Code of Practice

Parents/Guardians agree to:

  • Help their children to know and follow the safest route to and
    from pick-up points if unaccompanied
  • Remind children how to behave in a safe manner:
    1. wait for a bus to pull well away before crossing the road
    2. never open a door on the bus, except in an emergency
    3. never throw anything out of a bus window
    4. do not distract the driver by bad behaviour, including shouting, on the bus.
  • Ensure children leave the house with sufficient time to get to the bus stop easily before the bus is due.
  • Make sure children have their tickets to give to the bus driver
  • Buses to School
  • Ensure children know what to do if the bus is late – see separate School Bus Survival Guide.
  • Remember that unruly or dangerous behaviour on the bus will not be tolerated nor will foul language, spitting, smoking, drug use or any abuse towards the driver and other students. Any student may be excluded from school buses without notice.
  • Teach children the financial consequences of vandalism on the bus. Payment to the operator for any damage caused will be the responsibility of parents/guardians
  • Regularly talk to children about their bus journeys and contact the school or operator if they suspect any dangerous or inappropriate behaviour is occurring on the bus
  • Support action taken by the school and/or the operator to deal with poor behaviour on behalf of all the students on a bus
  • Assist in the collection of children if bad weather precludes the proper operation of services

Students agree to:

  • Be ready at the bus stop before the bus is scheduled to arrive and indicate for the bus to stop
  • Have their ticket ready to hand to the driver
  • Wait until the bus has stopped before trying to get on or off
  • Sit down as quickly as possible
  • Stay in their seat when the bus is moving
  • Think about their actions at all times and not distract the driver
  • Never eat or smoke on the bus and drink only if really thirsty
  • Have consideration for other people and be careful with their language so as not to cause offence
  • Ensure that litter is not thrown around or left on the bus
  • Remember that they have a collective responsibility to stop bad behaviour or the service may be withdrawn permanently
  • Act in a way that does not endanger themselves or others. Items thrown from a bus can kill or seriously maim. Occurrences of this will be dealt with as a police matter
  • Treat the driver with respect & consideration and follow any instructions he gives.
  • Tell the driver if he is doing a good job, it builds up a good relationship; if he isn’t – just tell the company and they can sort it out
  • Remember that the driver can insist that students misbehaving should leave the bus and he can ask the police to assist
  • Take care of the bus and do no damage. Your parents will be liable for any damage caused and if the bus company reports the matter to the police it may result in a prosecution
  • Not to take up needed seating by placing schoolbags on seats. Put them under your seat or in any racks available. Do not block the aisle or emergency exit.

School Bus Drivers agree to:

  • Follow the scheduled route and timetable stopping at all stops as requested
  • Ensure that each student hands in a ticket
  • Maintain a courteous and professional detachment with students
  • Report any instances of misbehaviour. If needed, seek as a last resort assistance from bus company staff, the school or the police. Eviction of the student(s) may be necessary
  • Check for lost property after each journey and hand in anything found to the company office
  • Check for any damage after each journey and report any found to the company office
  • During Boarding & Alighting
  • Approach bus stops with care and not brake sharply.
  • Maintain control of the bus doors and keep the doors shut until the bus is at a complete standstill.
  • Check in the nearside mirror before pulling away in case latecomers are trying to board
  • Not leave a stop until all students are seated
  • Make sure all students are clear of the vehicle before pulling away
  • Co-operate with schools over pick-up and set-down arrangements on school premise

Maintaining Safety

  • Not to load the bus beyond the licensed capacity
  • Neither smoke at any time on board a school bus or use a hand held mobile phone while the bus is moving
  • Make sure luggage is safely stowed and the gangway and emergency exits are not obstructed

In An Emergency

  • If necessary, evacuate the students in an orderly manner and place them in a safe location

Schools agree to:

  • Reinforce the safety rules for students on buses
  • Ensure students understand that poor behaviour at any time on or in the vicinity of buses may lead to death or serious injury to themselves or others
  • Take appropriate measures to deal with any poor behaviour and work with the operator, TTS and parents/guardians in the event of problems
  • Agree contingency plans with operators in the event of bad weather or other emergencies
  • Provide adequate supervision at school set-down and pick-up points
  • Liaise with the operator concerning any special pick-up arrangements at the school
  • Liaise with the operator if there is any change in requirements
  • Consult with TTS and the operator at an early stage when considering change to school attendance times
  • For safety reasons, to minimise interaction between parents’ cars and school bus operations
  • Inform TTS when a service does not comply with the timetable or does not run
 
Created at The Beach