City bus commuters furious at missing their stops due to blocked windows

Poor visibility in wet conditions has left commuters unable to see out the windows of public busses, putting them at risk of missing their stop each time there’s a downpour.

Public transport users in capital cities across the country have argued both safety and visibility was compromised when busses were fully wrapped with advertising banners.

Residents in Brisbane have taken a stance against the buses spearheading a public campaign to have the banners removed.

A photo taken by Brisbane resident Zerah Fox showed how difficult it was to see out the windows when there was water sitting on top of banners.

Ms Fox raised concerns that travellers, including school children, might not be familiar with their bus route or landmarks and therefore miss their stop, or get off at the wrong one.

“Anything for money. It is another form of graffiti,” social media user Steven Edwards said.

“There could be an ongoing security situation making it difficult to see into the vehicle, and for police to asses a security threat,” Robert Dow said on Facebook.

“Additionally it makes it difficult for passengers to attract the attention of outsiders if needed. You don’t see London buses with blocked windows.”

‘Public transport vehicles have windows for a reason’

Brisbane-based public transport lobby group, Rail Back on Track, launched a petition in 2018 to have the advertising on public busses reduced.

“There has been an increasing use of all over advertising wraps on buses, trains, trams and ferries for a number of years now. These advertising wraps usually cover windows and block clear vision,” a Facebook post from the group read.

“Public transport vehicles have windows for a reason, it is to allow passengers to see out of and into public transport vehicles…. why do transport authorities treat passengers with contempt and block the windows?.”

The group suggested “advertising revenue gained from these wraps could be maintained by more appropriate advertising placement”.

Brisbane City Council told Yahoo7 it was aware there was concern from the public relating to advertising on its public busses, however believed it had acted sufficiently to minimise any risks.

“The number of fully-wrapped buses represents just five per cent of Brisbane City Council’s entire bus fleet,” a statement from the council read.

“These wraps are all made from perforated material to maintain visibility through the windows for passengers and to meet Australian Standards.

“In response to public feedback, the wrap material was upgraded in 2015 to a more transparent product that has more perforations and viewing holes per square metre.

“The wrap design on Brisbane’s Blue CityGlider buses has recently been refreshed to improve passenger visibility. Council is also reviewing the wrap being used on the Maroon CityGlider buses.”

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