SCHOOL BUS TRAVEL – CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL
To ensure the safety of all passengers, and drivers, the following conditions apply at all times:
Students must agree to the following:
- Be respectful to one another and the bus driver
- Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to departure
- Not to play on the road at the bus stop or to try and get on the bus before it has come to a complete stop
- Present their Go/Opal Card or Student Bus Pass upon boarding the bus
- Get on and off the bus quietly and in an orderly manner
- If seated, remain in your seat whilst the bus is moving
- Place bags and other belongings in allocated storage areas, under your seat or on your lap
- Ensure scooters are stowed in a safe and secure place and not cause an obstacle to other passengers. Battery operated scooters are not permitted on any buses in Queensland
- Listen to the bus driver's instructions. They are responsible for driving the school bus safely and also have the authority to report any vandalism or misbehaviour
- Not distract drivers with screaming, shouting or unruly behaviour
- Not use offensive language or call out to others onboard or to passing traffic or people
- Not to eat, drink (other than sipping from water bottle) or smoke/vape on the school bus
- Not throw anything from a bus window or at a bus window whether inside or outside of the bus
- No dangerous or flammable goods are allowed on the bus i.e. aerosol cans, lighters, fireworks
- Travel on the bus service allocated to you, to and from your approved stop only and not used as a route service to local fast food outlets, shopping malls etc
- When you get off the bus only cross the road when the bus has left and it is safe to do so
Behaving inappropriately on a school bus places the safety and wellbeing of all onboard at risk
Non-compliance with any of the above conditions may result in the following:
- The driver may stop the bus, in a safe place, until any onboard commotion dies down and they can proceed safely
- The driver may request the names of any passengers breaching the Code of Conduct
- The breach will be reported to the bus operators and the school principal
- The school and bus operator may take disciplinary measures in accordance with the guidelines below
Following the report of a relevant incident, the co-ordinating Principal and the bus operator may take the disciplinary action below:
- First offence – verbal warning to student
- Second offence – written warning to parent/guardian
- Third offence – one week or more suspension of the student from bus travel
- Further offences – weeks/months/terms suspension of the student from bus travel
Responsibilities of parents/guardians:
- Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their children to and from authorised bus stops and their safety at the stop while waiting for the bus.
- It is most important that parents waiting for bus passengers at a roadside bus stop should wait on the same side of the road as the bus to prevent accidents.
- It is understood that bus travel is provided and accepted on these conditions