Transit Systems NSW has asked us to remind students and their families about traveling on school services and regular route buses.
All passengers are responsible for their behaviour, to act in a manner that ensure the safety and comfort of other passengers and drivers. This includes:
- Behaviour on buses
- Safety on or near buses
- Using bus passes
A copy of Transport for NSW's Student Code of Conduct is below, outlining the expectations for student behaviour when travelling on school buses and regular route buses.
It is a condition of the use of a School Opal card that students must tap on at the beginning of trip and tap off at the end of a trip using an Opal Card Reader. This is also a requirement of travel on all public transport (buses and trains). This information is used by the bus companies to decide the number of bus services for the school.
Please discuss this with your child to ensure their safe travel to and from school every day.
If you have questions about your child travelling to school on buses, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 9892 2654 and ask to speak with the relevant Deputy Principal.
Student Code of Conduct
The following Code of Conduct sets out acceptable standards of behaviour for students travelling on school buses and regular route buses.
Students are expected to follow these rules for the safety and comfort of all passengers, including themselves. If the rules are not followed, it may lead to the withdrawal of travel passes for subsidised travel, banning students from travelling on buses, and even police prosecution and court action.
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES
It is every student's responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes:
Behaviour on buses:
- Use appropriate language not offensive or racist language
- Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted
- No eating or drinking (other than water) - unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission
- Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers Do not touch, push or shove other people
- Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature.
- Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of emergency
- Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers.
Safety on and near buses:
- Obey reasonable directions from the driver (e.g. where to sit or to remain in the bus)
- Remain in your seat - do not move around the bus unnecessarily
- If standing, remain behind the front passenger seat and keep a secure hand hold at all times
- Keep bags and other items clear of the aisle
- Do not allow any part of your body to protrude out of the bus at any time
- Wait for the bus in a quiet and orderly manner - including at bus interchanges
- Stand away from the roadside until the bus comes to a complete stop
- Allow other passengers to leave the bus before stepping onto the bus in a single line
- Wait until the bus stops before moving to get off the bus at your designated stop
- Wait until the bus leaves the stop and you have clear vision before crossing the road
- Cross the road where and when it's safe to do so, use crossings/traffic lights where available.
Legal considerations on buses:
- Wear the seat belt properly adjusted and fastened, if one is available
- Obey the law that bans smoking on buses
- Ensure that buses are not vandalised - report any damage, e.g. graffiti and window etching, to the driver
- Do not interfere with bus property, equipment and signage
- Do not leave rubbish on the bus, or at bus stops or interchanges.
Using bus passes:
- Show travel passes or tickets to the driver on boarding and to Authorised Revenue Protection Officers, NSW Police Officers or bus company representative when requested
- Use the travel pass only for its intended purpose - do not lend your pass to other students or borrow a pass from them
- Swipe or 'dip' passes in ticket readers if available when boarding
- If issued with a School Opal card, always tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving the bus.