(02 Jul 2020, 10:19 am)Andreos1 wrote I'm not sure what you mean by 'free'.

The greenhouse/freezer situation you describe isn't unique to these independents, just as missing out sections of the route isn't.

Streetlites aren't my favourite vehicles and they're often like greenhouses in the summer. The need to add an extra opening window to a batch post-delivery emphasises the design-flaw of them. The pleather seats aren't comfortable during the hot weather and can be just as uncomfortable in the colder months. 
Does that mean they're not suitable, like the vehicles you mention? 
Sitting towards the rear of the downstairs saloon on a B9 is painful in the warm weather due to the heat thrown out by the engine. Sitting above the driver in the winter is horrendous due to the whistling and wind blowing through. Does that mean they're not suitable?

On the other vehicles, there is climate control or effective ventilation to a degree. I know what it's like downstairs on a B9 due to the heat thrown out on the engine, but you have the ability to move around if you find it unbearable. Likewise, with sitting on top of the driver, you can move around, there is plenty of space too. Where do you move to on one of those Mellors, you move from one uncomfortable seat to another. 

The E-leather seats on the Streelites are operator spec, so not quite sure where you're going with that one...

There is no denying it, those Mellors are absolutely rubbish, they're a cheap and nasty way of running a service with no incentive for the passenger. The opening windows are of little effect due to their design, they have awful ride quality, the seats specified show there is no thought process there, the pitch of the seats and space between them shows off how poor a design they are; its either they're not meant to have that many seats in them or they're all just incorrectly fitted.