Ban on 3+2 seating could make schoolbuses even longer

摘要

The next generation of schoolbuses may have to be built on significantly longer chassis if an anticipated ban on 3+2 seating is introduced in four years' time. Adoption of European Union bus construction directive 2001/85 will make it impossible for manufacturers to build new vehicles with 3+2 seating - three seats one side of the gangway, two the other - after 2011/12. It sets a minimum seat cushion width of 450mm (17.7in) for all buses or coaches, making it impossible to accommodate five seats of that width, and a gangway, within the 2.55m limit.