When it comes to school buses, the number of seats they can accommodate is an important factor. Conventional school buses, also known as type C models, typically have a capacity of around 80 passengers. This capacity is calculated with three students per seat, as the stereotypical school bus seat is 39 inches wide and is considered to have a seating capacity for three students. Federal regulations do not specify the exact number of people who can sit in a school bus seat, as it is up to the school bus manufacturer to determine the maximum seating capacity of the vehicle.
Manufacturers use this number to calculate the gross weight of the vehicle and the number of emergency exits. Generally, three younger people of elementary school age or two adults of middle school age can fit in a typical 39-inch school bus seat. A conventional school bus has 13 rows of seats on each side, although this number may vary depending on the type of vehicle being used. It is important to note that people who are not seated or partially seated outside of school bus seats will not have the occupant protection provided by school bus seats.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all passengers sit fully within the limits of the school bus seats while the bus is in motion. To sum up, conventional type C school buses typically have a capacity of about 80 passengers, calculated with three students per seat. The number of rows of seats may vary depending on the type of vehicle being used, and it is important for all passengers to be seated within the limits of the school bus seats while in motion.
