I think the Gemini 2s were the last to have stair doors fitted, the 2014 and 2015 Gemini 3s possibly have them too but I'm not sure, definitely from 2016 onwards there haven't been stair doors fitted. I've attached a photo I took in 2013 showing a stair door in use.
Yes you are correct, having checked a few photos it does seem the 2009 Gemini 2s were the last with stair doors.
They were used on quieter evening/night buses at the driver’s discretion to keep all passengers on the bottom deck.
I was unaware of this too, I thought they just had the U11DD.
I thought the U11DD was stationed at Longstone currently, have they moved it to Central? It’d be nice to see it on the 23, even if it is pretty egregious, it’d be cool to give it a go just to see how it holds up (I haven’t heard the greatest about Yutong’s low-floor buses so it’d be cool to test how much I agree with that on their double decker front). 9 would also be cool, it’s probably more much more likely than the 23, but I digress.
I will be absolutely astonished if Lothian actually do buy any products from Yutong. it’d just be yet another fleet oddity like the E400 CityEVs or Streetairs, & I think the only chance of Lothian actually getting Yutongs is if they get outside funding (like SPEN with 291-294). I am aware of the phrase “never count your chickens before they hatch,” but the chances of this happening are extremely slim.
It is indeed, yes.
It would what?
I think these are valid responses. They’d need a much bigger order to cope with U11s on the 100 (probably around 15-20), with buses at a frequency of every 7-8min at least (more likely every 6min).
Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the only buses on the Lothian fleet with these stair doors are 905/6 (if I can get a photo, I’ll share it).
I’m not fully certain, but my guess is for on the nightbuses to keep everyone downstairs so that the driver can more easily keep an eye on everyone to make sure nothing happens.
First buses to have the stair doors were the 601-630 batch of Tridents, from memory.
Safe to say it is slightly odd.
Probably, although I imagine some vehicles fitted with stair doors also had decent CCTV.
Where about are these photos?
Flickr photo here.
Just 219 and 220. Think 217 and 218 went to Shoreline Suncruisers.
251-255 had them, now with Bright Bus.
I had a look to confirm, 930 looks like it had one which has since been removed as you can see where it was, and 11 plates don’t have those details.
Yes. Due to antisocial behaviour on Captain’s Road/Lasswade Road, services 7, 11, 31 and 400 are diverted tonight.
Was meaning full open top normally got a half window.
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
I was talking to a friend about bus driving and they asked me the following question which I couldn't answer: if people are trying to force their way into the bus at the front door, can the driver hold the door closed?
No. Not a chance. Doors have to be made to open regardless for evacuation reasons
712-750 are due at some point. I’m not sure why it’s taking so long.
