- published: 21 May 2013
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A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates (Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.).
Almost all double-deckers have a single, rigid chassis. Some double-deckers are used solely for sight-seeing tours; as William Ewart Gladstone observed, "...the way to see London is from the top of a 'bus". (Gladstone was referring to London's once ubiquitous double-deck horse drawn omnibuses, rather than a motor bus).
Cities listed here use double-decker buses as part of their regular mass transit fleet. Cities with only tourist and sightseeing double-decker buses are excluded.
Double-decker buses are in common use throughout the United Kingdom, and have been favoured over articulated buses by many operators because of the shorter length of double-deckers, and less need to have standing capacity. The majority of double decker buses in the UK are between 9.5 metres (31 ft 2 in) and 11.0 metres (36 ft 1 in) long, the latter being more common since the mid-1990s, though there are three-axle 12 metres (40 foot) models in service with some operators. Double-decker coaches in the UK have traditionally been 12.0 metres in length, though many newer models are about 13.75 metres (45 ft 1 in). The maximum permissible length of a rigid double-decker bus and coach in the UK is 15.0 metres (49 ft 3 in), and although there are no theoretical restrictions on height, coaches are normally built to 4.38 metres (14 ft 4 in) high, while 'highbridge' buses are normally about 20 centimetres (8 in) taller. Articulated double-deckers are also allowed at a maximum length of 18.75 metres (61 ft 6 in).
A double-decker is a vehicle that has two levels for passengers or cargo, one deck above the other. Such vehicles include:
A double-decker may also refer to:
Well just you walk, down any street
You're sure to be, one of us
Well if you don't be, one of us
You're sure to see, a double decker bus
Get aboard, now don't you fuss
Go for a ride, on this double decker bus
Oh It can take, you so far away
Take you back to the city, on some other day
Cmon get aboard, oh don't you fuss
Oh go please go for a ride, on our double decker buss
Oh it can take take take you, so far away