Probably for the manufacturer to mark up the price. I don't
know, just guessing.
From the YouTube videos, it looks like the button is at the
ceiling. If they can adjust the position to a level that is
reachable to the wheelchair users, the wheelchair users would be
able to operate the ramp themselves, without any help from the bus
driver.
Also, why is it that the closing is not smooth? From the YouTube
videos, I see that the door has to open and close again as the ramp
retreats to the bus.
Bode's design didn't require the doors to move one bit. And that
was more than 15 years ago, in Perth.
This project is not being taken seriously. Either the
manufacturer thinks that the massive order is already in the bag,
or they do not think an order will come and so it is not worth the
effort to do more.