I'll be honest man, I had little to no interest in buses/transportation in general, until I clicked one of your videos. You're a great communicator of information, the editing is hilarious and so are you. Keep it up, i'm subscribed!!!
Hey James, I’m a train/bus/transit nut from the US living in Japan currently. Most of the focus internationally is always on the “bullet train” Shinkansen high speed rail network here, but we actually have a nationwide fixed route intercity bus system that usually costs half of what a bullet train ticket costs. Heavier trafficked routes also use double decker buses, but they must stick to regular highway routes. Bendy buses aren’t much of a thing here with the narrow streets (city coaches are about 12m/30’ max) but we do have a few trunk routes in major cities with them operating.
Hey Jason! Thanks for commenting. That is some great info you wrote down here I really appreciate it. I love reading about insights and perspectives from other countries on this industry.
the Yokohama-Fukuoka sleeper Highway-bus is effectively a 4 decker with two levels of capsules on each of two levels... that is probably the biggest I saw in these 12 years in Japan... in India, multilevel Tata buses can also get massive... as for articulate buses, there is a Neighborhood articulated bus in Adakuji-Kameyama (Tochigi city)... its but 8m long in total, but the streets around the temple are so narrow that was the only way they could get it to fit.
In Strathcona County, Alberta, they have 24 double decker transit buses in service today, going to and through parts of downtown Edmonton. Just one of those rare occurrences of double decker buses in North America I thought you might like.
Somewhere I learned Strathcona County chose double decker buses over the articulated ones used by St. Albert because easier to maneuver through residential neighborhoods. Even then routes had to be carefully planned and trees removed from certain areas. Articulated buses are also more of a nuisance in the winter.
I've been on one of those Prevost H560 articulated coaches. It was a chorus tour from St. Louis east to Boston then south to Hickory, NC. When we left St. Louis, there was sleet, which turned to heavier snow the further east we went; our driver maneuvered that beast in some pretty deep snow-covered roads at our first destination. He was able to swing that thing around downtown Boston with professional ease, too! Sadly, the engine didn't end up doing too well following the drive over the Appalachians back north from North Carolina into Ohio; the charter company had to send rescue (a shorter coach with a trailer for our luggage) which met us in Terre Haute, IN. Our director had always wanted to charter that bus. That year, we finally had a tour chorus big enough to warrant it. I often wonder what the charter company did with it following our tour.
I'll say this: I would *happily* be one of the testers to see if one of those could transit UK roads safely. Especially if the power steering is off... 💪🚌🇬🇧❤🔥
There was something you missed here. There is a transit service here in the US that does use double deckers. Las Vegas RTCSNV uses them on a few routes. The BHX (Boulder Highway Express) and Duce (Strip route)(Not Express). These are also made by Alexander Denis which has a contract to supply them with new buses in the future. These buses are 3 axel 2 stair buses. With the BHX being 3 axel 1 stair buses. These buses have been running with he city since 2006 I believe They are the only public transit in the country that run these buses. Also nice to see Albuquerque's old buses on this. FYI They no longer have these ugly buses. They replaced them with 2019 New Flyers Xcelsior on the 766 and 777 . Yes I use to live in Las Vegas NV and now currently live in Albuquerque.
It’s amazing at how much this has picked up lately. Here in the Seattle area, community transit uses them on their commuter routes between Snohomish and king counties (Everett/ Lynnwood to Seattle/ Bellevue). Also translink (Vancouver bc) uses them on commuter routes as well. So it’s not true even at the time of Joshua’s posting that Las Vegas was the only public transit agency In the us to run these vehicles. (Community transit has been running them for about ten years) It will be interesting to see what further changes happen too.
I've used _The Deuce_ a few times on previous vacations to the US, and as a British person the significance of getting a double-deck bus on that side of the Atlantic never once occurred to me. The only thing that felt at all different to our ones was the fact that the layout was mirrored, as we drive on the left of course. ⬅🇬🇧🚌😇 What really *grated* me about _The Deuce_ were the *Bloody annoying* announcements that just wouldn't shut-up and made even the short hop from mid-strip to Fremont a total nightmare. Especially hearing _„Stop Requested“_ in the most patronising tone possible several times over. Did nobody consider why other British-built buses tend to rely on a simple bell and a „Bus Stopping“ light? 🔔💡🛑😇 Oh sod-it. For any historical value it might hold (from my hazy 15-year old memories of Feb 2007)... 😇 🔊 _„Hop on, ride The Deuce! Two dollars one-way, five dollars all day!“_ [There might've been a bit after this, but can't remember clearly.]
9:05, this wouldn't create issues because the luggage coff is designed to be hung on metal bars with 2 hinges so that an empty coffin could swing open like a door, allowing easy access to the engine compartment. I say this as a experienced coach driver having done many miles on a vanHool.
In Canada the OC Transpo of Ottawa operates several double decker busses as well the GO Transit system of Ontario operates double decker busses , as well as double deck trains.
@@MotorcoachWorld The current model that GO Transit is buying is 13' tall, custom built for this transit agency to fit in most bus depots, etc. Of course, not as much need for luggage on a commuter transit regional bus.
Hi James, I'm a bus driver/driving instructor from New Zealand, I'm also a Chinese, my parents want becoming a doctor too.😂 By the way, the length of 3-axle BCI double decker is 12.5m
Hi 皮皮熊猫 . Thank you for commenting. That is Hilarious. That is Chinese parents for you. LOL Thanks for the info on the BCI! I have seen a few of them operating here in the US.
Very glad I finally watched this video! I have been neglecting the 🚌 side of my transportation fandom for a while now. But your presentation style and vocal attributes have enticed me to take a dive back in. A great channel discovery. 🙂 Thank you!!
Here in Seattle the double decker buses are now very common for our suburban commuter routes. Seattle/Tacoma, Sea/Everett, Sea/Lakewood, Sea/Bellevue and a few others runs every half hour during commute time. In order to do that Sound Community Transit had to buy a whole lot of them. When we have a baseball and soccer match at the same time on a commuter weekday the get packed. It can get so packed that every seat top and bottom are full and people are standing in the walkway front to back top and bottom. In town our highest traffic routes use articulated buses. We have both diesel electric hybrid and fully electric versions. There are a hand full of routes with overhead power wires for these electric buses. I have seen two issues with the articulated buses breaking in half at the bend. We have some very, very steep streets in Seattle. We do not get snow and ice often but when we do the rear drive axle can sometimes slip and push the rear to the right/left. At the same time the center weight axle forward of the bend can go the opposite direction. If this happens and the bus then starts to slide backward the articulating joint sometimes breaks open. I have seen it three times in 15 years. The second time was a bus that slide backward on ice but was straight that broke through a guard rail at the bottom of the hill. The rear ended up hanging 25ft over Interstate 5 but the center weight axle stayed on the pavement holding everything. The articulation joint cracked open but did not break completely off.
When the university (Rutgers) near me first got articulated buses, I wondered to myself if they ever had problems with the two halves going in different directions. It seemed like something that could happen on ice/snow, just like you described. That's so uncanny; I hadn't thought about that for the longest time, lol. So weird what we remember.
Oh wow! Was that your bus?? That is awesome! Thank you for taking the time to comment! I wish i could see one and get inside one day. I have always wanted to see in person what they are like!
Here in Victoria, BC we have had double-deck buses in transit service for over 20 years - in fact, the first generation is scheduled for retirement over the next few years. When they first started service, BC Transit (the operating company) paid for a railway bridge on a busy route to be raised to accommodate them. The reason they decided on double deckers, rather than articulated buses, was the small and relatively congested bus zones in the downtown area.
Hey Ed. Thanks for the info. Yes I made a mistake when making that comment. I corrected myself on the next video. It seems there are plenty of double decker transit buses operating in North America. Thanks for commenting.
Here in Toronto, double decker buses aren’t used by the local transit corporation, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), but they are used in great numbers for intercity trips, that are owned and operated by the province, called GO transit (aka Government of Ontario), which operates both buses and double decker trains they connect all of suburbia to the downtown core. The TTC did a study on using double decker buses, but because the city has so many overhead wires for the streetcars (also called LRT’S or trams in other city’s) and low bridges, it just was not an option, so they opted for the articulated buses, plus street cars, which not many cities have, as they run along City streets, and are a real pain in the ass if you’re trying to drive down that same street. The street cars are only in the downtown core, running along all major arteries, but good luck trying to get around one if you get stuck behind them! The latest thing for Toronto are electric buses, as we strive to become carbon neutral, we are trying to phase out all diesel operated vehicles, which are mostly older busses, that belch out too much exhaust. The strange thing is, because we already have electrified lines for the street cars, I don’t know why they didn’t use electric buses all this time. 30 years ago, they had An entire fleet of electric buses, but for some reason they scrapped all of them, and turned to diesel. It’s only now that they’re finally going back to electric buses, but these ones don’t rely on overhead wires, but are instead fully independent, and amazingly quiet.
Came here to post the same thing! Being a Brit living in Canada, I always found the lack of Double deckers strange - my entire life until moving to Canada I'd travelled on Double Deckers almost daily!. So when Go started operating them ( and made by Dennis back home no less! ) I was happy to see them. Now Dennis has their plant here and the new busses look awesome - especially in the new Go branding.
Al Redpath, Canadian living in U.K. I got to travel on one of the GO busses between uSt Catherine's and TO. They are made in Scotland by Alexander Dennis.
@@jocelynstephens7058 initially they were made back home by Alexander Dennis and exported here, but they’ve now opened a plant in Vaughn to manufacture them
Al Redpath, it's complicated... Alexander Denis was purchased by New Flyer Industries (NFI) of Winnipeg Manitoba in May 2019 (they also bought Plaxton). Not sure but I think that the Vaughn plant is to add the GO Transit bits, but like I say not sure. The first ones left the U.K. all painted up and good to go. I did read an interesting article on how they were shipped to Halifax N.S. and driven to Ontario. I was a little surprised that that I could not pay by card as the GO Transit version does not have internet connectivity (It was a couple of years ago). I get the impression that Megabus is on the decline over here, they have dropped there service across Europe about 2 years ago. They used Volvo with double decker Plaxton bodies. Used it to go to Spain quite a few times. (But formally from Calidonia Rd in Toronto).
Enjoyed the video James. My son drives the articulated buses for the Toronto Transit Commission. The GO Transit buses in Ontario are almost all double decker now.
That was a very informative vid, thank you. From 1998 to 2008 I was a stage carriage and bus driver. I found the double deckers a little bit daunting to drive. But the larger motor coaches were easier to drive somehow. Very few drivers argue with coaches, I presume that’s what it was. Does anyone else find this....??
As a British person living close to where these were built, I will apologise for all the smoke and the terrible fuel efficiency. Our cooking oil is a little bit different to your diesel... 🙃 I *won't* apologise for the _darned annoying_ announcements they play at *every* stop, though. Pretty sure that Alexander Dennis don't offer those on their vehicles. 😉
OK same boat but I'm wondering why there's only three comments on a comment that's been liked 26 times. Although I'm somewhat skeptical that RUclips algorithm saw trams in technology connections and suggested this.
Just stumbled across your video. I have spend many years driving buses and coaches in Australia and now the U.K. Your video is entertaining and informative. I have driven many makes and models over the years, from MCI’s and Eagles in Australia through to Van Hools, Irizars, Setras just to name a few.I guess the most memorable job I had was with Top Deck Travel in Australia in the early 80’s when I drove a British Bristol FLF Lodekka double decker bus on a regular tour from Sydney to Perth, a distance of 2500 miles. The passengers slept and ate on the bus and the journey took 14 days.I’ll check out your other videos. Subbed, Cheers.
Hi Liam Doyle! Thank you for the comment. That is awesome. Much respect for you and your profession. I love meeting bus drivers from other countries and reading their perspective on the industry from different cultures. Sounds like you have done a lot! Your experience is valuable!
your channel needs more subs and views... .your information is great and you know so much about buses and coaches. I wonder if Australia has bigger buses because it has larger roads
Funnily enough? Greyhound are owned by First Group...And they're *also* from Perth, Scotland! 😳 We English might've tried - And failed - To dominate the U.S. by colonial means...But the Scots have done a pretty good job of monopolising modern U.S. ground transportation! 😋
I work for a public transit agency here in California, that provides service between Oakland San Francisco, Berkeley, Hayward, Richmond, Fremont and many more cities in the east and west bay. We have been using Double Decker's made by Alexander-Dennis now for several years, and the agency has plans to increase the fleet beyond the current inventory of 25 in the coming years.
I rode in a Prevost H560 during ski vacation in Banff, Alberta around 1997. The coach was serving as a shuttle from the major hotels to the nearby ski areas. The ride was brief but on rural highway, probably hitting 100 km/h for much of the trip. Roads were clear and dry... I wondered how that beast handled in the snow that fell frequently in the area. Only one I have ever seen.
I'm going to guess you're from Hamburg? 🚌🚌🚌🇩🇪❤🔥😇 I absolutely *loved* those when they were in service, especially the unique sensation from sitting on the nearside (Where I'm from 🇬🇧 the drivers side) and being able to look _perpendicular_ through the front of the bus as it made right-hand turns! 😳 I so wish we'd bought them from der Hochbahn when they took them out of service. Sod UK road „maximums“, these would *smash* capacity problems on my local No. 1 bus route! ❣
Great video. My local regional Rail and bus commuter service uses Dennis enviro 500 low roof bi level buses. It was nice to learn more about coaches and bi level busses. and I see lots of people have touched on Canada's Bi level busses.
as a former london bus driver i found this very interesting and educational,i have since left the buses and moved over to the coach side,since we can drive both on the same pcv, passenger carring vehicle licence,the best double deckers in london are the wright body vwh made by volvo,or the volvo evo seti.both i have driven,when i was training we used old dennis dart buses for training,and it was not until we went to garage then we got to drive double deckers, now most bus companies train drivers in the enviro 400s to get them used to driving double deckers,as they behave differently to single deckers,obviously due to height,,
Your video was well researched, informative and interesting. You see plenty of Big Bus tourist double-deckers in big US cities, like SF and NY - typically from Alexander-Dennis. Having spent 9 years living in London riding on a variety of double-deck buses, I can say that the Auckland, NZ fleet of double-deck buses are nicer, longer and cleaner.
Check out the Mercedes O404 modified by Rotel Tours with triple deck sleeper section at the rear. They used to visit my hometown Valdez, Alaska during the summers. Seriously impressive big orange bus!
I used to see those same buses going through Vancouver in the 1990s...complete with German plates, if I recall correctly! Here's a link to a photo of one such bus, near San Francisco in 1993: www.flickr.com/photos/51227209@N03/8636813422/in/photostream/
I really enjoyed riding a double-decker when I stayed in Hong Kong and Singapore. It was a great way to see the city. If not crowded I always take the first row on the top deck.
My brother was a bus enthusiast during the 1980s. His collection of scale models (Mostly Die Cast Metal) was huge and he had four 6ft by 4ft wall mounted display cases around his room. When he left home to get married, he sold the whole collection (as well as his other collection of Historic Commercial Vehicles) and made a huge profit on them, as some of them were limited editions. So in this country (the UK), there is a big collector's Scene for models, and there are quite a few Regular magazines in the shops for enthusiasts. My interest is more in the railroad model scene, but I do have a few buses on the layout.
When I lived in Germany I lived in town but school was on the Army base. We had charter buses that would drive to all the outlaying military housing and random city kids like me. It would take 45min to an 1 hour 20min to get to school depending on traffic. My school bus was a double decker charter bus that had a small kitchen facility on it and a stewardess that would sale us breakfast sandwiches in the morning and bratwurst sandwiches or candy in the afternoon. It was great.
2:212:31 I was born on April 22nd too and I've been on many double decker buses all over the UK. I grew up with a fascination with Buses, my friend is even more into Buses as he has so many Bus models that he gets from Toy Fares.
Very entertaining video. About double-deckers in the US, I clearly remember catching one in Las Vegas, around August 2006, from the Strip to downtown, and then back. My daughter (6 at the time) made a BIG DEAL out of sitting on the top floor, which is why it stuck in my mind! So that was one city which did have double-deckers.
10:40 Van Hool has them as well. It's just a bit shorter than the Volvo one, but you see them in Europe sometimes in even cities with a population of 300k.
In UK and Europe Van Hool do a version based on the double decker that put the lower deck back to a larger luggage deck. A single set of stairs at the front for access. Operators refer to it as a cruise special as it takes the extra luggage people need for going on cruises. The driver can get rather isolated as the passenger deck is full length, so the driver has restricted space.
Hi Neil Williams. That is really interesting. I really appreciate the info! This is the best part of making these videos, Reading replies like yours. Thank you so much for that bit of info!
This guy is a legend. Made a mundane topic interesting. Look forward to videos on ; Mud Worms Trash cans Garbage Trucks The moon Bird poop Grass Soil Etc etc etc
RUclips recommendations: hereby I declare you like buses. Me: I solemnly swear my loyalty to buses and to happily carry the title of “Bus Nut” so help me God.
Sweet!! Thanks for this very informative video. I'm from Jamaica and we use VDL Volvo engine buses and coaches here, articulated included too. We also have a couple of bi-articulated Viale Volvo buses too, think only one in service. Also have a KingLong Double decker operated by a coach company.
8:28 That's right, those double deck coaches really struggle with luggage capacity. I've often seen having to tow a trailer that is presumably carrying the excess.
Tha last Neoplan is pretty. I rode one of the older ones as a rental, when I was working as support crew for a music band. It was super comfortable: there were ~40 people in total, but we managed to squeeze all the equipment into it. Saved ton of cash on dedicated truck, even tough rental was expensive.
The Algorithm wins again. Growing up in Scotland I was on double deckers every day going across Glasgow. Now in Australia I still miss them as the top deck was a great way to see the world. Ps also subscribed👍
Thank you so much. I love hearing from drivers from other parts of the world and getting their perspective on this industry. Reading your comment was a treat.
Love your videos... I'm a newbie,1 year driving part time. All times driving Prevost..until yesterday that my bus started give trouble and company switch us to a MCI....(wasn't familiar with this bus at all) but I make my way to destination. thanks for your video (what r all this buttons for) I learned a lot about... thanks again...!!! from Atlanta Georgia..
@@MotorcoachWorld the GO Transit network uses a lot of double deckers in the Greater Toronto Area as well. Not sure if you're counting that since it's part of a regional commuter service, not local transit.
We have some double-deckers running up and down I-5 here in the Seattle area for Sound Transit. They run folks in to the city from park-and-rides out in the suburbs.
@@MotorcoachWorld They will more then likely be the Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 builds / Older style body work. I Think some of the MMC's were ordered for certain parts of the US Too but allot of countries world wide now are ordering from ADL I Think this plus there eco friendly systems easy maintenance ect is now putting them as one of the most industry leading manufactures world wide. For instance Wright bus went bust but got saved where as ADL Were & Still going all though that they dominate the market round the world now with there buses being built for ease of use and fuel efficiency plus they are part of Plaxton Coach & Bus Builders so that is another part of the market they are dominating with all the coaches a heck of allot in the UK. P.S First time viewer just seen one of your videos pop up on my RUclips home page so this is the first video of yours I Have watched still hit that sub button though 😁
@@user-PK-23 Thank you Peter. Appreciate the sub and all this great info. This is the best part of releasing videos, reading these great pieces of knowledge. really appreciate the comment.
@@MotorcoachWorld Hey matey ! No problem at all 😁I Look forward to seeing more from you ! I Did add more to my last comment but at the moment RUclips seems to have a habit of deleting my stuff or not posting even when it was posted if that makes sense I Go to edit somethings then press save it fails then deletes all together really bugs me when it happens but still you know this is modern technology ! So as for Seattle there double decks are the original style Enviro 500's which are tri axel made mainly for KMB In china originally but exported across the world there was some of the original body ones made for Australia there was a demonstrator in all over white for over there the slogan being, "Reaching New Heights in Australia" The only picture I Can really find is here on Flickr but there is a lot more of it, www.flickr.com/photos/25653307@N03/2633145374 Now as we go on to the MMC Build it was a whole new range for ADL To bring them back to the top of there game they called it MMC For something to do with the model changes and shapes it's something like Major Model Creation Below you will find links to the videos from ADL To show how they have done these buses they actually are the only manufacture to involve the bus companies they were marketed for in the design and choices of what should be there or should not be there ect drivers managers engineers all had a say in the creation of the MMC Design. Video One: The all new ADL Enviro200 ruclips.net/video/O_wnMOO_HpA/видео.html&ab_channel=AlexanderDennisLimited Video 2: The Story behind the Enviro400 ruclips.net/video/XKh3tGIKvGk/видео.html&ab_channel=AlexanderDennisLimited So as we go on some more things that have come out of the ADL MMC Deal was a special type body only seen so far in the USA,Enviro500 (North America) Named the Enviro 500 Super Low. A Link to the ADL Website which showcases this bus and pictures can be found below, www.alexander-dennis.com/products/double-deck-buses-3-axle/enviro500-north-america/ Now I Think it was late 2019 early 2020 when ADL Broke new ground in Berlin with the new order for BVG Berlin in this article below you will find this info as well as pictures of the new style buses for that region of the world, BVG Berlin presents first two Enviro500 double-deckers from Alexander Dennis www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/bvg-berlin-presents-first-two-enviro500-double-deckers-from-alexander-dennis/ And now for something I Never even knew existed ! ENVIRO200XLB SINGLE DECKS TO JOIN ENVIRO500 DOUBLE DECKS IN BIRKENHEAD TRANSPORT’S FLEET. MMC Style in the LXB Size ! www.alexander-dennis.com/media/news/2017/october/enviro200xlb-single-decks-to-join-enviro500-double-decks-in-birkenhead-transport-s-fleet/ I Know up in Scotland Lothian Were the first company to buy the all new ADL launches Enviro400XLB 100-seater double deck which is also tri axel and runs off of a Volvo chassis (iirc rightly) Find link below to Coach & Bus Weekly to see this masters of art ! cbwmagazine.com/adl-launches-enviro400xlb-100-seater-for-lothian/ As for the first and only Enviro 500 bodied buses to fun in the United Kingdom that was first bus they now run up in Scotland these were the only E500s ever sold in the united kingdom and as far as I Know the closest place to have them is Ireland with Dublin bus find below a picture of First Glasgow 38219 (SN09CCX), www.flickr.com/photos/27108685@N03/7808247482 Dublin bus seem to have some strange designs for instance there enviro 400's are basically an enviro 200 style front lower deck with an enviro 400 upper deck plonked on instead of being all one flush look up the front of the body, live.staticflickr.com/4491/37432601586_44efa5a906_h.jpg While I'm not sure it can be seen so well from this angle you can see the lower deck is allot more curved if you look at the normal front lower deck of a standard Enviro 400. As for the wright bus Gemini 3 the predecessor of the Wright Bus Street Deck that is a weird looking front in Ireland too ! Dublin bus spec Gemini 3 Notice the front lower deck shape front cab area to the destination. live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926439781_72a7cfc091_h.jpg V's For instance a Lothian Buses VOLVO B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 live.staticflickr.com/7125/27083331636_5a99a9198c_k.jpg And you can clearly see what it is I'm Talking about :D I Hope this was not too much to read or intake all at once but it may help you down the line with future videos 😁
Amazing! You are encyclopedia . Love everything you mentioned. Very professionally recorded and flawless voice in long and straight shot. Very impressive. Yes I am part of it now.
Hey there James, new subscriber here. In Canada (specifically Ontario home of Toronto) we actually do have double decker coach buses, for our GO transit system. The GO transit system has a variety of coach buses included the Enviro500 which is a double decker bus which is the same bus they use in the uk produced by Alexander Dennis.
Hey there Childish Gambion! Appreciate you letting me know about this. Someone else mentioned that we operate these buses in Seattle as well. I guess I missed that one. Appreciate your comment! T
First double decker transit busses in North America was in Victoria, BC in 2000. BC transit still operates the next generation DD today with a growing fleet of over 50 today.
Hey David Webb. Yes you are correct. It did require more permits for the vehicle and the driver and the trailer. This cost the company more overhead making they earnings per passenger less. It was not popular but yes it did exist!
Hey James my friend owned two H5-60 Prehost buses. Used as a motorhome, one was wrapped as Titanic bus. Big rig and we thought of buying it but decided on a e4500 MCI. Interesting video!
@@MotorcoachWorld Just discovered this . Please do a piece on a bus from England called"Leyland Olympic m.c.w .This bus deserve some exposure cause many people don't know about them.They were very durable & few are still operating in Cuba & South America.
I grew up in the town where they made the big Neoplans up until their sale to MAN. The facility was beautiful and it had a museum underneath it. My favourite place to go as a kid :D
Here in Los Angeles County, Foothill Transit just acquired 2 double-decker buses from a manufacturer called Alexander Dennis to run from Monrovia to Downtown Los Angeles. Of course they were tested a few years ago and then we didn't hear about them until a few months ago when the news was confirmed that the double-decker buses were purchased 🙂.
WOW A channel only dedicated for Busses I'm in HEAVEN :D I love busses since I was 15 years old (~2013) and since than I always check out what are the new bus models
@@Blaqjaqshellaq i always called em make my classmates look drunk busses after year 6(the year i went 12 which was 2012) 😂 We got one into the CBD and it was packed so a heap had to stand and were forced into the bending part even tho it says clearly do not stand/no standing and well a bus on a "obahn" track going 90kph whilst they standing in that part and every bend in track made em feel worse 😂😂😂
There are trucker GPS systems that will show the driver where the low bridges are however they are really expensive. Currently there is not GPS system made just for coach drivers. At least not that I know of. There should be!
The coyote cyclops was much bigger and nuclear powered had a pool bowling alley and piano lounge !!! I wonder how many people will look that up to see what bus I am referring to ??? :)
Thanks Phillippe! Yes you are totally right. That was my mistake. I have corrected that fact in the video I made after. Thanks for the correction though! I do appreciate it!
@@MotorcoachWorld Just keep up the great work ! We'll catch you every time ! That's just the way we are.......looking to get you off guard or ......to catch you if you stumble......Look at it as team work !
Some do use a trailer. Problem is adding a trailer to a coach bus will require additional permits for the bus and the trailer as well as additional qualifications for the driver. This increases overhead cost for the bus company as well as maintenance cost to keep the trailers working. Trailers are not cheap and require additional storage space. You will also need to purchase insurance for them so they start costing more to just keep around. This makes the ticket prices go up for the customer.
In calcutta, India, there used to be double decker articulated buses, but nothing like the ones you see in the streets of Europe. The buses were in a tractor-trailer configuration. I rode on them a few times when I was a kid. The last I rode them was back in 2006 and the buses were around 50-55 years old by that time, if not more. The government discontinued them as it was more expensive to run them, and the old engines caused too much pollution. But they were a sight to behold, and sitting on the front seats of the upper deck was a different experience altogether since the windows could be lowered on the bus.
We have had double decker buses here in Vancouver, Canada for the past two years. We received 29 on the initial order, and I believe 36 are on their way. They are all Alexander Dennis coaches.
Yes you are totally right. That was my mistake. I have corrected that fact in the video I made after. Thanks for the correction though! I do appreciate it!
Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. The Deuce bus service in Las Vegas Nevada has some double deckers as well. Thanks for posting this.
I drove the Neoplan 11, in 1992 I went to Germany had a weeks training then drove the coach from Maastricht to London. Use it off route for 2 weeks. Sent it back, The UK transport dept refused us a operator license for the vehicle. I went mad had a quiet cry as it was driven off. Never saw it again.
For information, the Neoplan Jumbocruiser that was involved in the rollover accident you mentioned was the final rear engined example. It was later subjected to a complete rebuild by a UK company called Jumbocruiser Ltd who later sold it on.
The Onnibus Van Hools in Finland (which was formerly 75% owned by Stagecoach Parent Group Highland Transport Group) have the luggage pods too ... I drive Buses in the UK for Stagecoach...
James, never considered myself a bus nut, but I am all for fewer cars. I've traveled by coach and bus quite a bit. When I young did a couple of cross-country trips both on Greyhound and on Trailways. Used motorcoaches quite a bit in Venezuela (where I was living/ working) and in southern China (again living/working). Some good memories!
As someone who loves all types of transportation, I once again thank the algorithm Gods for this recommendation. You've gained a subscriber!
Haha thank you Daniel! Appreciate your kind words and your sub! Stay tuned! More to come!
I'm lovin it - 'algorithm Gods ! 🤗
Why are the algorithm gods being so friendly lately? I’ve been recommended some entertaining shit recently, like old RUclips.
I like this video and don't know what the algorithm picked on to take me here. I am not even that into transportation.
Same here
I'll be honest man, I had little to no interest in buses/transportation in general, until I clicked one of your videos. You're a great communicator of information, the editing is hilarious and so are you. Keep it up, i'm subscribed!!!
Hey James, I’m a train/bus/transit nut from the US living in Japan currently. Most of the focus internationally is always on the “bullet train” Shinkansen high speed rail network here, but we actually have a nationwide fixed route intercity bus system that usually costs half of what a bullet train ticket costs. Heavier trafficked routes also use double decker buses, but they must stick to regular highway routes. Bendy buses aren’t much of a thing here with the narrow streets (city coaches are about 12m/30’ max) but we do have a few trunk routes in major cities with them operating.
Hey Jason! Thanks for commenting. That is some great info you wrote down here I really appreciate it. I love reading about insights and perspectives from other countries on this industry.
the Yokohama-Fukuoka sleeper Highway-bus is effectively a 4 decker with two levels of capsules on each of two levels... that is probably the biggest I saw in these 12 years in Japan... in India, multilevel Tata buses can also get massive...
as for articulate buses, there is a Neighborhood articulated bus in Adakuji-Kameyama (Tochigi city)... its but 8m long in total, but the streets around the temple are so narrow that was the only way they could get it to fit.
In Strathcona County, Alberta, they have 24 double decker transit buses in service today, going to and through parts of downtown Edmonton. Just one of those rare occurrences of double decker buses in North America I thought you might like.
Somewhere I learned Strathcona County chose double decker buses over the articulated ones used by St. Albert because easier to maneuver through residential neighborhoods. Even then routes had to be carefully planned and trees removed from certain areas. Articulated buses are also more of a nuisance in the winter.
I've been on one of those Prevost H560 articulated coaches. It was a chorus tour from St. Louis east to Boston then south to Hickory, NC. When we left St. Louis, there was sleet, which turned to heavier snow the further east we went; our driver maneuvered that beast in some pretty deep snow-covered roads at our first destination. He was able to swing that thing around downtown Boston with professional ease, too! Sadly, the engine didn't end up doing too well following the drive over the Appalachians back north from North Carolina into Ohio; the charter company had to send rescue (a shorter coach with a trailer for our luggage) which met us in Terre Haute, IN.
Our director had always wanted to charter that bus. That year, we finally had a tour chorus big enough to warrant it. I often wonder what the charter company did with it following our tour.
I'll say this: I would *happily* be one of the testers to see if one of those could transit UK roads safely. Especially if the power steering is off... 💪🚌🇬🇧❤🔥
this is my best channel on the red - Watching your videos James is even more enjoyable than watching a television show
I was like “there are triple decker buses?! That seems crazy!” And now I’m kinda disappointed that there aren’t any more!
LOL Sorry about that! I hope you liked the content!
you can still watch the Harry Potter movie for that
they would tip over
The bus used in Harry Potter is a real triple decker bus. Yes, they do exist, they are just very rare.
@@johnb6723 But like the guy said, they are never used for mass transport.
I’m so glad u mentioned the Neoplan Jumbo Cruiser. I love that double decker coach.
I remember the Neoplan StarLiner _before_ a certain British political campaign tarred it with the worst imagery imaginable... 💔
There was something you missed here. There is a transit service here in the US that does use double deckers. Las Vegas RTCSNV uses them on a few routes. The BHX (Boulder Highway Express) and Duce (Strip route)(Not Express). These are also made by Alexander Denis which has a contract to supply them with new buses in the future. These buses are 3 axel 2 stair buses. With the BHX being 3 axel 1 stair buses. These buses have been running with he city since 2006 I believe They are the only public transit in the country that run these buses. Also nice to see Albuquerque's old buses on this. FYI They no longer have these ugly buses. They replaced them with 2019 New Flyers Xcelsior on the 766 and 777 . Yes I use to live in Las Vegas NV and now currently live in Albuquerque.
Hey Joshua Uriarte. You are completely right. I did missed this. Many people have commented on this! Thank you for this info. Really appreciate it!
It’s amazing at how much this has picked up lately. Here in the Seattle area, community transit uses them on their commuter routes between Snohomish and king counties (Everett/ Lynnwood to Seattle/ Bellevue). Also translink (Vancouver bc) uses them on commuter routes as well.
So it’s not true even at the time of Joshua’s posting that Las Vegas was the only public transit agency In the us to run these vehicles. (Community transit has been running them for about ten years) It will be interesting to see what further changes happen too.
I've used _The Deuce_ a few times on previous vacations to the US, and as a British person the significance of getting a double-deck bus on that side of the Atlantic never once occurred to me. The only thing that felt at all different to our ones was the fact that the layout was mirrored, as we drive on the left of course. ⬅🇬🇧🚌😇
What really *grated* me about _The Deuce_ were the *Bloody annoying* announcements that just wouldn't shut-up and made even the short hop from mid-strip to Fremont a total nightmare. Especially hearing _„Stop Requested“_ in the most patronising tone possible several times over. Did nobody consider why other British-built buses tend to rely on a simple bell and a „Bus Stopping“ light? 🔔💡🛑😇
Oh sod-it. For any historical value it might hold (from my hazy 15-year old memories of Feb 2007)... 😇
🔊 _„Hop on, ride The Deuce! Two dollars one-way, five dollars all day!“_ [There might've been a bit after this, but can't remember clearly.]
9:05, this wouldn't create issues because the luggage coff is designed to be hung on metal bars with 2 hinges so that an empty coffin could swing open like a door, allowing easy access to the engine compartment. I say this as a experienced coach driver having done many miles on a vanHool.
Thanks Fam. Nuhaan. That's interesting. I guess I got that one wrong. Thanks for the correction.
In Canada the OC Transpo of Ottawa operates several double decker busses as well the GO Transit system of Ontario operates double decker busses , as well as double deck trains.
Hi John Cford. Yes many people have commented on that fact. I guess I missed that bit of info. Thank you for commenting!
@@MotorcoachWorld The current model that GO Transit is buying is 13' tall, custom built for this transit agency to fit in most bus depots, etc. Of course, not as much need for luggage on a commuter transit regional bus.
Yep. According to Wikipedia, Ottawa has about 150 Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 buses.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OC_Transpo#Bus_fleet
I'm training to be a motorcoach driver . Thank you for the great work in this video.
Hi James, I'm a bus driver/driving instructor from New Zealand, I'm also a Chinese, my parents want becoming a doctor too.😂 By the way, the length of 3-axle BCI double decker is 12.5m
Hi 皮皮熊猫 . Thank you for commenting. That is Hilarious. That is Chinese parents for you. LOL Thanks for the info on the BCI! I have seen a few of them operating here in the US.
Tell us more about Designline buses.
Very glad I finally watched this video! I have been neglecting the 🚌 side of my transportation fandom for a while now. But your presentation style and vocal attributes have enticed me to take a dive back in.
A great channel discovery. 🙂
Thank you!!
Hey thanks for the kind words!
Here in Seattle the double decker buses are now very common for our suburban commuter routes. Seattle/Tacoma, Sea/Everett, Sea/Lakewood, Sea/Bellevue and a few others runs every half hour during commute time. In order to do that Sound Community Transit had to buy a whole lot of them. When we have a baseball and soccer match at the same time on a commuter weekday the get packed. It can get so packed that every seat top and bottom are full and people are standing in the walkway front to back top and bottom.
In town our highest traffic routes use articulated buses. We have both diesel electric hybrid and fully electric versions. There are a hand full of routes with overhead power wires for these electric buses.
I have seen two issues with the articulated buses breaking in half at the bend. We have some very, very steep streets in Seattle. We do not get snow and ice often but when we do the rear drive axle can sometimes slip and push the rear to the right/left. At the same time the center weight axle forward of the bend can go the opposite direction. If this happens and the bus then starts to slide backward the articulating joint sometimes breaks open. I have seen it three times in 15 years.
The second time was a bus that slide backward on ice but was straight that broke through a guard rail at the bottom of the hill. The rear ended up hanging 25ft over Interstate 5 but the center weight axle stayed on the pavement holding everything. The articulation joint cracked open but did not break completely off.
When the university (Rutgers) near me first got articulated buses, I wondered to myself if they ever had problems with the two halves going in different directions. It seemed like something that could happen on ice/snow, just like you described. That's so uncanny; I hadn't thought about that for the longest time, lol. So weird what we remember.
Nice to see our Jumbocruiser rolling in this video.. 😉
We sold it to a new owner few months ago, hopefully it will be like new in a few years.
Oh wow! Was that your bus?? That is awesome! Thank you for taking the time to comment! I wish i could see one and get inside one day. I have always wanted to see in person what they are like!
@@MotorcoachWorld its unbelievable when you see one and undescribible when you ride one. 😬
I just subscribed to your channel. You have sooo many great bus footage!! I'm glad you found me!
Victoria, British Columbia has had double decker city buses for more than 20 years.
I remember those. I live in Victoria, BC between 1995 and 2003. I use to ride those buses to college and work.
Here in Victoria, BC we have had double-deck buses in transit service for over 20 years - in fact, the first generation is scheduled for retirement over the next few years. When they first started service, BC Transit (the operating company) paid for a railway bridge on a busy route to be raised to accommodate them. The reason they decided on double deckers, rather than articulated buses, was the small and relatively congested bus zones in the downtown area.
Hey Ed. Thanks for the info. Yes I made a mistake when making that comment. I corrected myself on the next video. It seems there are plenty of double decker transit buses operating in North America.
Thanks for commenting.
Here in Toronto, double decker buses aren’t used by the local transit corporation, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), but they are used in great numbers for intercity trips, that are owned and operated by the province, called GO transit (aka Government of Ontario), which operates both buses and double decker trains they connect all of suburbia to the downtown core. The TTC did a study on using double decker buses, but because the city has so many overhead wires for the streetcars (also called LRT’S or trams in other city’s) and low bridges, it just was not an option, so they opted for the articulated buses, plus street cars, which not many cities have, as they run along City streets, and are a real pain in the ass if you’re trying to drive down that same street. The street cars are only in the downtown core, running along all major arteries, but good luck trying to get around one if you get stuck behind them! The latest thing for Toronto are electric buses, as we strive to become carbon neutral, we are trying to phase out all diesel operated vehicles, which are mostly older busses, that belch out too much exhaust. The strange thing is, because we already have electrified lines for the street cars, I don’t know why they didn’t use electric buses all this time. 30 years ago, they had An entire fleet of electric buses, but for some reason they scrapped all of them, and turned to diesel. It’s only now that they’re finally going back to electric buses, but these ones don’t rely on overhead wires, but are instead fully independent, and amazingly quiet.
Hey TJ in Toronto! Appreciate the comment! Love this bit of info!
Came here to post the same thing! Being a Brit living in Canada, I always found the lack of Double deckers strange - my entire life until moving to Canada I'd travelled on Double Deckers almost daily!. So when Go started operating them ( and made by Dennis back home no less! ) I was happy to see them. Now Dennis has their plant here and the new busses look awesome - especially in the new Go branding.
Al Redpath, Canadian living in U.K. I got to travel on one of the GO busses between uSt Catherine's and TO. They are made in Scotland by Alexander Dennis.
@@jocelynstephens7058 initially they were made back home by Alexander Dennis and exported here, but they’ve now opened a plant in Vaughn to manufacture them
Al Redpath, it's complicated... Alexander Denis was purchased by New Flyer Industries (NFI) of Winnipeg Manitoba in May 2019 (they also bought Plaxton). Not sure but I think that the Vaughn plant is to add the GO Transit bits, but like I say not sure. The first ones left the U.K. all painted up and good to go. I did read an interesting article on how they were shipped to Halifax N.S. and driven to Ontario.
I was a little surprised that that I could not pay by card as the GO Transit version does not have internet connectivity (It was a couple of years ago).
I get the impression that Megabus is on the decline over here, they have dropped there service across Europe about 2 years ago. They used Volvo with double decker Plaxton bodies. Used it to go to Spain quite a few times. (But formally from Calidonia Rd in Toronto).
South Korea uses double decker buses . Now they use their own but I remember use to use the eviro500 double decker bus
in Brazil 2 deck buses are actually pretty common, not on urban use but on inter-city use (travel buses) passengers preffer them on long routes
Enjoyed the video James. My son drives the articulated buses for the Toronto Transit Commission. The GO Transit buses in Ontario are almost all double decker now.
Wow very cool I would love to experience driving one some day. I did correct this statement in my next Video.
That was a very informative vid, thank you. From 1998 to 2008 I was a stage carriage and bus driver. I found the double deckers a little bit daunting to drive. But the larger motor coaches were easier to drive somehow. Very few drivers argue with coaches, I presume that’s what it was. Does anyone else find this....??
Great video. If I win the Lotto, I'm converting a TDX27 to an RV.
James, your videos are so interesting with the drop in historical pictures!! Thank you for the educational aspect!
Hi Join The Chat. Thank you for your kind words. Stay tuned!
I find busses very interesting!! Especially the way they are built. Built tough and to last hundreds of thousands of miles!
Las Vegas operates double decker public transit busses called “The Deuce”.
Yes It seems I missed that one. I did follow up on it on the next video ruclips.net/video/zBt6Hm_0LX0/видео.html. appreciate your comment!
As a British person living close to where these were built, I will apologise for all the smoke and the terrible fuel efficiency. Our cooking oil is a little bit different to your diesel... 🙃
I *won't* apologise for the _darned annoying_ announcements they play at *every* stop, though. Pretty sure that Alexander Dennis don't offer those on their vehicles. 😉
Awesome video. I drove for Lorenz Bus based out of MPLS and drove Neoplan both Cityliners and Skyliners. I miss those days.
Wow that is cool! Thank you so much for taking the time to write. Appreciate it! Once you drive a bus it stays in your blood! LOL Be well Gary!
I don't know why yt algorithm brought me here, but I had to watch it to the end.
same haha
Khalid Aziz. Im not sure either! LOL. I hope you enjoyed it at least! Thanks for commenting!
Welcome to the world of youtube. New here? :D
OK same boat but I'm wondering why there's only three comments on a comment that's been liked 26 times. Although I'm somewhat skeptical that RUclips algorithm saw trams in technology connections and suggested this.
This is the actual biggest bus ever built ruclips.net/video/7rstLAwFsmk/видео.html
Just stumbled across your video. I have spend many years driving buses and coaches in Australia and now the U.K. Your video is entertaining and informative. I have driven many makes and models over the years, from MCI’s and Eagles in Australia through to Van Hools, Irizars, Setras just to name a few.I guess the most memorable job I had was with Top Deck Travel in Australia in the early 80’s when I drove a British Bristol FLF Lodekka double decker bus on a regular tour from Sydney to Perth, a distance of 2500 miles. The passengers slept and ate on the bus and the journey took 14 days.I’ll check out your other videos. Subbed, Cheers.
Hi Liam Doyle! Thank you for the comment. That is awesome. Much respect for you and your profession. I love meeting bus drivers from other countries and reading their perspective on the industry from different cultures. Sounds like you have done a lot! Your experience is valuable!
noone:
youtube: *recommends video*
me: *sees title* well well well let's find out
lol thanks for commenting
your channel needs more subs and views... .your information is great and you know so much about buses and coaches.
I wonder if Australia has bigger buses because it has larger roads
Thank you for your kind words! I'm working on that lol.
Van Hool is a Belgian based company. Megabus is a subsidiary of Stagecoach based in Perth, Scotland
yes you are correct! We have many Van Hools in our fleet!
Sadly stagecoach sold Coach USA to a holding / finance group for $275,000,000 in 2019 .... however they still have Megabus USA & UK on same web site
@@mikepaolo3169 Stagecoach sold their Chester (UK) depot recently to a property developer, looks like they are asset stripping
Funnily enough? Greyhound are owned by First Group...And they're *also* from Perth, Scotland! 😳
We English might've tried - And failed - To dominate the U.S. by colonial means...But the Scots have done a pretty good job of monopolising modern U.S. ground transportation! 😋
Interresting! 👍🏾😎 I remember seeing one of the Neoplan Jumbo Cruiser when I was a kid. Very impressive.
We have double decker busses used for city transit in Strathcona County, Alberta!
Thanks for the info! Appreciate it!
There are also double decker city buses in Ottawa, Ontario
I've always meant to take a ride to Sherwood Park on one of those
I work for a public transit agency here in California, that provides service between Oakland San Francisco, Berkeley, Hayward, Richmond, Fremont and many more cities in the east and west bay. We have been using Double Decker's made by Alexander-Dennis now for several years, and the agency has plans to increase the fleet beyond the current inventory of 25 in the coming years.
Thanks for the comment Ron Cooking Garlets! Thanks for this info. Yes I definitely missed this when I researched for this video!
I am in Australia
your video was extremely informative
well put together
thanks
Hey peter Miller. I love meeting new drivers from other countries! Appreciate your comment!
I rode in a Prevost H560 during ski vacation in Banff, Alberta around 1997. The coach was serving as a shuttle from the major hotels to the nearby ski areas. The ride was brief but on rural highway, probably hitting 100 km/h for much of the trip. Roads were clear and dry... I wondered how that beast handled in the snow that fell frequently in the area. Only one I have ever seen.
Van Hool also makes 25,75-meter long double articulated city buses, the Van Hool AGG300.
Hi tstrike79! Thank you for this piece of info! Appreciate the comment!
I'm going to guess you're from Hamburg? 🚌🚌🚌🇩🇪❤🔥😇
I absolutely *loved* those when they were in service, especially the unique sensation from sitting on the nearside (Where I'm from 🇬🇧 the drivers side) and being able to look _perpendicular_ through the front of the bus as it made right-hand turns! 😳
I so wish we'd bought them from der Hochbahn when they took them out of service. Sod UK road „maximums“, these would *smash* capacity problems on my local No. 1 bus route! ❣
Great video. My local regional Rail and bus commuter service uses Dennis enviro 500 low roof bi level buses. It was nice to learn more about coaches and bi level busses. and I see lots of people have touched on Canada's Bi level busses.
Thanks for the comment! Appreciate it!
This makes me want to watch the old movie ‘The Big Bus’ again! If you haven’t seen it I can highly recommend it for a laugh.
Haha I will need to check it out!
@@MotorcoachWorld breaking wind at 90mph!
@@MotorcoachWorld ruclips.net/video/bPpBGsFddao/видео.html (for a sneak peek; it's pretty standard 70s slapstick)
If I found "The Big Bus" on streaming video, I would watch it in a heartbeat.
as a former london bus driver i found this very interesting and educational,i have since left the buses and moved over to the coach side,since we can drive both on the same pcv, passenger carring vehicle licence,the best double deckers in london are the wright body vwh made by volvo,or the volvo evo seti.both i have driven,when i was training we used old dennis dart buses for training,and it was not until we went to garage then we got to drive double deckers, now most bus companies train drivers in the enviro 400s to get them used to driving double deckers,as they behave differently to single deckers,obviously due to height,,
Thats why I see alot of coaches now having luggage trailers
Thanks for commenting! Yes some companies use trailers!
Here in Ontario, Canada we have a lot
of double decker buses that run on the GO Transit system. I love riding them
I'm from around Vancouver and we mainly have articulated buses, though double deckers have started to appear more recently.
Your video was well researched, informative and interesting. You see plenty of Big Bus tourist double-deckers in big US cities, like SF and NY - typically from Alexander-Dennis.
Having spent 9 years living in London riding on a variety of double-deck buses, I can say that the Auckland, NZ fleet of double-deck buses are nicer, longer and cleaner.
This was SUPER COOL .... and extremely informational to all !!!! "Sincere Thanks" !!
Thank you Rick! Appreciate you taking the time to write. Thank you for the kind words.
Check out the Mercedes O404 modified by Rotel Tours with triple deck sleeper section at the rear. They used to visit my hometown Valdez, Alaska during the summers. Seriously impressive big orange bus!
I used to see those same buses going through Vancouver in the 1990s...complete with German plates, if I recall correctly! Here's a link to a photo of one such bus, near San Francisco in 1993:
www.flickr.com/photos/51227209@N03/8636813422/in/photostream/
I really enjoyed riding a double-decker when I stayed in Hong Kong and Singapore. It was a great way to see the city. If not crowded I always take the first row on the top deck.
Las Vegas operates a fleet of double deckers known as The Deuce, it runs a timetabled regular route down The Strip 24 hours a day.
Hey Kevin H! Thanks for the info. I did not know that. Really appreciate it! I will have to find some pictures.
My brother was a bus enthusiast during the 1980s. His collection of scale models (Mostly Die Cast Metal) was huge and he had four 6ft by 4ft wall mounted display cases around his room. When he left home to get married, he sold the whole collection (as well as his other collection of Historic Commercial Vehicles) and made a huge profit on them, as some of them were limited editions. So in this country (the UK), there is a big collector's Scene for models, and there are quite a few Regular magazines in the shops for enthusiasts. My interest is more in the railroad model scene, but I do have a few buses on the layout.
If you have a railway layout based on the modern UK network, a few _rail replacement_ buses are always a necessary inclusion... 😉
When I lived in Germany I lived in town but school was on the Army base. We had charter buses that would drive to all the outlaying military housing and random city kids like me. It would take 45min to an 1 hour 20min to get to school depending on traffic. My school bus was a double decker charter bus that had a small kitchen facility on it and a stewardess that would sale us breakfast sandwiches in the morning and bratwurst sandwiches or candy in the afternoon. It was great.
2:21 2:31 I was born on April 22nd too and I've been on many double decker buses all over the UK. I grew up with a fascination with Buses, my friend is even more into Buses as he has so many Bus models that he gets from Toy Fares.
Birthday Buddies! Thank you for your comment Daniel Williams! Always nice to meet a fellow bus nut!
@@MotorcoachWorld Your Welcome
Great video again, James! I’m really loving this channel! The history and detail you provide make these videos lots of fun, keep it up!
Thank you Jeff Baysinger! Comments like these make my day man! Really appreciate it 🙂.
Very entertaining video. About double-deckers in the US, I clearly remember catching one in Las Vegas, around August 2006, from the Strip to downtown, and then back. My daughter (6 at the time) made a BIG DEAL out of sitting on the top floor, which is why it stuck in my mind! So that was one city which did have double-deckers.
Hey Kwas101! Thank you for your comment! LOL that is a great story! I totally understand where your daughter was coming from!
Double Decker go buses have the same clearance as a tractor trailer
Yes that is true!
Amazing video !!!
Thanks for all details about crazy bus config in the world
Best regards from France =)
10:40 Van Hool has them as well. It's just a bit shorter than the Volvo one, but you see them in Europe sometimes in even cities with a population of 300k.
First video of yours I've watched. I'm looking forward to more. Great content!
Hey Jason! Thank you for your comment and kind words. Stay tuned for more!
In UK and Europe Van Hool do a version based on the double decker that put the lower deck back to a larger luggage deck. A single set of stairs at the front for access. Operators refer to it as a cruise special as it takes the extra luggage people need for going on cruises.
The driver can get rather isolated as the passenger deck is full length, so the driver has restricted space.
Hi Neil Williams. That is really interesting. I really appreciate the info! This is the best part of making these videos, Reading replies like yours. Thank you so much for that bit of info!
This guy is a legend.
Made a mundane topic interesting.
Look forward to videos on ;
Mud
Worms
Trash cans
Garbage Trucks
The moon
Bird poop
Grass
Soil
Etc etc etc
Haha what a compliment much appreciated.
@@MotorcoachWorld
You're welcome.
Just discovered your channel and subbed.
Thoroughly enjoying your content.
RUclips recommendations: hereby I declare you like buses.
Me: I solemnly swear my loyalty to buses and to happily carry the title of “Bus Nut” so help me God.
Always a pleasure to meet a fellow bus nut. Thank you for your comment.
Sweet!! Thanks for this very informative video. I'm from Jamaica and we use VDL Volvo engine buses and coaches here, articulated included too. We also have a couple of bi-articulated Viale Volvo buses too, think only one in service. Also have a KingLong Double decker operated by a coach company.
Hi Andrew I love reading from people from other parts of the world! Thank you for taking the time to write! I would love to visit some day!
8:28 That's right, those double deck coaches really struggle with luggage capacity. I've often seen having to tow a trailer that is presumably carrying the excess.
Tha last Neoplan is pretty.
I rode one of the older ones as a rental, when I was working as support crew for a music band. It was super comfortable: there were ~40 people in total, but we managed to squeeze all the equipment into it. Saved ton of cash on dedicated truck, even tough rental was expensive.
The Algorithm wins again. Growing up in Scotland I was on double deckers every day going across Glasgow. Now in Australia I still miss them as the top deck was a great way to see the world. Ps also subscribed👍
Thank you so much. I love hearing from drivers from other parts of the world and getting their perspective on this industry. Reading your comment was a treat.
Love your videos...
I'm a newbie,1 year driving part time.
All times driving Prevost..until yesterday that my bus started give trouble and company switch us to a MCI....(wasn't familiar with this bus at all)
but I make my way to destination.
thanks for your video (what r all this buttons for) I learned a lot about...
thanks again...!!!
from Atlanta Georgia..
Victoria, Canada has lots of double decker buses in regular service as part of their transit system.
Yes It seems I missed this fact in the video! Thank you for the info! Really appreciate the comment!
@@MotorcoachWorld the GO Transit network uses a lot of double deckers in the Greater Toronto Area as well. Not sure if you're counting that since it's part of a regional commuter service, not local transit.
Over a year ago in England (I dodged the lockdown bullet) I rode the Flix Bus from Birmingham to London Heathrow airport. It was a smooth ride.
Good video, thank you.
Thanks Curtis Miller! Really appreciate the comment and accolade!!!
Just found your channel and binge-watched several of your videos. Great channel man! 👍
Thanks for the comment
We have some double-deckers running up and down I-5 here in the Seattle area for Sound Transit. They run folks in to the city from park-and-rides out in the suburbs.
Hey Maclius! So ive heard from others when I released this video! Thanks for the comment! I will have to look that up!
@@MotorcoachWorld They will more then likely be the Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 builds / Older style body work. I Think some of the MMC's were ordered for certain parts of the US Too but allot of countries world wide now are ordering from ADL I Think this plus there eco friendly systems easy maintenance ect is now putting them as one of the most industry leading manufactures world wide. For instance Wright bus went bust but got saved where as ADL Were & Still going all though that they dominate the market round the world now with there buses being built for ease of use and fuel efficiency plus they are part of Plaxton Coach & Bus Builders so that is another part of the market they are dominating with all the coaches a heck of allot in the UK. P.S First time viewer just seen one of your videos pop up on my RUclips home page so this is the first video of yours I Have watched still hit that sub button though 😁
@@user-PK-23 Thank you Peter. Appreciate the sub and all this great info. This is the best part of releasing videos, reading these great pieces of knowledge. really appreciate the comment.
@@MotorcoachWorld Hey matey ! No problem at all 😁I Look forward to seeing more from you ! I Did add more to my last comment but at the moment RUclips seems to have a habit of deleting my stuff or not posting even when it was posted if that makes sense I Go to edit somethings then press save it fails then deletes all together really bugs me when it happens but still you know this is modern technology !
So as for Seattle there double decks are the original style Enviro 500's which are tri axel made mainly for KMB In china originally but exported across the world there was some of the original body ones made for Australia there was a demonstrator in all over white for over there the slogan being, "Reaching New Heights in Australia" The only picture I Can really find is here on Flickr but there is a lot more of it,
www.flickr.com/photos/25653307@N03/2633145374
Now as we go on to the MMC Build it was a whole new range for ADL To bring them back to the top of there game they called it MMC For something to do with the model changes and shapes it's something like Major Model Creation Below you will find links to the videos from ADL To show how they have done these buses they actually are the only manufacture to involve the bus companies they were marketed for in the design and choices of what should be there or should not be there ect drivers managers engineers all had a say in the creation of the MMC Design.
Video One: The all new ADL Enviro200
ruclips.net/video/O_wnMOO_HpA/видео.html&ab_channel=AlexanderDennisLimited
Video 2: The Story behind the Enviro400
ruclips.net/video/XKh3tGIKvGk/видео.html&ab_channel=AlexanderDennisLimited
So as we go on some more things that have come out of the ADL MMC Deal was a special type body only seen so far in the USA,Enviro500 (North America) Named the Enviro 500 Super Low. A Link to the ADL Website which showcases this bus and pictures can be found below,
www.alexander-dennis.com/products/double-deck-buses-3-axle/enviro500-north-america/
Now I Think it was late 2019 early 2020 when ADL Broke new ground in Berlin with the new order for BVG Berlin in this article below you will find this info as well as pictures of the new style buses for that region of the world,
BVG Berlin presents first two Enviro500 double-deckers from Alexander Dennis
www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/bvg-berlin-presents-first-two-enviro500-double-deckers-from-alexander-dennis/
And now for something I Never even knew existed ! ENVIRO200XLB SINGLE DECKS TO JOIN ENVIRO500 DOUBLE DECKS IN BIRKENHEAD TRANSPORT’S FLEET. MMC Style in the LXB Size !
www.alexander-dennis.com/media/news/2017/october/enviro200xlb-single-decks-to-join-enviro500-double-decks-in-birkenhead-transport-s-fleet/
I Know up in Scotland Lothian Were the first company to buy the all new ADL launches Enviro400XLB 100-seater double deck which is also tri axel and runs off of a Volvo chassis (iirc rightly) Find link below to Coach & Bus Weekly to see this masters of art !
cbwmagazine.com/adl-launches-enviro400xlb-100-seater-for-lothian/
As for the first and only Enviro 500 bodied buses to fun in the United Kingdom that was first bus they now run up in Scotland these were the only E500s ever sold in the united kingdom and as far as I Know the closest place to have them is Ireland with Dublin bus find below a picture of First Glasgow 38219 (SN09CCX),
www.flickr.com/photos/27108685@N03/7808247482
Dublin bus seem to have some strange designs for instance there enviro 400's are basically an enviro 200 style front lower deck with an enviro 400 upper deck plonked on instead of being all one flush look up the front of the body,
live.staticflickr.com/4491/37432601586_44efa5a906_h.jpg
While I'm not sure it can be seen so well from this angle you can see the lower deck is allot more curved if you look at the normal front lower deck of a standard Enviro 400.
As for the wright bus Gemini 3 the predecessor of the Wright Bus Street Deck that is a weird looking front in Ireland too ! Dublin bus spec Gemini 3 Notice the front lower deck shape front cab area to the destination.
live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926439781_72a7cfc091_h.jpg
V's For instance a Lothian Buses VOLVO B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3
live.staticflickr.com/7125/27083331636_5a99a9198c_k.jpg
And you can clearly see what it is I'm Talking about :D I Hope this was not too much to read or intake all at once but it may help you down the line with future videos 😁
Amazing! You are encyclopedia . Love everything you mentioned. Very professionally recorded and flawless voice in long and straight shot. Very impressive. Yes I am part of it now.
Hey KKAcharya! Appreciate the comment and kind words! Thanks for the sub!
Hey there James, new subscriber here. In Canada (specifically Ontario home of Toronto) we actually do have double decker coach buses, for our GO transit system. The GO transit system has a variety of coach buses included the Enviro500 which is a double decker bus which is the same bus they use in the uk produced by Alexander Dennis.
Hey there Childish Gambion! Appreciate you letting me know about this. Someone else mentioned that we operate these buses in Seattle as well. I guess I missed that one. Appreciate your comment! T
First double decker transit busses in North America was in Victoria, BC in 2000. BC transit still operates the next generation DD today with a growing fleet of over 50 today.
@@SNS8R03 What brand are the buses?
GoTransit in Ontario operates some fine Double Decker buses ,the model is the Alexander Dennis Enviro 500. Love your Tube site!
Herman Toronto
Some Megabus have dedicated luggage “trailers”.
Hey David Webb. Yes you are correct. It did require more permits for the vehicle and the driver and the trailer. This cost the company more overhead making they earnings per passenger less. It was not popular but yes it did exist!
@@MotorcoachWorld Does still exist, in the UK.
I love your channel. I never thought it could be exciting to learn about busses. But here I am
Hey James my friend owned two H5-60 Prehost buses. Used as a motorhome, one was wrapped as Titanic bus. Big rig and we thought of buying it but decided on a e4500 MCI. Interesting video!
I bet they were nice and spacious on board I think I've seen the Titanic when either on a picture somewhere on the internet.
@@MotorcoachWorld Just discovered this . Please do a piece on a bus from England called"Leyland Olympic m.c.w .This bus deserve some exposure cause many people don't know about them.They were very durable & few are still operating in Cuba & South America.
@@robertcampbell9946 thanks for the comment. I will add it to the list
I grew up in the town where they made the big Neoplans up until their sale to MAN. The facility was beautiful and it had a museum underneath it. My favourite place to go as a kid :D
Here in Los Angeles County, Foothill Transit just acquired 2 double-decker buses from a manufacturer called Alexander Dennis to run from Monrovia to Downtown Los Angeles. Of course they were tested a few years ago and then we didn't hear about them until a few months ago when the news was confirmed that the double-decker buses were purchased 🙂.
Yes you are totally right. I missed that fact didnt I? I did correct it on the following video though!
WOW A channel only dedicated for Busses I'm in HEAVEN :D
I love busses since I was 15 years old (~2013) and since than I always check out what are the new bus models
Hey AceDriver53 LOL I am glad you are enjoying the channel! Always nice to meet a fellow bus geek!
Another name for articulated busses is a catapiller bus
True!
And "bendy bus."
@@Blaqjaqshellaq i always called em make my classmates look drunk busses after year 6(the year i went 12 which was 2012) 😂
We got one into the CBD and it was packed so a heap had to stand and were forced into the bending part even tho it says clearly do not stand/no standing and well a bus on a "obahn" track going 90kph whilst they standing in that part and every bend in track made em feel worse 😂😂😂
We always called the bendy bus in my town the 67.
Thank you for the great video! FYI, double decker buses operate on some city routes in Las Vegas, NV.
Love the content. Great work! Are there GPS systems for large buses that show the height for overpasses and plan accordingly for the driver?
There are trucker GPS systems that will show the driver where the low bridges are however they are really expensive. Currently there is not GPS system made just for coach drivers. At least not that I know of. There should be!
i love driving the articulated bus, drives great
The coyote cyclops was much bigger and nuclear powered had a pool bowling alley and piano lounge !!! I wonder how many people will look that up to see what bus I am referring to ??? :)
I was going to comment that we need a reaction video for that movie.
Cool video, I have always loved busses and station wagons
Victoria, BC has had double decker for many years run by the public transit system
Hi tihi! You are correct. It seems I missed that info. Thanks for correcting me.
How English!
@@Blaqjaqshellaq , indeed! If you’ve been to downtown Victoria, the entire spot is very English looking.
I've ridden a Prevost H5-60. It was amazingly smooth... on an Iowa road.
I want to ride/drive one! LUCKY!
Anyone else (in SG) came here because he used a SG❤️Bus bus but never mentioned it again?
me
Its just a thumbnail. I do mention how its fake and not a real bus in the video.
Now I think about it there aren't many places in the world whose public buses are painted in such a shade of light/yellow green
Yeet SG peeps
Correction (5:30 sec) Canadian cities have double-decker buses since early 2000s ! Always great content, Thanks and be safe !
Thanks Phillippe! Yes you are totally right. That was my mistake. I have corrected that fact in the video I made after. Thanks for the correction though! I do appreciate it!
@@MotorcoachWorld Just keep up the great work ! We'll catch you every time ! That's just the way we are.......looking to get you off guard or ......to catch you if you stumble......Look at it as team work !
On busy travel days when the usual luggage capacity is not enough, why not use a trailer?
I always thought that was a good idea.
Some do use a trailer. Problem is adding a trailer to a coach bus will require additional permits for the bus and the trailer as well as additional qualifications for the driver. This increases overhead cost for the bus company as well as maintenance cost to keep the trailers working. Trailers are not cheap and require additional storage space. You will also need to purchase insurance for them so they start costing more to just keep around. This makes the ticket prices go up for the customer.
BEAirways used to run buses with trailers from Victoria coach stn to Hearthrow Airport ,think it was in the sixties
In calcutta, India, there used to be double decker articulated buses, but nothing like the ones you see in the streets of Europe. The buses were in a tractor-trailer configuration. I rode on them a few times when I was a kid. The last I rode them was back in 2006 and the buses were around 50-55 years old by that time, if not more. The government discontinued them as it was more expensive to run them, and the old engines caused too much pollution. But they were a sight to behold, and sitting on the front seats of the upper deck was a different experience altogether since the windows could be lowered on the bus.
Loved this comment! Thank you for the good read! I love reading about bus experiences from other parts of the world. Really appreciate it!
GO transit in Ontario has a bunch of double decker as well as the city of Ottawa Ontario
Hi Hermando Monterio! Yes it seems there are plenty of them in north America. I missed that on the video didnt I. Thanks for the info!
@@MotorcoachWorld Yes haha, Sound transit in King County, WA also has them
We have had double decker buses here in Vancouver, Canada for the past two years. We received 29 on the initial order, and I believe 36 are on their way. They are all Alexander Dennis coaches.
Yes you are totally right. That was my mistake. I have corrected that fact in the video I made after. Thanks for the correction though! I do appreciate it!
NYC had double decker busses for transit service in the 1970s. Manufacturer was Leyland. I rode them down Fifth Ave. as a small child.
Hi Ron Devito! Thank you for your comment! That is awesome. I love hearing about bus experiences! I will have to look these up!
Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. The Deuce bus service in Las Vegas Nevada has some double deckers as well. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you The Kurt's Place Channel. Appreciate the comment. Yeah someone else mentioned that about Vegas. I missed that one I guess!
I drove the Neoplan 11, in 1992 I went to Germany had a weeks training then drove the coach from Maastricht to London. Use it off route for 2 weeks.
Sent it back, The UK transport dept refused us a operator license for the vehicle. I went mad had a quiet cry as it was driven off. Never saw it again.
Im sorry to hear that! That sucks. did you still continue to drive buses?
For information, the Neoplan Jumbocruiser that was involved in the rollover accident you mentioned was the final rear engined example. It was later subjected to a complete rebuild by a UK company called Jumbocruiser Ltd who later sold it on.
The Onnibus Van Hools in Finland (which was formerly 75% owned by Stagecoach Parent Group Highland Transport Group) have the luggage pods too ... I drive Buses in the UK for Stagecoach...
My new favorite channel James. Super interesting.
James, never considered myself a bus nut, but I am all for fewer cars. I've traveled by coach and bus quite a bit. When I young did a couple of cross-country trips both on Greyhound and on Trailways. Used motorcoaches quite a bit in Venezuela (where I was living/ working) and in southern China (again living/working). Some good memories!