Bus Safety

Safe Bus Travel

You can view the safe bus travel brochure and video on the Safe Bus Travel page here.

Bus Safety

Over 183 million bus and coach trips are made in Victoria each year. That’s 119 million in metro route buses, 27 million in dedicated school buses, 20 million in tour and charter coaches, 15 million in regional town buses, and 1.5 million in V/Line coaches.

Fatalities and serious injuries associated with all of these trips are relatively low, making bus travel one of the safest modes of transport. Any serious accident is one too many.

Bus safety regulators, operators, workers, manufacturers and Government are committed to achieving safe bus transport for the benefit of all Victorians.

The Bus Safety Act 2009 (Vic) (BSA), administered by Transport Safety Victoria (TSV), is a law that all bus operators must comply with.

It requires bus operators to be accredited.

Accredited bus operators must have comprehensive safety and risk management systems in place which are assessed and audited by TSV. This provides peace of mind to all Victorians.
To continually improve bus safety we ask that you please play your part too.

When you’re driving, give way to a bus merging into traffic, it’s not just courtesy, it’s the law. It helps keep you and others safe and helps the bus driver keep to the timetable.

Remember that buses are large vehicles that can’t stop quickly. All road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists) need to allow buses ample space and time for braking. Sudden stops can sometimes cause passengers to fall and injure themselves. You, or someone important to you, might be the bus passenger affected by sudden braking.

Leave dedicated bus lanes clear for buses only.

You may drive in a bus lane for a distance of up to 100 metres if you are:

Entering or leaving a road.
Entering a part of the road from a service road, a road shoulder or an emergency stopping lane.
Overtaking a vehicle that is making a u-turn from the centre of the road or giving a right turn signal.
Entering a marked lane, or a part of the road where there is room for a line of traffic (other than motorbikes, bicycles, motorised wheelchairs or animals).

Do not park in bus zones, bus stops or other parking signed for buses. When you do, it causes safety issues for the passengers and other vehicles on the road.

For students:

Stand well back from the road and don’t push and shove when waiting for the school bus.
Only approach the kerb once the school bus completely stops.
While on board sit down and hold on.
If the bus has seatbelts you must wear them at all times.
Don’t be noisy or unruly, the driver has to concentrate on driving.
When leaving the bus never cross the road until the bus has moved away and you can clearly see all road traffic.
Remove your headphones and ignore your mobile phone so that you can be fully aware of your surroundings.

For parents:

Try to park on the same side of the road as the school bus stop so your child doesn’t have to cross the road. Remember many school bus stops are located on roads that have 80/100 km speed limits.

For car drivers:

Slow down and watch for students when you see a school bus has stopped.

If you are someone that engages bus services, such as a travel agent, event organiser, school, or a sporting/community group, you must ensure you engage an accredited or registered bus operator as they operate their bus services in accordance with the BSA. It is your responsibility under the BSA to find out if this requirement applies to you.

Accredited bus operators will have comprehensive safety and risk management systems in place which are assessed and audited by TSV. This provides peace of mind to all bus passengers.

If you are hiring a bus from a rental company to drive yourself, you must ensure you operate that bus according to the BSA.

If you are unsure about your responsibility under the BSA please contact Transport Safety Victoria on 1800 223 022 option 2 or visit the website
http://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/bus-safety

Buses are essential transport for many people who want to access local services and social activities. Unfortunately many bus passengers are also our most vulnerable citizens.

If you’re a passenger who has special needs or if you want to avoid slips, trips or falls:
Please ask the driver for help.
Find your seat in the priority seating area by using the handrails.
Use the stop button and wait for the bus to stop before standing and moving to the exit.
Use the handrails to help you get off the bus safely.

If you’re another passenger, you should:

Vacate the priority area if someone with special needs requires it.
Assist if you see someone who needs help or notify the bus driver.

How to be a good passenger:

Be respectful to bus drivers and don’t distract them while they are driving - they have an important job to drive the bus safely.
If you see something wrong, say something to the driver or call the police.
Vacate the priority area if someone with special needs requires it.
When the bus is crowded please move towards the rear.
Offer your seat to someone that needs it more than you do.
If there’s a seatbelt wear it – it’s the law.
Safely store your bags to reduce trip hazards.

Other Resources and Partner Acknowledgements

BUS SAFETY VICTORIA
Bus Safety Victoria is a branch of Transport Safety Victoria - the State’s safety regulator of public transport.
Web: transportsafety.vic.gov.au/bus-safety
Ph: 1800 223 022 option 2
Email: information@transportsafety.vic.gov.au

BUS ASSOCIATION VICTORIA (BUSVIC)
Bus Association Victoria Inc is the voluntary professional association for Victoria’s accredited route, school and tour & charter bus and coach operators.
Web: busvic.asn.au
Ph: 03 9645 3000
Email: buses@busvic.asn.au

PUBLIC TRANSPORT VICTORIA
ptv.vic.gov.au

V/LINE
vline.com.au

VICROADS
vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules

TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION
twu.asn.au

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
education.vic.gov.au

PUBLIC USERS TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION
ptua.org.au

VICTAS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION
vcta.org.au

VICTORIA POLICE
police.vic.gov.au

TRANSPORT ACCIDENT COMMISSION
tac.vic.gov.au

PUBLIC TRANSPORT OMBUDSMAN
ptovic.com.au