Code of conduct for school students travelling on buses

Students have the right to be safe, respected and treated fairly. 

The role of students is to be a safe and responsible passenger and respect the driver, other passengers and property.

Responsibilities

To act safely and responsibly by:

• presenting their bus pass or paying a fare when required

• following bus driver instructions 

• following the bus rules and the Code

• respecting themselves and others 

• respecting their own property and the property of others

• communicating respectfully with others

• not interfering with operation of the bus

• accepting consequences for bus misconduct, which can include refusal of travel.

Expected behaviours 

• Hail the bus and wait in an orderly manner.

• Respect other people and property.

• Behave in a way that ensures a safe bus journey for all passengers by:

  • following bus rules

  • staying in the right place

  • behaving in a calm, non-aggressive way

  • keeping hands and feet to self

  • speaking politely 

  • storing all objects safely.

• Get off the bus in an orderly manner.

• Follow the bus driver’s instructions.

Parents and guardians have the right to safe and comfortable travel for their children and to be respected, treated fairly and consulted about the behaviour of their children.

The role of parents and guardians is to actively support bus safety with their school aged children and engage respectfully with all stakeholders. 

Parents and guardians should always communicate respectfully and cooperate with the bus driver, bus operator (including staff) and department staff. Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated and may be reported to the police.

Responsibilities

• Ensure their children are capable of travelling independently on the bus. 

• Provide their children with a fare / valid bus travel pass / smart card. 

• Ensure there are funds on their student’s smart card.

• Support their children to understand of the Code, the bus rules and expected behaviour.

• Communicate respectfully with the bus driver, bus operator (including staff), school and department staff. 

• Teach their children about bus safety and raise their awareness of the consequences for misconduct, which can include refusal of travel. 

• Demonstrate appropriate bus travel behaviours to their children. 

• Cooperate with the school, bus operator and bus driver in managing bus misconduct.

• Ensure the safe travel of their children to and from the bus stop. 

• Be available for discussions about the behaviour of their children. 

• Cooperate with the implementation of agreed consequences including refused travel for a period, and/or the use of behaviour agreements to support improvements in students’ travel behaviour.

• Ensure that a student who has been refused travel does not attempt to use the bus service.

Expected behaviours 

• Cooperate with their children’s school and the bus operator in discussing behaviour incidents and in implementing any agreed disciplinary action, such as making alternative travel arrangements during a period of refused travel. 

• Communicate with the bus operator and the school about their children’s bus transport and respond to phone and written communication. 

• Raise concerns about their children’s bus travel or the bus service promptly by contacting the bus operator so relevant issues can be managed using the Code.

• Not approach the bus driver to discuss concerns while they are in control of the bus.

• Comply with a direction by the bus driver, or authorised officer, not to enter a vehicle.

• Adhere to decisions made by the bus operator regarding any refusal of travel for their child. Noting there is a process for raising a complaint or requesting a review of a decision to refuse travel.

Schools have the right to safe and comfortable travel for their students and to be consulted and receive accurate information about their students’ school bus behaviour.

The role of schools is to promote bus safety and collaborate in the management of student bus safety.

Responsibilities

• Communicate respectfully and collaborate with stakeholders in implementing the Code. 

• Support bus operators in the application of the Code’s procedures and processes. 

• Consider requests from bus operators for the disclosure of student personal information to support administration of the Code in line with established procedures.

• Reinforce safe bus travel and the Code’s messages in school-based processes.

• Facilitate effective communication between bus operators, students and and parents/guardians.

Expected behaviours 

• Provide information on the Code to parents/guardians.

• Support the bus operator in implementing consequences for school students who breach the Code which can include refusal of travel.

• Collaborate with bus operators and parents/guardians in relation to their students’ travel behaviour.

• Ensure a suitable level of supervision at school bus collection points, where appropriate. 

• Reinforce with students the need for safe and responsible behaviour on buses and the expectation to present a valid bus travel pass or pay a fare when required. 

Bus drivers have the right to be safe, respected, treated with courtesy, trained in the Code and behaviour management strategies and to receive support from the bus operator in dealing with issues of student misconduct.

The role of the bus driver is to drive the bus safely and to follow the Code for managing bus misconduct. 

Responsibilities

• Drive safely. 

• Undertake training on bus driver roles and responsibilities under the Code. 

• Utilise behaviour management strategies appropriately in handling bus behaviour. 

• Follow the Code’s procedures and the bus operator’s directions, policies and procedures. 

• Communicate in a clear, appropriate and respectful manner. 

• Promptly record and inform the bus operator of student behaviour incidents (including fare evasion) and the action taken. 

• Treat students fairly and with respect.

Expected behaviours 

• Respect passengers and their property. 

• Always drive professionally and safely. 

• Always behave and communicate professionally and courteously.

• Be fair and consistent in dealing with passengers. 

• Follow the Code’s procedures and the operator’s bus rules promptly, consistently and impartially.

Bus operators have the right to be respected, treated courteously, supported by stakeholders in the appropriate implementation of the Code and to receive payment of a fare by all passengers where applicable.

The role of the bus operator is to ensure the quality operation of bus services.

Responsibilities

• Ensure drivers are appropriately trained and supported to implement the Code.

• Communicate respectfully with stakeholders to collaboratively manage student behaviour on buses. 

• Implement the Code in a fair and consistent manner. 

• Keep clear records of behaviour incidents involving school students, including actions taken. 

• Ensure students and drivers travel in a safe environment.

Expected behaviours 

• Follow processes outlined in the Code. 

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement appropriate consequences when dealing with students who breach the Code (this may include other bus operators). 

• Clearly communicate reasons for decisions to relevant parties. 

• Support and train drivers, as required, to effectively implement the Code. 

• Apply principles of natural justice in making decisions related to the Code. 

• Comply with Operator Accreditation and Code requirements relating to reporting breaches of the Code and the consequences of refused bus travel.

Conveyance committees have the right to safe and comfortable travel for their students, accurate information when discussing incidents of student misconduct and to be respected and treated courteously 

The role of the conveyance committee is to assist schools and bus operators in maintaining the Code’s standards on buses. 

Responsibilities

• Treat all Code-related discussions confidentially. 

• Adhere to the Code’s processes and procedures. 

• Encourage students to behave appropriately when travelling on buses.

Expected behaviours 

• Cooperate with bus operators and schools in managing school student behaviour on buses.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has the right to safe travel for school students travelling on buses, effective implementation of the Code by bus operators and bus drivers and cooperation between all parties to resolve issues of bus misconduct.

The role of the Department of Transport and Main Roads is to develop the Code’s guidelines and oversee its effective implementation. 

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to stakeholders in relation to implementing the Code.

• Monitor and review bus operators’ compliance with the Code. 

• Manage review processes for students who are refused bus travel for breaching the Code.

• Investigate complaints about bus operators and/or bus drivers in relation to school student bus travel.

• Undertake Code policy reviews, as appropriate.

Expected behaviours 

• Collaborate with stakeholders to support the effective implementation of the Code. 

• Ensure the requirements of the Code are clearly communicated and easily accessed. 

• Promote resources to assist in the effective implementation of the Code. 

• Provide relevant training and information to staff in relation to the Code. 

• Follow departmental guidelines when investigating complaints and undertaking the review process.

Definition: Behaviour that is irresponsible but not likely to cause harm.

• Swearing and shouting at the bus driver from a distance.

• Offensive language or harmful messages in an format related to gender identity, ethnicity, sex, race, religion, disability, physical features or other identity characteristics.

• Tossing another student’s belongings to them out of the stationary bus.

• Placing feet on bus seat.

• Climbing over seats while the bus is stationary.

• Repeatedly playing loud music.

• Fare evasion.

• Not showing identification when asked or supplying a false name.

• Repeated touching of others when asked to stop.

• Littering in the bus.

Definition: Behaviour that is unsafe where there could be harm to property and/or others.

• Verbally abusing others, including the bus driver.

• Pushing and shoving others when getting on or off the bus or stopping others from getting on or off the bus.

• Slapping other students but not causing injury.

• Throwing light objects within the bus.

• Repeatedly moving around the bus.

• Refusing to wear the available seatbelt properly.

• Placing body parts outside of bus window.

• Yelling and screaming throughout the bus journey.

• Distracting bus driver with persistent talking or noise, or through use of electronic devices.

• Displaying, holding or exchanging an e-cigarette (vape) or cigarettes.

• Continually pressing ‘stop’ button.

• Ignoring bus driver's instructions.

• Using an electronic device to bully or intimidate others. 

• Taking photos, videos or audio recordings of other passengers or the bus driver without their consent.

• Leaving items in the bus aisle that have the potential to cause harm or injury.

Definition: Behaviour that is dangerous or destructive and highly likely to cause immediate harm to property and/or others.

• Threatening harm.

• Heckling or deliberately distracting the driver while driving.

• Physically attacking others, which may or may not cause injury.

• Throwing heavy objects at others or within the bus.

• Interfering with bus safety and emergency equipment for example, the window hammer or emergency door release.

• Using matches, lighters or other flammable items.

• Vaping or smoking on the bus. 

• Improper and nonconsensual sexual conduct, for example exposing body parts, unwanted physical contact or sexual conduct between consenting participants.

• Interfering with the operation of the bus.

• Setting off personal safety alarm near the bus driver.

• Taking photos of a sexual nature. 

• Accessing or sharing inappropriate content, for example violent, obscene or pornographic.

• Vandalism such as using a marker, pen, scissors or other implement to write on the bus seats or window, cut bus seat upholstery/seatbelts or etch initials in bus window.

Definition: Behaviour that is immediately life-threatening. 

• Forcing another passenger out of the vehicle.

• Threatening with or being in possession of a weapon or replica.

• Using objects or items as a weapon for example, sporting equipment, sharp implements, or heavy objects. 

• Spraying chemicals into another’s face.

• Hitting, pushing or interfering with the bus driver while driving.

• Throwing an object or weapon at passing vehicle or throwing projectiles at bus from outside the vehicle.

• Lighting a fire on the bus.

• Taking a bomb on the bus.

• Shining laser pointer into driver's eyes.