Doubledecker Trial

Scott Haynes, Tuesday, May 18, 2010

If you were travelling on Jersey’s roads last month, you might have noticed a somewhat larger then usual vehicle gracing the roads between St Helier and St Aubin.

Between Monday 26 April and Saturday 8 May inclusive, Mybus operated a double decker bus on the route 15 as part of trial run in conjunction with Transport and Technical Services to investigate whether double deckers could become part of the Island’s regular bus fleet.

The trial was inspired by the growing number of passengers travelling on the route 15 (St Helier to the Airport via St Aubin) which accounts for almost a quarter of all passengers carried on the network.

The double decker was considered as a possible way of improving both capacity and comfort on this route. The bus which undertook the trial had 67 seats (compared to a maximum of 41 on the largest of the single decker buses currently in the fleet) and was licenced to carry a further 14 standing passengers. It also had wheelchair access and luggage space.

Supplied by its UK manufacturer Alexander Dennis, the bus features the latest technology to achieve low levels of carbon emissions and high fuel efficiency.

During the trial, surveys were undertaken both on board the double decker and on other route 15 services to gauge passengers’ reactions to the vehicle.

Commenting on the trial, Transport and Technical Services Minister Connétable Mike Jackson said: ‘The trial was very exciting and we will be reviewing feedback from everyone involved, including passengers, to help us understand whether double deckers should be a part of jersey’s bus service in the future.’

Eric Le Roux, Managing Director of Connex Transport Jersey Ltd added: ‘Connex is committed to enhancing public transport for existing passengers as well as introducing innovative ideas to attract more people on to the buses. The trial was an exciting and high profile campaign to highlight the benefits of bus travel while assessing the long term feasibility of double deckers on Jersey roads.

‘I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who travelled on the double decker and everyone who took the time to complete the passenger survey.’

Further feedback from the trial will follow once the operational reports and passenger comments have been analysed.