Information for Operators

The safety record for the transport of school students is very good, whether on dedicated services or on the commercial public transport network.

In order to maintain and improve the service, the full cooperation of everyone – students, parents, teachers, drivers and operators – is vital.  

Metro recognises that driving a bus carrying young people can be extremely stressful. 

However, today’s children are tomorrow’s adult bus passengers, so the better their travel experience is when they’re young, the more likely they are to travel on buses when they’re older.     

Below are some guidelines to help your school run go smoothly.   

On route

• Be punctual but don’t run early. 
• Follow the correct route, and observe all stops. 
• If you experience regular problems with the route description or timetable, tell your manager. 
• Keep doors closed when the bus is moving. 
• Drive in a careful manner. 
• Only reverse when absolutely necessary. Ensure there is no one near the bus.

Boarding and alighting

• Approach each bus stop with extreme caution.  
• Check all passes when students board.
• Never refuse travel if a student cannot produce their pass or the correct fare.
• Take a note of their name and school and tell your manager. 
• Check that bags and clothing are not caught in the door. 
• Check the nearside mirror every time before moving away. 
• Do not allow pupils to alight at unauthorised locations. 
• Be aware of students running back to the vehicle for things they’ve left behind.  

Behaviour  

• Keep students clear of the platform when they are not boarding or alighting. 
• Avoid engaging in conversation with the students while you are driving. 
• Avoid physical contact with students.  
• If students are behaving in an unacceptable manner, remain calm, and polite. Take any necessary action to prevent accidents. 
• Report all incidents of unacceptable behaviour to your manager. If it is not reported, it cannot be dealt with. Try to provide full details of the student(s) concerned (names or descriptions) and the nature of the incident.     

Withdrawing Bus Passes

Bus Passes should be withdrawn and returned to your manager if you observe one of the following: a card is given to someone else to use, it is out of date, the writing has been changed, or the photograph is not clear.