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 if they are providing a commercial bus service or a local bus service.
- Registered if their bus service is either a community and private bus service or a commercial mini-bus service.
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.
The following YouTube video provides some helpful hints on how we all can make bus travel safe.
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.
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.
