Craig wrote:

Maybe as other mass transit systems use, eg, New York, a hard rigid
plastic. Still comfortable to sit on given that you are only on it
briefly !!! and not holding hidden all kinds of gunk that must be
embedded in the fabric.....

One model of London bus was fitted out with the back 4 or 5 rows
upstairs in solid plastic - it makes them have a very unpleasant feel -
almost unsafe. Like the screens protecting the drivers, the only
reason they were there is because they were necessary. This doesn't
lead to a feeling of safety.

Perhaps a good hybrid would be to have easily replaceable covers (but
NOT easy to remove without suitable tools!) over a plastic-covered
sprung or sponge seat?

Neil

Neil Williams wrote:

Craig wrote:

Maybe as other mass transit systems use, eg, New York, a hard rigid
plastic. Still comfortable to sit on given that you are only on it
briefly !!! and not holding hidden all kinds of gunk that must be
embedded in the fabric.....

One model of London bus was fitted out with the back 4 or 5 rows
upstairs in solid plastic - it makes them have a very unpleasant feel -
almost unsafe. Like the screens protecting the drivers, the only
reason they were there is because they were necessary. This doesn't
lead to a feeling of safety.

Perhaps a good hybrid would be to have easily replaceable covers (but
NOT easy to remove without suitable tools!) over a plastic-covered
sprung or sponge seat?

Neil

Plastic seats on the top-deck of said model of London bus is discussed
elsewhere on this thread - you say it's because it's necessary - why?

(I dislike them too!).

Mizter T wrote:

Plastic seats on the top-deck of said model of London bus is discussed
elsewhere on this thread - you say it's because it's necessary - why?

It isn't really, though it would make vandalism of said seats easier to
remove, and perhaps discourage people from sitting there "out of sight"
where other seats are available.

The point was more that bus companies wouldn't do such a thing if there
wasn't a good reason for it, even as a failed trial. Thus, like the
anti-assault screens, it gives the impression that the bus is perhaps a
less safe (from attack) means of transport than it actually is.

Neil

All points very valid - can I move on, maybe a little off thread but
still tied in to the Vic Line investment...


According to Metronet's website Walthamstow Central will be
refurbished by 2006 (ok its nearly August so not too much to look
forward to) - anyone know the actual plans ?

I know that money ran out in the Vic Line project originally and hence
Finsbury Park upwards is basically shell with a light shade ! but will
they ever do the decent thing and line the walls etc ever ?

..... also will the link ever open at Walthamstow - I understand that
it may be political between plans and plans, Underground/Buses/****
Ken etc; oh and a lot of squabbling, and I know that any plan in E17
seems to be fundementally a bad idea thru failure!! (look around)



On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 12:31:00 +0100, Craig
wrote:


Hi,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5186896.stm

Just wondered if anyone else thinks it would be far more hygenic, more
pleasant & acceptable if the decision to no longer cover seats on new
trains in fabric was made.

Maybe as other mass transit systems use, eg, New York, a hard rigid
plastic. Still comfortable to sit on given that you are only on it
briefly !!! and not holding hidden all kinds of gunk that must be
embedded in the fabric.....

Just Wondered !

C! wrote:
Mizter T wrote:

Plastic seats, no way!

Plastic seats = static shocks

I ride the MTA all the time the seats are not bad but im paying less
than a pound per trip and that includes a bus transfer.

C! wrote:
Mizter T wrote:

Plastic seats, no way!

Plastic seats = static shocks

I ride the MTA all the time the seats are not bad but im paying less
than a pound per trip and that includes a bus transfer.

Paul Corfield wrote:

There is no rule here - unlike Paris - which prohibits the use of tip
up seats in the peak. In any event it would be unenforceable IMO.

Unless the seats were centrally locked up by the driver, or better still, on
a time switch.

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 02:45:21 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote:

Paul Corfield wrote:

There is no rule here - unlike Paris - which prohibits the use of tip
up seats in the peak. In any event it would be unenforceable IMO.

Unless the seats were centrally locked up by the driver, or better still, on
a time switch.

I have this mental picture of a sadistic train driver flipping a switch at
4:59 pm and watching 40 people's shocked expressions as they jump up to avoid
being swatted in the bum by their tip-up seats.
--
Chris Hansen | chrishansenhome at btinternet dot com
|http://www.christianphansen.com or
|http://www.livejournal.com/users/chrishansenhome/

Christian Hansen wrote:
On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 02:45:21 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote:

Unless the seats were centrally locked up by the driver, or better
still, on a time switch.

I have this mental picture of a sadistic train driver flipping a
switch at 4:59 pm and watching 40 people's shocked expressions as
they jump up to avoid being swatted in the bum by their tip-up seats.

The obvious solution would be electro-magnets, energised by a switch. Once
someone gets up and the seat returns to the upright position it stays there
until disengaged. There might be a few people holding seats down whilst
someone else takes over the seat but it wouldn't last for long (especially
at terminii!).

On 18 Jul 2006 13:38:50 -0700, "Neil Williams"
wrote:

The point was more that bus companies wouldn't do such a thing if there
wasn't a good reason for it, even as a failed trial. Thus, like the
anti-assault screens, it gives the impression that the bus is perhaps a
less safe (from attack) means of transport than it actually is.

In a bus I went on in Chicago once, the protection for the driver was
even more extreme. You spoke to him through a microphone, and you
couldn't pass him cash for your fare - you had to insert your $1 bill
or whatever into a motorised slot a bit like on train ticket machines
here, then your ticket was printed. The plastic between me and the
driver was also pretty thick, and looked like it might have been
bulletproof.

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