Code of conduct
When travelling on a Transport Canberra service, please:
- be respectful, polite and considerate to other passengers and the driver
- obey reasonable directions given by the driver
- do not interfere with vehicle controls or safety equipment
- offer to give up your seat to pregnant, disabled or elderly passengers when sitting in a marked priority seating area
- respect the individual circumstances of passengers with disabilities and not knowingly act in a way that agitates or provokes others
- respect Transport Canberra property and report vandalism to a driver, transport officer, or by phoning 13 17 10
- return any lost items to their owner or hand them to the driver
- do not eat or drink unless required for medical reasons
- do not carry or consume an open container of liquor
- do not leave litter on the vehicle
- do not carry dangerous items or substances
- stay safe
- do not use offensive language
- show your MyWay card or ticket when requested by an authorised officer.
Penalties
Failure to comply with the code of conduct may lead to refusal of travel and the issuing of an infringement notice or other penalty.
These actions depend on a number of factors including:
- the seriousness of the breach
- whether the passenger has previously been cautioned for a similar breach.
To ensure consistency and fairness in responding to those who do not follow the code of conduct, breaches are divided into four categories.
1. Nuisance and offensive behaviour
This includes but is not limited to bad language or spitting, which may be irritating or unpleasant but usually not physically dangerous.
Such behaviour may result in:
- a verbal warning
- issuing of an infringement notice
- the transport operator refusing travel to the passenger (this can be up to five working days).
Where the person is a minor, parents or guardians and the school will be notified where relevant.
2. Dangerous behaviour
This includes but is not limited to physical danger to individuals such as allowing any part of the body to protrude from the vehicle.
Such behaviour may result in:
- a verbal warning
- issuing of an infringement notice
- the transport operator refusing travel to the passenger (this can be up to ten working days).
Where the person is a minor, parents or guardians and the school will be notified where relevant.
3. Destructive or unsafe behaviour
This includes but is not limited to throwing objects that have potential to cause harm or damage, fighting, breaking windows, damaging seats, tampering with safety equipment, verbally threatening the driver or bullying other passengers. Such behaviour may result in:
- the police being called
- issuing of an infringement notice
- a requirement to pay damages
- criminal prosecution
- the transport operator refusing travel to the passenger (this can be up to 10 weeks).
Where the person is a minor, parents or guardians and the school will be notified where relevant.
4. Highly dangerous or life threatening behaviour
Includes but is not limited to physically attacking the driver or another passenger, lighting a fire or threatening physical harm with a weapon. Such behaviour may result in:
- the police being called
- issuing of an infringement notice
- requirement to pay damages
- criminal prosecution
- the transport operator refusing travel to the passenger permanently.
Where the person is a minor, parents or guardians and the school will be notified where relevant.
A full list of offences applying to passengers can be found in the Road Transport (Offences) Regulation 2005, Part 1.10 relating to the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 and Part 1.11 relating to the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Regulation 2002.
Appeals
If a passenger believes he or she has been treated unfairly under this code of conduct, contact us.
If a passenger remains unsatisfied, he or she should contact the Road Transport Authority at:
Road Transport Authority
PO Box 582
Dickson ACT 2602
Download the Code of Conduct for travel on buses in the ACT (PDF 203KB).
If you have an enquiry about etiquette on Transport Canberra services, please contact us.