More on Double Decks

The suitability or otherwise of double decks is again in the spotlight. This follows a recent incident where a bus was apparently blown over on to its side in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, leaving some of the 50 or so school children on board with minor injuries.

This is the latest in what seems an increasingly perceived long list of incidents involving double decks. Should double decks continue to be used for school transport? It’s an aspect to which we’ve referred in the past.

I can’t say I recall a double deck bus ever being blown over before, though I am aware that certain bridges during particularly gusty conditions have barred high-sided vehicles and that would include double decks.

What is the safety case for and against double decks?

• They can certainly be prone to damage from large enough branches and boughs but modern deckers usually have protectors.


• Many double decks on school buses tend to be older. This does not make them inherently unsafe.


• Should a double deck topple, it would be impossible for them to roll over. Single decks face the possibility of landing on their roof.


• Behaviour problems might be worse on a double deck but there’s no guarantee they might be better on a single deck, especially behind rows of higher backed seats where pupils are more invisible to CCTV.


• Double decks are safer in the event of rear and front end shunts—the majority of accidents—because compared to coaches passengers are set back further from the rear and especially front.


• Double decks can be evacuated quicker than 3+2 seated high capacity single decks. This requirement alone will likely see the end of the UK derogation for 70 seat single deckers, unless a second, proper service entrance is fitted.

Ultimately, I suspect local education authorities can’t win on this. Then there is the paucity of second hand examples and the need from 2017 to ensure all those carrying fare paying students are low floor.