"Richard J." wrote in message
...

Well actually, all you need is some decent ventilation. Why on earth
don't people design buses with air vents at the front? Also, in hot
weather, why can't buses be driven with front doors open? Is there an
interlock that prevents this? I was on a single decker in Brentford on
a very hot day recently, and the driver kept the front door open all the
time; it was wonderful to feel a flow of air for once.

For a long time all of the Eastern Coachworks bodies had vents at the front
of both upper and lower decks. With a front entrance this is not possible
downstairs. Back in the 1950s, the East Kent had Dennis Lancets with
half-drop windows all along the side, except for the very front window. In
summer we used to open the first two on each side fully, and the rest about
one quarter open, but not the ones by the side facing seats over the wheel
arches. That seemed to provide adequate ventilation and comfort.

Some buses have doors which can't be opened unless the hand brake is on, and
close automatically when the brake is released. Others use the gear lever to
open the doors, and you cannot put the bus into gear unless the door is
closed as a result. On ours it's the kneeling that works with the hand
brake, but not the doors.
--
Terry Harper, Web Co-ordinator, The Omnibus Society
75th Anniversary 2004, see http://www.omnibussoc.org/75th.htm
E-mail:
URL: http://www.terry.harper.btinternet.co.uk/