sealing coach emergency exits

zap

I have been on a coach a few times - it was one of those coaches that have an emergency half way down on the right in the cente and at the very back just before the 5 seats on the left. However, the emergency exit half way down had had the stairway down to the emergency exit covered and a seat screwed to where the space used to be i.e. there were 2 extra seats - is this allowed?

johnnyrotten

Not allowed if its an emergency exit - Report him

BuffyBot

There are plenty of coaches like that, including more than a few in the Bus Eireann fleet (particularily, it seems on models cascaded from the CIE Tours fleet to standard service). I guess it is allowed, if not particularily sensible. Allows for higher density seating, I suppose - once the other exits are operable, the middle one is probably surplus to the legal requirements.

John R

johnnyrotten wrote:

Not allowed if its an emergency exit - Report him

Not true, a second emergency exit does not have to be provided at all.

A centre drivers side exit is often provided in addition to the rear emergency exit. It is not required by law and is perfectly legal to block up.

Bus Eireann tour coaches have them on some coaches as the rear exit is not at ground level and a regular passenger exit is required on both sides. When they transfer them to service use an offside exit is not required so they remove them and permenently pannel up the gap.