Top deck of bus

[Earl Aelfheah]

I need to vent. Why is it that people won't use the top deck of the bus? I had to force my way on to the bus today and push my way to the stairs. Got to the top deck and it was half empty. Getting off, again, I had to force my way to the exit. Why don't people fill up the seats before blocking all the isles, entrances and exits? People weren't able to board a half empty bus.

You might assume that people just haven't realised that there is space upstairs. However, this morning the driver wouldn't leave a stop because people weren't moving down to clear the doors. Then someone near the stairs shouted, 'there are seats upstairs'. I looked at them. blinked. Said, "sorry?" Then someone else (also between the entrance and the stairs) said "there are seats upstairs if you want to climb up there". I wasn't sure what to do.

So after a brief hesitation I pushed my way through to the stairs and up to a half empty top deck. People were just standing there. Any one of them could have just moved up themselves, but no, they would rather block the way on and off the bus and leave it to others to push past them.

I genuinely don't know what to make of it.

[????]

Shhhhh

we like it up here all quiet and that

[*Bob*]

Maybe if they found the fool that decided it would be a great idea to remove the opening windows at the front on the top deck, shoot him - then spend a few quid putting them back in - the rediscovered adequate ventilation might make it more pleasant up there.

[Earl Aelfheah]

The thing is though, it can't be more comfortable standing, stubbornly blocking the entrance to the bus, catching bags and elbows as people shove past you.

Also, it really wasn't that hot this morning.

[Blah Blah]

My wife dislikes the top deck because of the stairs. She finds them fine to go up, but too steep and dangerous when coming down. Could that be a reason? I can understand why people with any kind of mobility problem wouldn't want to go there, but perhaps the able bodied find the stairs a challenge too?

[Earl Aelfheah]

That is possible Blah.

[aquarius moon]

Personally I think it depends where people are getting off. I use buses regularly. If I'm doing a longer journey or getting off at a busy stop, I'll go upstairs to sit down.

But if it's a short journey or I'm getting off at a stop that's hardly used, I'll stand as near the doors as possible. Fighting my way through a crowd to get off the bus is stressful and I always worry about the driver closing the door and pulling away before I've even got there.

[Earl Aelfheah]

aquarius moon Wrote:

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> Personally I think it depends where people are

> getting off. I use buses regularly. If I'm doing a

> longer journey or getting off at a busy stop, I'll

> go upstairs to sit down.

> But if it's a short journey or I'm getting off at

> a stop that's hardly used, I'll stand as near the

> doors as possible. Fighting my way through a crowd

> to get off the bus is stressful and I always worry

> about the driver closing the door and pulling away

> before I've even got there.

It is stressful to have to to fight your way through a crowd to exit the bus, but if you take to standing by the doors, blocking the exit, then you are creating exactly this situation for others.

If you're only going a few stops then it may well be easier for you to stand, but it's also likely to inconvenience others trying to get on and off the bus. So perhaps it's best to find a seat instead of causing an unnecessary obstruction.

[DulwichFox]

Some people may well be going just a couple of stops and as they have a Bus Pass and not willing to walk.

I generally go upstairs as I do not uses buses or short journeys..

Also some people may well have problems negotiating the stairs on a moving bus especially when getting off.

Other people are nervous about going upstairs as most bus crime takes place upstairs with people being attacked

or robbed of their phone / wallet.

DulwichFox

[Nigello]

I share the confusion, RRR. I think they are only going a few stops and think that they have the right to clog up the passageqay. As for expecting passengers to move down - there's more likelihood of Louisa opening a charm school. Ask the driver to check on how many seats are free if you board a (seemingly) crowded bus and make an announcement to passengers or just ask the blockers to move on up/down. It's better than standing and seething.

The takeaway, as Americans say, is that some people are selfish and some bus routes need more vehicles.

[BrandNewGuy]

And some people are perfectly able-bodied, get on the bus, stand in the exit doors and travel for more than just a few stops. The reason? They're lazy and selfish numpties.

[Ladygooner]

I also hate the people who stand on the bottom step of the stairs preventing people going up or down! As from crime upstairs - I have travelled on the top of buses for 20 years and never experienced this

[Earl Aelfheah]

.

[Otta]

I much prefer it upstairs.

If it's during school run time I guess some people may avoid in order to avoid loud groups of teenagers taking the piss out of each other. I generally find that funny.

[*Bob*]

Upstairs is also brilliant because there's usually some really interesting sounding music coming out of a tiny phone speaker.

Or if you're lucky, two or more different types of really interesting sounding music coming out of two or more tiny phone speakers.

[Jennys]

Many people who use the bus have mobility problems or are carrying heavy bags or are worried about using the bus stairs, especially because buses often stop suddenly. Everyone should, I agree of course, try not to block the doors and stairs.

[Jah Lush]

You get the best view of London upstairs front seat. Downstairs is for sissies.

[*Bob*]

Unless it's raining and humid - in which case you don't get a view of much at all (unless you're prepared to wipe the condensed breath of strangers off the glass with your sleeve every two minutes, like a human windscreen wiper)

[Jah Lush]

Be honest *Bob*, when was the last time you went anywhere on a bus?

[Louisa]

I bet *Bob* hasn't been on a bus in years. A secret Range Rover driver if ever there was one.

Louisa.

[JohnL]

Some people used to be scared of upstairs (really) I've no idea why

(though understand the falling and baggage bit)

On non-Boris busses you can open the windows upstairs on a hot day :)

[*Bob*]

Louisa Wrote:

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> I bet *Bob* hasn't been on a bus in years. A

> secret Range Rover driver if ever there was one.

>

> Louisa.

Not a fan of big flash dumb cars as it goes.

Mr Lush - I will be 'bussing it' this very afternoon. The anticipation and excitement is beginning to build already.

[sjsl]

Agree with JL, upstairs front seat everytime for me...

[Otta]

I don't like the front seat, I always think we're going to crash in to things. But I do like to be upstairs looking out the window.

I do honestly think that some people feel less safe upstairs though, which is fine. Just don['t stand in the fecking stairwell!

[Earl Aelfheah]

I like to think of the downstairs as the 'General Issues / Gossip' section and the top deck as 'The Lounge'