Caregiver Responsibility

To help make a school bus trip safe, caregivers who are dropping off/picking up students at the bus stop should:

• When dropping students off at the bus, get out of the car and go with them to the bus stop

• When collecting students, get out of the car and meet them as they get off the bus, on the same side of the road that the bus has stopped on, and go with the student to the car.

• Caregivers should also spend time with students to help them understand how they can keep themselves safe and how they are expected to behave on the bus.

• These practices will help to stop students running across the road to or from the bus into the path of passing traffic.

Caregivers should encourage students to follow these safety and behaviour guidelines throughout their journey. 

Safety and behaviour tips for students

Getting on the bus

• Wait in the designated place—well back from the road
• Wait until the bus stops and doors open before approaching
• Carry your bag in front of you so it doesn’t get caught in the door

• If there is a seat available, sit down straight away and remain seated for the whole journey

On the bus 

• Follow all instructions from the bus driver 

• No eating, drinking, smoking or vaping

• Bullying and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated

• Don’t shout or in any way distract the bus driver

• Respect the TSP’s property

• Respect other passengers

• When seated, wear a seatbelt (if available) and put your bag on your lap or under the seat in front of you

• If standing, stay behind the bus driver

• Don’t stand or sit in the door wells

Getting off the bus 

• Wait for bus to come to a stop before making your way to the door 

• Use the front door if possible

• Wait well back from the road until the bus has moved away
• Only cross the road when there is no traffic in either direction