Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Commercial Vehicles (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles/)

-   -   The Best Inter-City Bus Configuration (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles/129213-best-inter-city-bus-configuration.html)

Hello All,

This is a poll to help us find out which is the best suited seat configuration for an Inter-city Bus

I have included all the options we have at the moment
1. The 2x2 Push back seats
2. The 2x1 Pusb back seats
3. The 2x2 Semi-sleeper push back seats
4. Lower 2x1 push back seats and upper 2x1 Berths
5. 2x1 Berths
6. Train style 4 Berths in a compartment

I voted for 2x1 Push back, i never found sleepers comfortable.

Same here, neither the semi sleeper or sleeper configuration are comfortable.

I avoid travelling by bus if distance to be traveled is more than 250km. I prefer non-AC sleeper coach of train than AC seater bus. If I have to travel in bus, the preference would be sleeper coach.

I would prefer 2+1 style of seats with moderate reclining capacities. I somehow feel that having sleeper arrangements makes builders squeeze out the berths to increase carrying capacity. On the other hand, a bus with 2+1 seating can be feasible and the price premium can also be kept in control, without affecting revenues.

BTW, can someone tell me the difference between push back 2+2 and semi sleeper 2+2?

Push back means - plain old push back seats that only recline

Push back semi-sleeper - They are the ones that have calf support

I have a preference for 2x1 sleepers, especially if a Volvo is configured this way

A very relevant thread indeed. Have loved the 2x1 push back which used to ply between Blr - Mlr and Chennai earlier before the Volvos came to mainstream action.

The seat width is really very comfortable and one would not nudge the co-passenger at all and especially if the other one was a total stranger it would be unpleasant experience.

This configuration is found less and less with intercity operators. Can anyone tell which one plies to Chennai nowadays?

Save for the OLIVEA there is no other 2x1 seater plying to Chennai nowadays

With the 2x1, body builders used to lessen the leg room between seats and that was not such a big issue since the width let you splay your legs and get more comfortable
- The 2x1 used to give the Operator 31 seats instead of the deregeiur 35, it meant a loss of 4 seats and Operators used to make up the money by charging a premium. Guess that is what killed the 2x1 seater, had they thought that anyways the last 5 seats remained empty most of the time and would average out the loss of 4 seats in the long run we might have had more 2x1 seaters today
- This was an awesome deal for ladies travelling alone, they could book a single seater and have a carefree ride

I find 2X2 configuration, specially of BMTC Airavat volvos more comfortable than sleepers.

I prefer 2x1 pushback more comfortable even for overnight journey. I have tried complete sleepers couple of times and found them very uncomfortable and bumpy.

2x2 reclinable seats is what I would prefer the most. Speed breakers, pot holes, heavy braking, air horns and people's chatter don't really put anyone to sleep. Having to sleep on a reclineable seat is way better than not being able to sit up when one can't sleep.

Hi Arun,

Depends on the tenure of the journey, I did a Bombay-Goa in a Neeta Sleeper. Was super excited, but it turned out to be the worst way to travel. I was tossed around whenever the bus braked or accelerated. Thrown sideways whenever there was a turn. So a sleeper is a total no-no IMHO.
A train runs on more or less a straight line and has a much robust shock absorbers. So you don't get thrown around. And the trains are designed with a sleeper system, right from the sketching stage.

The Single Berth in the 2nd pic may be a better option than the one I traveled in. As I would like to lie flat (as much as possible), if I am doing an overnight journey. If you can keep the berths sideways. Meaning instead of facing the driver or the front of the bus, each passenger is facing sideways. Like the berths in the trains.

This may however cause the passengers to feel nauseous.

Tough spot to be in :)
I guess I would try the side-facing single berths. And If I want to play it safe.
1. The 2x2 Push back seats
2. The 2x1 Pusb back seats (this would be super spacious)

All the Best

My vote would depend on the type of roads and the distance .

If its good roads and just an overnight journey , a sleeper bus is what I might prefer .Dont understand the logic of having individual TVs in a sleeper bus .

Sleeper berths are a strict no ,if the journey is over bad roads or long ghats with tight turns. Same with journeys which might be more just than an overnight travel . One is forced to lie down for the entire journey .

A 2X1 might be a safer option which can be used on all types of routes/distances.

I am okay with even a 2X2 seating as long as there is sufficient leg room .

I have voted for 2 X 1 Push back. And if it is a Volvo/ Merc in that format, then that's real added bonus.

I don't sleep while traveling, so in a way sleepers are useless to me.
And thanks to my built, people are uncomfortable sitting beside me in a 2 X 2 Push Back format.

Actually, I never use the 'Push Back' function. It is always a 'sit upright' position for me.:D

Cheers,
Abhijeet