Double-decker bus

A double-decker bus is a bus that has two levels. While double-decker long-distance coaches are in widespread use around the world, double-decker city buses are less common. Double-decker buses are popular in some European cities and in some parts of Asia, usually in former British colonies. Many towns around the world have a few that specialise in short sight-seeing tours for tourists for, as William Gladstone observed, "the way to see London is from the top of a 'bus" Elbert Hubbard Little Journeys to the Homes of Good Men and Great (1894–1918) William E. Gladstone'' The full quote is:

Then he asked if we were going to London. On being told that we were, he spoke for five minutes about the things we should see in the Metropolis. His style was not conversational, but after the manner of a man who was much used to speaking in public or to receiving delegations. The sentences were stately, the voice rather loud and declamatory. His closing words were: "Yes, gentlemen, the way to see London is from the top of a 'bus—from the top of a 'bus, gentlemen."

Locations

Double-decker buses are common throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

London, United Kingdom

The most famous bus of this type, a typical red London double-decker bus, seats between 60 and 80 passengers. They are between 10.5 and 10.9 m in length and are a common reference item for describing very large objects; for example, a blue whale is about as long as three double-decker buses. They were created as a means of carrying large numbers of passengers without exceeding legal limits on vehicle length. A particularly iconic example was the Routemaster bus, which had been a staple of the public transport network in London for nearly half a century following its introduction in 1956. Citing difficulties accommodating disabled passengers, the last remaining examples in use finally retired in 2005, although Transport for London has established two "heritage routes", which will continue using Routemasters Routemaster "heritage routes".

Berlin, Germany

Double decker buses in Berlin are operated by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) and are currently 13.5 metres (44.29 feet) long and hold around 95 passengers. The replacements, which are supplied by Neoman, are 1.8 meters (5.92 feet) longer. The new buses are able to hold 128 passengers.Berlin's Double-Deckers to Get Hydrogen Infusion

Colombo, Sri Lanka

In the 1950s, double-decker buses of the South Western Bus Company plied on the Galle Road in Colombo, Sri Lanka. These were taken over by the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) when all bus services were nationalised in 1958. In the 1960s, second-hand Routemaster double decker buses were imported by the CTB from London Transport and ran in their original red livery, but with the CTB logo painted on the sides. These buses were phased out beginning in the mid-1970s, but a handful still run in the Greater Colombo area. One Routemaster bus is run by the Sirasa TV and radio station. In 2005 a new batch of double decker buses were imported by the Sri Lanka Transport Board, as the reconstituted CTB is known, which run mainly on the Galle Road in Colombo.

Davis, California, United States of America

Unitrans, the student-run bus company of University of California, Davis, operates six double-decker buses imported from London. One of these buses has been converted to run on compressed natural gas.

There was also the prototype GX-1 Scenicruiser of Greyhound, which enters from the 1st floor: The second floor contains the driver's compartment and more seats.

Dunedin, New Zealand

Two Routemaster double-decker buses are operated on a tourist circuit around the city of Dunedin in southern New Zealand.

Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

Double-decker buses were first introduced in Hong Kong in 1949 by Kowloon Motor Bus. They have become very popular since then, and they are currently found in large numbers among the fleets of the territory's major bus operators (see below). By law, double-decker buses in Hong Kong are limited to a length of 12 meters.

Mumbai, India

Mumbai has operated double-decker buses since 1937. They are operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking. They are modelled on the London buses.

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

In October 1953, a single AEC Regent III double-decker from the fleet of General Transport Company, Kuala Lumpur (KL), was sent to Singapore for demonstration. It was used on service by the Singapore Traction Company for two weeks. After that, it was inspected by two other bus companies and then sent back to KL. However, no orders for double-deckers were to ensue at this point in time.

Singapore Bus Service (SBS, now known as SBS Transit), the current operator of double-decker buses in Singapore, launched their first double-decker bus service on 13 June 1977 with 20 Leyland Atlanteans. This time, the double-decker buses were here to stay and the fleet grew steadily, with the further introduction of the Mercedes-Benz O305 and the Leyland Olympian. The first air-conditioned double-decker bus, named the "Superbus" in recognition of its record-breaking 12m length, was launched in 1993. The first stepless, ultra low floor "Superbus" was launched in 1999. Today, SBS Transit has a fleet of over 700 double-decker buses, most of which are air-conditioned.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

In 2000 Victoria, British Columbia became the first city in North America to use double decker buses in its public transit system. Imported from the United Kingdom and operated by BC Transit and the Greater Victoria Transit Authority, these buses have proven to be very popular amongst both locals and tourists. The buses are mainly used on routes that go from downtown to the suburbs, including the Victoria International Airport and the BC Ferries terminal near Sidney, B.C. They can also be found on routes that head to the University of Victoria and the Western Communities.

As of July 2006, double-decker buses similar to those in Victoria are being tested in Ottawa, Ontario.

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America

Citizens Area Transit, the transit authority in the Las Vegas area, introduced a fleet of double-deckers to serve the Las Vegas Strip route in October 2005. The route is branded as "The Deuce".