Kneeling Buses

[gatorback]

A kneeling bus lowers the front steps of the bus so that they are within 3 Ð 6 inches of the curb height. If a bus is designed to kneel there will be a sign next to the door to show this.

Ocklawaha: What is your thinking on this.  Sounds expensive and I bet Firestone just loves kneeling busses  because they manufature the airbag suspension that lowers the bus. 

What pisses me off is when the bus pulls up to a stop, nobody is at the stop, and nobody is getting off there and the driver lowers it then raises it back up.  Is there a bonus for the number of actuatations on the suspension for the drivers.  Those bags are not cheap.  Not to mention most  buses flip out a wheelchair landing for people requiring it.  Why not have a step that lowers?

[Lunican]

Most of the buses you see are kneeling buses. I think it's probably a simpler setup than having some kind of moving steps.

Why a driver would use it when no one is getting on or off the bus sounds like a training problem.

[gatorback]

What does it cost???  I know for my rover each bag is $420.00 and they are replaced every 30-40,000 miles.

[gatorback]

Why can't we just use these things?  Look how simple they are.  No turbo, no kneeling, and guess what--since we have no ridership in jacksonville what would it matter..hahah

[gatorback]

diesel engines just don't need to be that complicated people.  Look at this.  Do you want to purchase, or maintain this thing:

[gatorback]

this is really what all that boils down to: a chamber cylinder , some fuel and maybe glow plug  when it's cold.  This motor is over 100 years old and still works!

[gatorback]

OH, I forgot it needs air too.

[Lunican]

Well, there are factors such as fuel consumption and emissions standards that also come into play. Coal and wood burning steam engines also still work, but they use a lot of fuel and create a lot of smoke.

None of this has anything to do with whether a bus kneels or not though.

[jbm32206]

The kneeling buses are very helpful to the handicapped riders, and that's what they're all about.

[gatorback]

The kneeling buses are very helpful to the handicapped riders, and that's what they're all about.

Access for the handicapped is what matters the fact that the bus kneels doesn't help a person in a wheelchair. A platform extends that they roll on are lifted up gets them on the bus. An extending step would reduce cost...that turbo...another huge expense which is what I was hitting at on this topic. 

[jbm32206]

The kneeling buses are very helpful to the handicapped riders, and that's what they're all about.

Access for the handicapped is what matters the fact that the bus kneels doesn't help a person in a wheelchair. A platform extends that they roll on are lifted up gets them on the bus. An extending step would reduce cost...that turbo...another huge expense which is what I was hitting at on this topic. 

I comprehend what your issue is regarding the expense of the kneeling bus VS an extending step. 

gatorback: Not to mention most  buses flip out a wheelchair landing for people requiring it.  Why not have a step that lowers?

Not all handicapped riders require a wheelchair lift, therefore, the kneeling bus is much more user-friendly. If one were to have an extended step, they would also need to have an armrail, which I don't see how that would work...given that I'm not an engineer. I do see how the kneeling buses have made it eaiser for the handicapped and the elderly.

[gatorback]

the buses have an arm rail on the door... I must just be on my soapbox.

[jbm32206]

You are...but we all have our pet peeves. However, unless you're handicapped or elderly, a rail on the door isn't enough

[Charles Hunter]

jbm32206 is right, a handicapped or elderly person would need a handrail alongside the extended step to be of any use.  Also, I think there is a problem with maintenance on extending steps, too.  For example, if the bus is too close to the curb when the step is extended - nine times out of ten, the curb is going to 'win' - breaking or damaging the step.

[Lunican]

Here is a NY Times article from 1991 on the topic:

Handicapped Find Transit More Accessible
By CALVIN SIMS
Published: July 19, 1991

When Raymond Garcia, a 25-year-old college student who uses a wheelchair, first started riding New York City buses three years ago, some drivers refused to pick him up. Passengers accused him of making them late for work, and the wheelchair lift on the bus often broke down, stranding him for hours until a repairman came.

Today, things are different. "I take the bus everywhere. I just wave my hand and the drivers stop," Mr. Garcia said. "The lifts don't get stuck as much anymore, and people don't stare and point when the driver uses the lift, because they are used to it."

In the last five years, the number of handicapped people riding buses in New York City has increased more than tenfold, from 11,000 rides a year to 120,000, according to statistics compiled by the New York City Transit Authority.

Behind the change, which advocates for the handicapped say has significantly broadened the lives of thousands of disabled people, lies a revolution in both technology and social attitudes.

On the hardware side, wheelchair lifts have been installed on most city buses and elevators or ramps have been put in 20 subway stations. But just as important, transit officials say, has been the improved training for transit employees and bus drivers on how to assist handicapped passengers and how to operate and maintain the lifts. 'There's No Excuse'

Full Article:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D61E3AF93AA25754C0A967958260