Rose Bay High School

Bus Code of Behaviour

Introducing The Student Code Of Behaviour

Metro and our school have agreed to implement the Student Code Of Behaviour for all students travelling to or from school by bus. The aim of the Code is to make it clear what standards of behaviour are acceptable and what are not. We want to make travel by bus to and from school as safe and hassle free as possible.

Metro Bus Drivers Undertake to:

Respect all passengers and their property; Place the safety and security of passengers first at all times; Behave and communicate in a professional and courteous manner towards all; Administer the rules governing travel on Metro buses fairly, consistently and impartially.

Students Are Required To:

Follow instructions from the driver;
Board and leave the bus in an orderly manner;
Show their bus pass, ticket or school ID when requested;
Try to have the correct change when buying a ticket;
Sit properly on a seat if one is available;
Sit in an allocated seat if directed to by the driver;
If standing, remain in the designated area;
Store school bags under the seat or in appropriate luggage areas;
Speak quietly and do not create unnecessary noise;
Cross the road after the bus has moved off, and it is safe to do so;
Wait for the bus in an orderly manner, and stand well back from the bus until it stops;
Allow other passengers to get off the bus before attempting to board; and
Watch out for their stop and ring the bell within a reasonable distance from the stop.

Students Will Not:

Physically or verbally harass other passengers or the driver;
Create unnecessary noise;
Move about whilst the bus is in motion;
Throw any object either inside or outside the bus;
Distract the bus driver when driving;
Stand forward of the front seat;
Carry illegal, oversize or dangerous objects;
Obstruct the aisle, door or emergency exits;
Bully other students;
Place feet on the seats;
Allow any part of their body to protrude out of the bus windows;
Consume food or drink, or play music without permission of the driver;
Smoke or use matches/lighters;
Fight, spit or use offensive language;
Behave in a manner which places the safety of themselves or others in danger;
Damage, mark or interfere with the property of another passenger or Metro, including any part of the bus, bus stops or shelters.

How can parents and guardians help?

The behaviour of students is primarily the responsibility of parents or guardians. Please discuss appropriate behaviour with your child to ensure they fully understand their responsibilities when travelling on a bus.

In cases of an emergency or a bus breakdown, follow the bus driver's instructions.

Evacuate the bus in an orderly manner. Wait in the area indicated by the driver, and do not leave the area until the driver indicates you can.

What happens if students do not follow the code?

If a student does not follow the Code, disciplinary action may be taken. This can range from a cautionary warning, to a total suspension from bus travel depending on the nature of the breach. A student will only be suspended from bus travel after discussions between Metro, the school and the parent or guardian. When a student is suspended from bus travel it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange alternative travel for that period. If you wish to discuss any incidents in relation to your child, please contact your child’s school in the first instance. There are three different levels of severity regarding breaches of the Code of Behaviour.

1) Nuisance Offences:

For lower level breaches, the “3 strikes and you are out” rule applies. For the second breach the student will be issued a written “final warning”. If there is a further breach within the period specified in the final warning, the offender will be suspended from bus travel for a period of up to two weeks.

2) Unsafe And Destructive Offences:

For more serious breaches the student can be issued an immediate “final warning” or be suspended from travelling on the bus for a period of up to 4 weeks.

3) Highly Dangerous And Life Threatening Offences:

For really serious breaches the student will be issued with an automatic suspension from travelling on the bus for a nominated period up to an indefinite suspension.

Below are listed some examples of bus behaviours considered inappropriate and an indication of the penalty such behaviours might attract.

Level	Offence
1) Nuisance Offences	Eat or drink whilst on a bus Stand on, or put feet on seat Failing to show a ticket or pass where required Pressing the stop button continually Using offensive language
2) Unsafe and Destructive Offences	Verbally threatening the bus driver Verbally threatening other passengers Harassing and bullying other passengers Preventing others from disembarking at their stop Swinging on handrails Continually moving around the vehicle Standing on the bus steps and refusing to move Allowing part of their body to protrude from the vehicle Disobeying an instruction given by a Bus Operator Damaging of Metro property
3) Highly Dangerous and Life Threatening Offences	Carrying dangerous goods on a vehicle Spitting Physically assaulting the driver Physically assaulting a passenger Continually disobeying an instruction given by a Metro Officer Throw objects that have potential to cause harm or damage Threatening physical harm with a dangerous object