I saw a video where the driver of a single-decker bus got out to help a passenger and the bus rolled off, eventually crashing into a house. I'd like to think that if I were a passenger on that bus I would try to do something. And the obvious is to pull the handbrake. But do UK busses have handbrakes or a similar device?
Do busses have handbrakes?
- Thread starter Quartz
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Soldato
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Yes, they do.
At least share the video, man.
At least share the video, man.
Sorry, but it was part of a compilation and I don't remember which one.
The red one
I can only speak to the ones on our fleet but dependant on the age of the vehicle they technically have 2 or 3.
1. Master Brake - Manually operated by the driver & should be engaged at all stops
2. Brahms Brake - Auto engages when brake air is too low. Some vehicles also have a manual pull.
3. Auto/Hold Brake - Mainly on the more modern model (2014>) An auto brake connected to various other systems like doors, cab door. Usually requires an additional input from driver to release even if Master is released, usually a tap and release of either brake or throttle pedal.
On newer vehicles, ones fitted with the Auto/Hold brake you cannot operate the doors unless the handbrake is on. Additionally if the cab door is opened and the handbrake isn't engaged then an audible warning is sounded. This is also retrofitted to many of the older vehicles.
Are these immediately and obviously visible?
Soldato
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No he puts his foot on the road to act like a chock.
That's the Master handbrake.
The 2nd one isn't as obvious if it's got a manual pull
The 3rd is electronic so not at all.
I'm not sure many car drivers would recognise that. Remember that in this sort of situation you rarely have much time to think. It's on the wrong side for starters and doesn't appear to be labelled - unless that's the label the steering wheel is covering. Fortunately I see what looks like a standard footbrake pedal and so I'd probably plump for that.
It says HANDBRAKE on the silver plate nearest the green and red buttons (door controls)
Ah, the text in the pic is too small for me to read. But that makes a big difference!
Associate
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In an hgv , typically the handbrake is a flip-over lever like in the picture and not the typical pull up, button on the end of a lever or a pull up button behind the gear stick you would look for in a car.
In the 4 axle volvo tippers I used to drive, the lever has a collar that you had to lift in order to move it. ( like lifting the underside of a gearstick to select reverse)
In the 4 axle volvo tippers I used to drive, the lever has a collar that you had to lift in order to move it. ( like lifting the underside of a gearstick to select reverse)
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