Dc Party Bus
Dc Party Bus
An articulated bus (either a motor bus or trolleybus), is a bus which is articulated, essentially meaning it can bend in the middle. They are usually of single-deck design. They comprise of two rigid parts linked together by a pivoting joint. This arrangement allows a longer legal overall length, and thus a higher passenger capacity than rigid single decker buses, while still allowing the bus to be turned within the limitations of the roads it is used on.
Articulated buses have various synonyms known around the world alluding to their articulated nature, such as tandem buses , bendy buses , banana buses , slinky buses , caterpillar buses or accordion buses . Due to their high passenger capacity, articulated buses are often used as part of bus rapid transit schemes, and can include mechanical guidance.
Used almost exclusively on public transport bus services, articulated buses are approximately 18 metres (60 ft) in length, compared to standard rigid buses which are usually 11 to 14 metres (36 to 46 ft) long. The common arrangement of an articulated bus is to have a forward vehicle with two axles towing a rear trailer portion which has one axle, although the driving axle can be either on the front or rear vehicle. Some models of articulated buses have a steering arrangement on the rearmost axle which turns slightly in opposition to the front steering axle, which allows the vehicle to negotiate turns in a crab-like fashion, similar to hook-and-ladder fire trucks operating in city environments. A less common variant of the articulated bus is the bi-articulated bus, where the vehicle has two trailer portions instead of one. Their capacity is around 200 persons, and their length about 25 metres (82 ft).
History
Early examples of the articulated bus appeared in Europe in the 1920s. In the mid-1960s, AC Transit in California pioneered the use of a modern articulated bus, operating the experimental General Motors bus "XMC 77" on one of its transbay lines. Articulated buses have also been used in Australia and Europe (Austria (Gräf & Stift), Italy, Germany (Gaubschat, Emmelmann, Göppel, Duewag, Vetter), Hungary (Ikarus), etc.) The first modern bendy buses in the UK were built by Leyland-DAB and used in the city of Sheffield, United Kingdom in the 1980s, but were withdrawn from service as they proved expensive to maintain.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main benefits of an articulated bus over the double-decker bus are rapid simultaneous boarding and disembarkation through more and larger doors, much larger passenger capacity (120+ versus 80−90), increased stability from a lower centre of gravity, a sometimes smaller turning radius, higher maximum speed, and accessibility to people with disabilities and the elderly.
One disadvantage that appears in some articulated bus is the effective motive power available to it. It is common for articulated buses to use the same engine as non-articulated buses (for example the Hungarian Ikarus 260 solo and IK 280 bendy share a common 10,350 cubic centimetres (631.6 cu in), 192 brake horsepower (143 kW; 195 PS) inline six diesel engine). This leads to a slower speed and acceleration, due to an increase of weight. When used in cities with many slopes (e.g. Vancouver, B.C., or San Francisco, California) the vehicle is prone to overheating, leading to stalling in the milder case and a fully fledged fire in the worst case if the bus is powered by a diesel engine. During late 2003, early 2004, a series of onboard fires on newly delivered Mercedes-Benz Citaros led to Londoners humorously nicknaming the vehicles Chariots of fire . Mercedes-Benz quickly addressed the problem, although the vehicles were out of service for a period. However, no overheating or fire incidents have ever been recorded in Vancouver's articulated electric trolley buses due to this. Likewise, articulated trolley buses were specifically chosen due to the higher torque output of electric motors, which typically outperform diesel-based low floor buses.
Under certain urban circumstances (such as in areas with high pedestrian volumes and narrow streets and tighter turns), articulated buses may also be involved in significantly more accidents. Estimates for the London articulated buses put their involvement at pedestrian accidents at over five times as high as for all other buses, and over twice as high with cyclist accidents. During a period in which articulated buses made up approximately 5% of the London bus fleet, they were involved in 20% of all bus-related deaths, statistics which eventually led to their replacement. Some element of these safety statistics may however be skewed by the buses being used on the busiest routes (in the most crowded areas of town), thus making them look worse than the buses they were being compared with.
Use
Articulated buses have been used in most European countries for many years. Until 1980, they were illegal on roads in the UK. Experiments by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, with buses by MAN and Leyland-DAB during 1979, led to a change in the law, but the experiment was abandoned in 1981 because double-decker buses were generally considered less expensive to purchase and operate. The cost and weight of the strengthened deck framing and staircase in a double-decker was lower than the cost and weight of the additional axle(s) and coupling mechanism of an articulated bus. Modern technology has reduced the weight issues, and the benefits of a continuous low floor allowing easier access and additional entrance doors for smoother loading have seen a reconsideration of the use of articulated buses.
Articulated buses became popular in mainland Europe as a means of increasing capacity. In many cities lower railway bridge clearances have precluded the use of double deck vehicles, and they have never gained great popularity there. Overhead wires for trams, trolleybuses etc. are not really relevant as the minimum normal clearance above road level is standard across the EU and is well clear of a double deck vehicle (otherwise many goods vehicles would have severe problems).
In London, articulated buses and their double-decker counterparts have replaced AEC Routemasters on most routes. Elsewhere in the UK, they are generally operated on specific routes to bolster patronage rather than on entire networks. Boris Johnson, the current Mayor of London has promised to rid the city of the controversial buses, and all articulated buses on route 38 already been decommissioned. He aims to replace all remaining buses within 12 years with a new generation of open-platform Future Routemaster.
In Israel, the use of articulated buses - commonly called long buses - is widespread, particularly in Gush Dan and Jerusalem, the two great urban centers of the country. The long buses are considered reliable and useful, and they served in Israel since the mid-seventies. During the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such buses were often targeted by Palestinian terrorists and suicide bombers during rush hours, since a crowded long bus can contain more than 100 passengers. Due to the al-Aqsa Intifada wave of mass bombings, security measures were enforced and today many long buses in Israel are accompanied by a security guard.
An articulated bus is a long vehicle and usually requires a specially trained driver, as maneuvering (particularly reversing) can be difficult. Articulated electric trolleybuses can be difficult to control with engines having momentary peak power in excess of 600 kilowatts (816 PS; 805 hp). The trailer section of a "puller" bus can be subject to unusual centripetal forces, which can be a discomfort for many people, although this is not an issue in "pushers". Nonetheless, the articulated bus is a total success in Budapest, Hungary, where the BKV city transit company has been running more than one thousand of them every day since the early 1970s. The Hungarian company Volán also runs hundreds of articulated buses on intercity lines.
Articulated buses are common fare in the US urban centres such as Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis-St.Paul, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Columbus, San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City, Pittsburgh, Orange County, California, Philadelphia, Phoenix, the Quad Cities, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. In Canada they are used in Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, suburban Montreal, London, southern York Region and Mississauga.
In Asia, many major Chinese cities had fleets of articulated buses prior to the late 1990s. Many of these fleets have since been replaced by single section units, with the
DC Party Bus Tours – Birthdays, Private Charters & Bachelorette ...
description goes here. Birthdays, Private Charters & Bachelorette Parties in Washington, DC! If you’re planning a special private event in DC, we’ve got one word for you ...
Virgina Limo Coach services. Maryland Party Bus, Washington Dc limo ...
Five Star Coachways delivers the most excellent Falls Church Party Bus Service , Potomac Party and Bethesda Party Buses.
DC NYE Party @ Bus Boys & Poets to benefit IVAW | Iraq Veterans ...
Have plans for New Year's Eve? Will you be in DC? Want to help raise funds for IVAW? Then buy a ticket for the Bus Boys & Poets New Year's eve party, check the box for IVAW and IVAW ...
DC Party Limo and Party Bus Service Washington DC, DC Limousine ...
Maryland limo service. Virginia limos. DC Limousines.DC Bus, Washington DC Bus, Washington DC Tours, DC Tours, DC Party Bus, We proudly serve the following airport(s): BWI ...
Party Bus Washington DC Party Bus Arlington Party Bus Limousine ...
Party Bus Washington DC Party Bus Arlington Party Bus Limousine Services. Beautiful new 26 passenger Party Bus in Washington DC, Alexandria, Arlington or anywhere in the tri-state ...
Washington, DC Nightlife Party Bus Tours – Pub Crawls, Bar Hopping ...
description goes here. DC Nightlife Party Bus Tours. Come join the party! The original DC party bus continues to be the destination of choice for those “in the know” in DC.
DC's Premier Party Bus - KegBus.com
The Kegbus is Washington DC’s Premier Party bus. Our fleet of customized party buses are complete with bar, bathroom, stereo systems and custom seating for 12 to 40 people.
DC Party Bus Service 703-468-1717 Party Bus Rentals - Party Buses ...
DC Party Bus Services, Party Bus Services Washington DC - Party Bus Services in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland
Washington DC Bus Charter - DC Party Bus - Wedding Bus Charter - DC ...
Charter Service Washington DC Party Bus Service is centrally located to provide limousine rental service all of Washington DC.
DC Coach Service 703-468-1717 Charter Bus Rentals - Buses Washington ...
DC Party Bus Services! Bachelor/ette party specials available as well as weekend DC bar hopping specials. More? Read here. DC Mini Bus Charters! For large or small groups needing luxury ...
