(14 Oct 2024, 1:26 pm)Adrian wrote The problem is, we keep building infrastructure that isn't!

Durham Bus Station is probably our most recent example (give or take a short period of time on North Shields), yet not a single stand could accommodate a dual door vehicle. Previously stand A could, but when they've rebuilt the station, the architects and their railings fetish strike again.

South Shields has one stand (P) that could be used for dual door vehicles, if again we didn't need pointless railings everywhere, and I've never been to North Shields, but looking at photos, there's no way you're getting a ramp out of rear doors there. 

I get that up here, single door vehicles are the norm, but when dual door vehicles are still very much compliant, it's a failing to not plan for their use when designing infrastructure, placing street furniture, raised/dropped kerbs and whatever else. Arguably in the same way that Eldon Square's re-build is too tight for the Plaxton coaches that were on the X9/X10.

Never mind duel door, many nowadays can't even accommodate anything with the engine at the front like Stratas, even Optare Solos were a struggle at Durham Bus Station pre works (unsure if they still are as currently nobody has this type) imagine those vans on steroids GCT use on the 40 being an issue.

An example, 21 Transport using a Strata at Harrogate Bus Station - much of the doorway being behind the railings