I wonder if I heard correctly but it’s to be maximum 18 passengers, just imagine in late October the clocks have changed , it’s 5pm, dark ,pissin down and want to get home from a city centre it’s going to get tough

You’re pretty much spot on. Depends on the operator and bus layout but capacity being limited to around 15% of normal. Operators being asked to manage boardings though drivers are understandably reluctant to police it an prevent people boarding on absolute numbers.