Passenger information

Travelling with young children and prams

Children 5 and under not attending school travel for free.

When travelling with young children, consider:

• allowing plenty of travel time
• parking your pram parallel to the edge of the road or footpath a safe distance away and applying the brakes – always keep a firm hold of your pram and never leave it unattended
• folding down the pram and carrying or assisting your child on and off board
• holding your child’s hand when assisting them to get on and off public transport
• keeping children close to you when waiting for services and when on board
• placing prams where they are not in the way of other passengers or the driver.

Animals

Assistance animals are welcome on public transport. They do not require any special accreditation, ID or harness. The animal must be appropriately trained as an assistance animal and meet hygiene and behaviour standards.

Transport Canberra also allows small pets on board buses, subject to driver discretion. The pet must remain in an appropriate carrier while on the bus. The pet’s owner is responsible for the conduct of the animal on the bus and cleaning up after if required, prior to disembarking.

Drivers cannot assist a passenger loading or unloading an assistance animal or pet.

Staying safe

Passenger safety is our top priority.

All public transport vehicles are fitted with CCTV security cameras, which are used in accordance with ACT Government guidelines, relevant regulations and legislation.

You can assist us in providing a safe transport service by familiarising yourself with the below safety messages:

• Passengers are required to signal the driver of their intended service.
• When boarding an accessible bus service, wait for the bus to lower before boarding.
• Please do not talk directly to the driver while the vehicle is moving.
• Vacate marked spaces and seating for passengers with wheelchairs and prams, or those with a disability, seniors and those less mobile.
• Ensure brakes on wheelchairs and prams are activated.
• Watch your step when entering and exiting your bus or light rail service.
• When planning to exit, remain seated or continue holding a handrail or strap until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
• Take a seat if one is available, otherwise hold onto handrails and straps.
• Be considerate of leaving space near the doors to allow other passengers to exit or board the service without obstruction.
• When seated, keep both feet planted on the floor in case the vehicle is required to stop suddenly.
• If you’re travelling with bulky items including oversize baggage, walking frames, or strollers, please consider stowing them in the provided storage space to limit safety risk for all passengers.

Please note in the evenings, the blue light on the vehicles is for visibility purposes for other road users.

If you have an enquiry about safety on public transport in Canberra, please contact us.

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.

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

If you have an enquiry about etiquette on Transport Canberra services, please contact us.

Carriage of goods

Transport Canberra prioritises the needs of passengers and safety of those onboard when deciding what can be brought on board.

Bus drivers have the final decision on what goods can be brought on buses.

See our service policies for more information about carrying items, including bikes, e-scooters, prams and mobility aids, on buses.