A double decker bus is a great concept, but it has to start life as one. Our coaches are just not suitable for two levels due to the structural design.

Legal height limits around the country are 13' 6". take away 12" of ground clearance and divide the difference by 2 and considering the thickness of the floors and roof and the floor to ceiling dimensions are less than 6' 3", more likely 6' or less. Then consider how much of our bay space can be used for living area. It will not be the space for the holding tanks, or the space for fuel, or the space for the generator. Then take away the space required for the axles and the engine.

Pretty soon the result is a double decker with seriously compromised ceiling heights and a minimal gain in floor space due to the need for the stuff listed above. There is a reason why the Neoplan and other double decker concepts have never been embraced by converters. All of a sudden slides make a lot of sense.

Besides, who wants to drive a bus from a position that puts our eyes about even with where our headlights are? I often wonder how a driver of a vehicle with compromised stopping distances likes sitting so low he cannot see ahead so he can anticipate problems.