Great Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine (1894–1918) William E. Gladstone The full quote is:
    Then he asked if we were going to London. On being told that we were, he spoke for five minutes about the things we should see in the Metropolis. His style was not conversational, but after the manner of a man who was much used to speaking in public or to receiving delegations. The sentences were stately, the voice rather loud and declamatory. His closing words were: "Yes, gentlemen, the way to see London is from the top of a 'bus—from the top of a 'bus, gentlemen."
  2. Sultana, Selima; Weber, Joe (18 April 2016). Minicars, Maglevs, and Mopeds: Modern Modes of Transportation Around the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-4408-3494-3.
  3. "Maximum length of vehicles used in Great Britain". GOV.UK. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  4. Felix Motors Limited 1921-1976. Retrieved 11 August 2010
  5. Contribution to victory. The Associated Equipment Co. Ltd. Page 85. Retrieved 11 August 2010
  6. Routemaster "heritage routes" Archived 9 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Axe to fall on Routemaster route". Bus & Coach Professional. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  8. Daily, Cecily Liu for China; Network, part of the Climate Publishers (18 July 2015). "Chinese-built zero-emissions electric bus prepares for service in London". the Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  9. https://austria-forum.org/, Austria-Forum. "Busverkehr in Wien - AustriaWiki im Austria-Forum". austria-forum.org. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  10. "News - Verkehrsverbund Tirol". www.vvt.at. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  11. "10 år med dobbeltdækkere i København". myldretid.dk. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  12. Kaksikerrosbussi Fölin liikenteeseen syyskuun puolivälissä – Föli (in Finnish)
  13. Turussa Lontoon malliin: Föli kokeilee kaksikerrosbussia syyskuussa – Moottori (in Finnish)
  14. "Berlin's Double-Deckers to Get Hydrogen Infusion - Germany- News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond - DW - 24.07.2002". DW.COM. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  15. Liechtenstein. "Liechtenstein Transport". Liechtenstein Marketing. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  16. https://www.vdlgroep.com/en/news/archief/2017/100-electric-vdl-citeas-and-18-vdl-futura-double-deckers-for-connexxion
  17. https://weekbladvoorouderamstel.nl/lokaal/klachtenlawine-bij-connexxion-321067
  18. "Dubbeldekkers: hoog comfort in het ov - OV-Magazine". www.ovmagazine.nl. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  19. Sinisa Jakov Marusic. "Skopje prepares for Double-Decker Buses". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  20. Fadnes, Jon Kristian (18 June 2008). "Kjør dobbelt". Dagsavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  21. КУЧЕРЯВЫХ, Алексей (18 October 2016). "Что стало с барнаульским двухэтажным автобусом?". KP.RU - сайт «Комсомольской правды» (in Russian). Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  22. Андрей Михайлов (January 2016). ""Этажерка" по-немецки". Грузовик Пресс.
  23. "Фотоархив Петербургского Автобуса — 90-е". Отечественный Автобус.
  24. "Bilbao Picture Gallery".
  25. "Leyland Gets Stockholm's Order - 11th June 1965". The Commercial Motor Archive. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  26. "First Postbuses from the United Kingdom". Postauto.ch. 19 May 2017.
  27. Al-Youm, Al-Masry (17 March 2018). "Double-decker buses hit Cairo roads for the first time". egyptindependent.com. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  28. "Double Decker Buses Come to Ethiopia". Expo Group. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  29. West, Kenya (10 October 2018). "Mombasa County Launches Open Roof Double Decker Sightseeing Busses As Joho's Goverment [sic] Strives To Boost The Tourism Industry". KenyaInsights.com. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  30. "Have You Seen Sonko's Double Decker Bus..? It's Now a 'City Shuttle'". NairobiWire.com. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  31. "National Bus Double Deck Coaches Back on the Road". Nyasa Times. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  32. "Our Routes". intercape.co.za. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  33. "About the City - Buses". Joburg.org.za. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  34. "Restructuring of Business Services" (PDF). City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. p. 68-82. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  35. Morris, Mariska (8 November 2019). "Double-Deckers Make a Comeback With MAN". Focus on Transport. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  36. "Juldan Motors". timbu.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  38. "seoul-to-get-double-decker-buses-to-ease-overcrowding/". Wall Street Journal. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  39. Frederick, Prince (18 August 2015). "A view from the upper deck". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  40. Ahmed, Aroosa (9 October 2018). "Mumbai's iconic double- decker buses to be phased out by 2023". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  41. "Double-decker service for techies | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  42. "'Double-decker' buses turn popular". Deccan Chronicle. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  43. "Sejarah Leyland Titan, Bus tingkat pertama di Indonesia". Awansan.com (in Indonesian). 29 February 2016.
  44. Angga Yudha Pratomo (17 January 2014). "Cerita bus tingkat jumbo di Jakarta era 1990-an". Merdeka (in Indonesian). Jakarta.
  45. "Lukewarm response on first day of double-decker buses". The Jakarta Post. 25 February 2014.
  46. Dewanti A. Wardhani (30 September 2014). "Jakartans take advantage of double-decker tour buses". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta.
  47. "Wisata Kota". Transjakarta (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  48. Solo to operate rail bus and double decker Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  49. Werkudoro Come to Solo Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  50. "Kota Bandung Resmi Operasikan Bus Wisata "Bandros"". www.antaranews.com. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  51. "Kelab Peminat Sejarah & Gambar Lama (Facebook)". Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  52. "Double-decker Rapid bus plan for Penang next". The Rakyat Post. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  53. York, F W; Phillips, A R (1996). Singapore: A History of its Trams, Trolleybuses & Buses, Volume One 1880s to 1960s. Croydon, Surrey, UK: DTS Publishing. ISBN 1-900515-00-8.
    • York, F W (2009). Singapore: A History of its Trams, Trolleybuses & Buses, Volume Two 1970s to 1990s. Croydon, Surrey, UK: DTS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-900515-01-6.
  55. Davis, Mike; Phillips, Ron (2006). Singapore Buses Volume 1 Singapore Bus Service Part 2. DTS Publishing. ISBN 9781900515269.
  56. "CNA: Three-door bus takes to the road in 6-month trial". Tower Transit Singapore. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  57. "Land Transport Guru: MAN A95 – Lion's City DD (3-Door) Concept Bus".
  58. 100 Three-door Double-Decker Buses Procured by LTA Land Transport Guru 25 April 2019
  59. "Land Transport Guru: Yutong E12DD".
  60. "Land Transport Guru: New Bus for London visits Singapore".
  61. "Land Transport Guru: Go-Ahead Group New Bus for London visits Singapore".
  62. Double-decker safe for Bukidnon, firm says
  63. https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/bac-thong-tin-ngung-hoat-dong-xe-buyt-2-tang-dau-tien-o-sai-gon-20190525124242943.htm
  64. Here and below: ויינשטוק, צבי. "סיפורו של הקומתיים באגד". Egged (in Hebrew). Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  65. Bus fleet getting 16 more double-deckers Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  66. "BC Transit Strategic Plan - BC Transit Background". Busonline.ca. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  67. "TransLink launches double-decker bus pilot project". The Buzzer blog. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  68. "Daily Hive". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  69. "TransLink's first double-decker bus officially hits the streets in Metro Vancouver". CBC. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  70. "GOTransit.com - New Buses". GO Transit. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  71. "GO adding new, lower double-deck buses to its fleet - Transit Toronto - Weblog". transittoronto.ca. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  72. "Double-decker Project :: Strathcona County". Strathcona.ab.ca. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  73. http://strathcona.ab.ca/departments/Transit/6563.aspx%5B%5D
  74. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  75. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  76. "Double-decker buses". Strathcona County. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  77. Suárez, Gerardo. "Inician pruebas con pasajeros en Línea 7 del Metrobús". El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  78. Salyer, Sharon (1 April 2011). "Community Transit rolls out the double-deckers". The Everett Herald. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  79. Haglund, Noah (29 September 2015). "Community Transit set to get new double-decker buses rolling". The Everett Herald. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  80. Lindblom, Mike (25 March 2014). "Sound Transit to add double-decker buses in 2015". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  81. "Community Transit Orders 57 Buses for Expansion" (Press release). Everett, Washington: Community Transit. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  82. "Ride taller: Sound Transit orders 32 more double decker transit buses" (Press release). Sound Transit. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  83. San Luis Obispo Deputy Director of Public Works, Tim Bochum, 9 July 2010
  84. "Double-decker bus makes its debut | Local News". SanLuisObispo.com. 7 September 2010. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  85. "Board Meetings". AVTA. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  86. Neuman, William (22 May 2008). "M.T.A. Might Bring Back Double-Decker Buses". City Room. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  87. "NEW 'OLD' BUS IS ON DECK". New York Post. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  88. "Double Decker Bus Trial SFMTA Fact Sheet". Sfmta.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  89. "Double Deck Bus Test Schedule". Sfmta.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  90. Steve Rubenstein (25 February 2015). "Double-decker bus gives Stanford commuters a fresh perspective". San Francisco Chronicle.
  91. https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/ac-transit-transbay-bus-double-decker-price-fare-13447719.php
  92. Dean, John. "The Sydney Atlantean Bus Dispute, 1970-71". asslh.org.au. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  93. Saulwick, Jacob (24 August 2012). "Room at the top: double-deckers return to Sydney". smh.com.au. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  94. New B-Line to transform Northern Beaches Bus travel Transport for NSW 9 November 2015
  95. Mike Baird's B-Line rapid bus routes for northern beaches Sydney Morning Herald 9 November 2015
  96. Thousands of new transport services starting at a stop, wharf and station near you Transport for NSW 15 October 2017
  97. Carey, Adam (29 May 2015). "Melbourne-made double-decker bus ready to rumble when Regional Rail Link opens". theage.com.au. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  98. Dearnaley, Matthew (6 March 2012). "Len Brown catches Auckland's first double-decker". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  99. Dearnaley, Matthew (21 February 2012). "Double deckers on way for commuters". The New Zealand Herald. p. A13. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  100. "More Double Deckers on Auckland Roads". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  101. "Scoop Business » Waikato's public transport steps up a level". business.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  102. "Wellington's new double-decker buses arrive as city gets set for a commuter shake-up". Stuff.co.nz. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  103. http://santiagotimes.cl/2017/03/09/photos-double-decker-buses-coming-to-santiago/
  104. https://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2019/02/26/939232/Como-es-el-nuevo-bus-de-dos-pisos-que-circulara-por-Santiago.html
  105. "Three-Deck Auto Bus Carries Eighty-Eight Persons". Popular Mechanics. Chicago: H. H. Windsor, Jr. August 1932. p. 286. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  106. "Old Bus Photos". staleycoach.com. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  107. "A Brief History of Triple-Decker Buses: The Reality". hoaxes.org. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  108. "N.J. driver in fatal Megabus N.Y. crash charged with criminally negligent homicide". www.nj.com. Associated Press. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  109. "Roof ripped off double decker bus in railway bridge crash". The Daily Telegraph. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  110. Siddique, Haroon (7 December 2014). "Roof of doubledecker bus sliced off in crash in Birkenhead". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  111. Stubbings, David (27 March 2015). "Staines bus crash recap: Vehicle taking schoolchildren from Essex to Thorpe Park hit bridge". Get Surrey. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  112. Mann, Sebastian (14 March 2015). "Roof ripped off double-decker in crash with rail bridge in west London". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  113. "Driver who ripped roof off £47k Stagecoach bus by crashing into a bridge was filmed on his phone". Daily Record. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  114. Ford, Emily (28 May 2015). "Roof ripped off bus as it crashes into bridge in Romsey". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  115. Boyle, Danny (19 July 2015). "Norwood bus crash: Seven hurt as roof ripped off London double-decker". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  116. Gayle, Damien (9 September 2015). "Rochdale bus crash: roof ripped off as double-decker hits bridge". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  117. "Bus roof ripped off in Bournemouth bridge crash". BBC News. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  118. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-54116518
  119. "Summer Holiday". busesonscreen.net. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  120. "London Booster 2". Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  121. Lawless, Jill (2 August 2012). "Olympic houses turn London into global party". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2012. APhouses
  122. Crane, Jonathan (8 August 2012). "Czech House in London draws Olympic crowds". Prague Post. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  123. "Here Come the Double Deckers". tv.com. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  124. ezoom.com.br. "Marcopolo - Rodoviários – Paradiso 1800 DD". www.marcopolo.com.br. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  125. "Volvo in Mexico". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.