Vending machines on buses have been tried - unsuccessfully. They break down because of the motion and vibration.
However, a manned food vending station might work on some routes at some times of day.
Hot-dog vending carts are fairly compact, and self- contained.
This idea would work best on double-decker buses.
The food vending station serves a limited range of beverages and snack/breakfast foods. Typically the station would operate to serve commuters who have skipped breakfast in a suburban location and want something to eat before arriving at work.
The vendor would not only serve food, but collect bus fares and issue tickets, thus meaning shorter stops as the driver can move off as soon as all passengers have boarded. The vendor is also responsible for tidying up any spills or waste packaging not placed in the clearly marked bins.
Vendors would generally be paid very low wages, and recruited from illegal immigrants without documentation which keeps costs down - the same policy has been used with success by a number of prominent politicians, right up to the point when they got found out.-- 8th of 7, Jul 28 2012 This guy should be on halfbakery. http://www.youtube....TACUA0&feature=plcpThe "brain crack" video has some other priceless ideas. [DIYMatt, Jul 29 2012] They let you eat on the bus over there?-- ytk, Jul 28 2012 Some do, some don't.-- 8th of 7, Jul 28 2012 Coach lines (not transit buses) in the northeast US used to have a guy that went up the aisle selling shitty stale snack food and room-temperature soda at each stop, whilst simultaneously chastising those who brought their own food. I haven't ridden Greyhound or Trailways in several years, so I don't know if this is still common practice.-- Alterother, Jul 28 2012 // 'no eating' policy here.//
How can you have a "no eating" policy on public transport?-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jul 28 2012 How strange, I watched a video last night [link] and heard an idea for vending machines on buses, then tonight I see this.-- DIYMatt, Jul 29 2012 But what about the candles, and let's not forget the wine list for heaven's sake.
Cuts to 2020,...trying to get on the no. 9 bus, clippie saying "Certainly you do have a ticket, but do you have a reservation?"-- not_morrison_rm, Jul 29 2012 'The vendor would not only serve food, but collect bus fares and issue tickets' And deal with fights in the queue between those who just want a ticket and those whose burger got cold?-- Phrontistery, Jul 29 2012 Yes … it's called "multi-skilling" …-- 8th of 7, Jul 29 2012 No, I'm still taxed by the problem of storing the Krug properly, a shocking lack of provision of wine storage on the average Routemaster bus.
I think they did manage to crack the problem on the First Class carriages on the Tube, so perhaps ask them?-- not_morrison_rm, Jul 29 2012 // First Class carriages on the Tube //
Shhhh … the reintroduction of First is meant to be a closely guarded secret … you're running the risk of having your black oyster card taken away ...-- 8th of 7, Jul 29 2012 In Norway (Norge) the longer-distance buses are not only clean and modern, many have a young host or hostess who sells coffee and lefse with sugar, butter and cinnamon.-- sqeaketh the wheel, Jul 29 2012 What, no koldtbord ? How passengers must suffer ...-- 8th of 7, Jul 29 2012 On the shinkansen there's a vending machine, you can buy beer and smoke (in the smoking area that is about the same size as shed, with all the 497 other smokers already in there, cough, cough).-- not_morrison_rm, Jul 30 2012 //How can you have a "no eating" policy on public transport?//
I know a guy who got fined for eating a banana on the subway platform.-- ytk, Jul 30 2012 er, that is open to alternative interpretations...-- not_morrison_rm, Jul 30 2012 This would be better if, rather than installing a typical and let's be honest somewhat prosaic hot dog stand ("Make me one with everything"), the many handrails and metal tubes on the bus interior were like the airtubes in pre-Depression skyscrapers but instead of transporting documents, hot, fresh hotdogs skoosh through the piping to the button-pressing/ hotdog-ordering commuters, straight into their gaping gobholes for immediate munching, or storing in jacket pocket, like a sweaty meat cohiba.-- calum, Jul 30 2012 The thing about vending is that your menu has to be very limited so that the transactions can take place less than 30 seconds. The worst thing would be missing your stop after standing on a LONG line and waiting for the vendor to prepare your hotdog.-- Jscotty, Jul 31 2012 I'm still a little concerned about the consommé, surely it would be better to have kitchen area on the upper deck to prevent sloshing on the stairs?
You know how chef takes it when that happens. Luckily the cooking sherry was under lock and key this time, so none of that having to do with tinned consommé.-- not_morrison_rm, Jul 31 2012 I sense a new Gordon Ramsay series in the offing.-- Phrontistery, Jul 31 2012 Is that a serious threat?-- not_morrison_rm, Jul 31 2012 I predict a new range of Routemaster recipes marketed by Gordy under the brand 'Bad Boys Bussery'.-- Phrontistery, Jul 31 2012 random, halfbakery