BusTalk

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_bus_company_shut_down_after_officials_find_people_traveling_in_luggage_compartme.html

Jimbo · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:35 am Post subject:

When I drove charter coaches it would not be unusual for some "church" or "family" groups to ask if extra passengers could be accomodated. These groups would like to place three children in a seat or have some standees. Company policy was one (1) person per seat, the exception were infants that would be held by an adult the entire trip. Jokingly I was asked if some passengers could ride in the empty luggage bays or sit in the lavatory. My guess was the group on the coach from Michigan was one of these groups.

Q65A · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:30 pm Post subject:

Absolutely amazing that pax would be underfloor Shocked

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

Very sad....reminds me of those trafficking in illegal immigrants across the Mexican border in sweltering box trucks. Every now and them it goes bad and many perish in those virtual ovens.

Speaking of Mexico....I've seen some of their buses that actually put a berth with a window in a baggage bay for a relief driver....

Jimbo · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:40 am Post subject:

Many European coaches were built with a driver compartment underneath the floor of the coach for a relief driver. In the mid 80's I occasionally drove two M.A.N SR-280 Highliner coaches imported from Germany. The driver compartment had separate heating and AC controls, a reading lamp, an intercom to the driver on duty and two entrances, one from the outside and one from the inside. A small window allowed a view to the outside. I'm 5'3", 150 lbs. and the compartment was tight for me. To my knowledge it was never used as it was intended by my fellow drivers. It was used to store personal items and cleaning supplies.

Q65A · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:14 am Post subject:

A sleeper berth on a bus must be really tight as compared to a sleeper on a modern tractor trailer.

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

I know sure as heck, I wouldn't want to be in one of 'em.
The only company that I know of around here that utilize a berth for a relief driver is LaCubana on their NYC-Miami run.
Their berth is located in front of the lav, and has old Pullman style heavy curtains for privacy.