How do I figure seating capacity for a bus or AAV used for transporting preschool children?
Start with the width of the seat and the width of the child safety seats that will be placed on the bus seat. Most bench bus seats will only accommodate 2 child safety seats. A child safety seat may not be placed in an exit row nor may the base of a safety seat extend beyond the edge of the bus seat into the aisle. Figure maximum spacing between bus seats. Bus seat width, safety seat base width and seat spacing are the variables that determine capacity for a preschool bus, not the capacity stated by the manufacturer. The use of safety vests may allow more children per seat, but each seating position must have a cam wrap and lap belt or cam wrap with hip fasteners.
