Mobility buses badly designed for the elderly

11:58am Thursday 15th November 2001

Are you finding it increasingly difficult to find a vacant seat on the bottom deck of the bus? Wheelchair buses (most of those on the 208 route) are a good idea but a badly executed one.

I speak as someone whose wife spent her last months in a wheelchair.

The seats which remain after the wheelchair space is provided are cramped together in an unnatural way and those on the raised platform at the rear are difficult for older people to negotiate when getting on to them.

They are also impossible to get down from if you are carrying bags, as there are no overhead handles for support when the bus is moving.

I could sense other bus users agreed recently when an elderly lady refused a seat offered by a well-meaning youngster on the rear platform.

These buses are difficult to negotiate when shopping and the bucket-shaped seats seem to be made for the smaller person.

Designers, please remember people come in different sizes, and are now forced more frequently to use the top deck due to the lack of space downstairs.

Allan Broadfield

Holmcroft Way

Bromley

Times Pictures