DLT announces policy to control double-decker buses

 

 

BANGKOK, 11 December 2017 (NNT) – The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has launched a policy to regulate double-decker buses to ensure safety of the passengers. 

DLT Director General Sanit Phromwong said under the new ministerial regulations, the height of the double-decker buses registered with the DLT from March 19, 2017 is set at no more than four meters. 

The double-decker buses registered before March 19, 2017, can still operate as usual unless they are modified. 

The regular buses and double-decker buses to make a new registration with the DLT must meet the set mechanical engineering safety standards for safety of the passengers.

 

-- nnt 2017-12-11

Unfortunately, this will probably be no different to the 'no passengers travelling in the back of pick ups' policy, also launched to ensure the safety of passengers.

When you launch these policies, they should be enforced rigidly, with severe penalties for offenders.

Now all the drivers are going to drive much better, and we all feel much safer.

Regulate bus height all you want.

What is needed is driver regulation/training, that will make traveling in buses a lot safer.

Double decker bus drivers all over Thailand will be letting the air out of the tyres  to meet the 4 metre rule

In all seriousness how are they going to measure 4 metres. A police pick up or motorbike with a 4 metre ruler hanging off the back. They come out with some shit but this is a classic

And I was thinking that Double-deck busses where banned by the Government last year........

 

An easy way to get round this is to lower the roads.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The double-decker buses registered before March 19, 2017, can still operate as usual unless they are modified. 

In thailand a bus stays in service for about 30-50 years, so i guess we have to wait some time to see actual improvements in road deaths due to this new measure (assuming it is being enforced).

The fact that double-decker buses are used in other countries without serious incident is, to coin a phrase, ‘an inconvenient truth’.

 

I saw one report here when a double-decker bus went round a bent too fast and ended up on its side. It was claimed they were dangerous – nothing to do with irresponsible driving of course.

 

As a kid I used to collect bus numbers (yes, I know!) and I do remember that double-decker buses are subject to a ‘tilt test’ they have to pass before being allowed on the road. IIRC, I think it was around 28 degrees.

I remember watching film shot at a test track where the driver deliberately threw the bus into a skid to try and tip it over. Never succeeded. Obviously they should have employed a Thai bus driver to do the test.

I thought "modified" buses were banned in 2013? Oh well  On anither note: 4m is very short for a double decker bus. I'm not tall, but by the time I step onto a bus my head is 2m above the ground. I appreciate some headroom before I walk up the stairs. Seems like someone pulled s measurement out their ass.

8 minutes ago, SABloke said:

I thought "modified" buses were banned in 2013? Oh well  On anither note: 4m is very short for a double decker bus. I'm not tall, but by the time I step onto a bus my head is 2m above the ground. I appreciate some headroom before I walk up the stairs. Seems like someone pulled s measurement out their ass.

Just to use some London buses as an example.

From what I can see, depending on the model the height varies around 13’9” to 14’9” (about 4.2m – 4.5m). So yes, it looks like 4m is an “out of the hat” figure.

 

There again, remember where we are – forward planning and researching data not always seen as important.

2 hours ago, Dave67 said:

In all seriousness how are they going to measure 4 metres. A police pick up or motorbike with a 4 metre ruler hanging off the back. They come out with some shit but this is a classic

 

All bridges are being reduced in height to a clearance of 4.05 meters.

 

This way they only have to measure the bridge once instead of the vehicles many times.

1 hour ago, SABloke said:

I thought "modified" buses were banned in 2013? Oh well  On anither note: 4m is very short for a double decker bus. I'm not tall, but by the time I step onto a bus my head is 2m above the ground. I appreciate some headroom before I walk up the stairs. Seems like someone pulled s measurement out their ass.

maybe they will only allow very short people to board.

Just now, marko kok prong said:

maybe they will only allow very short people to board.

That's just a tall story...

3 hours ago, Dave67 said:

Double decker bus drivers all over Thailand will be letting the air out of the tyres  to meet the 4 metre rule

Or

4 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Or

Ah yes, the "height adjuster"

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

Just to use some London buses as an example.

From what I can see, depending on the model the height varies around 13’9” to 14’9” (about 4.2m – 4.5m). So yes, it looks like 4m is an “out of the hat” figure.

 

There again, remember where we are – forward planning and researching data not always seen as important.

a number of seemingly credible sources have noted that these tall buses shouldnt be on high speed highways at all;

their usage should be limited to the hong kong island style; low speed intra-city

Fit all buses with speed restricters. Then teach the drivers to drive. 

Don't they "vow" to "crackdown"...?

Then it is worthless! 

12 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Unfortunately, this will probably be no different to the 'no passengers travelling in the back of pick ups' policy, also launched to ensure the safety of passengers.

When you launch these policies, they should be enforced rigidly, with severe penalties for offenders.

 

Long time ago all double decker were supposed to be banned...

 

Ridiculous people in a ridiculous country ! So happy not to be born here and be able to live whenever I wont stand all this BS anymore !

 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Confuscious said:

And I was thinking that Double-deck busses where banned by the Government last year........

 

 

Exactly !!!