Bus passengers' conduct
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LAST WEEK I dealt with the obligations of the bus crew under the 1936 Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers. Conductors and Passengers) Regulations. Now for Part 3. which deals with the passengers' conduct. Some of the regulations are almost amusing but. I suppose, necessary to deal with the inebriated excursionist. It says much for the patience and tact of coach drivers that prosecutions for offences committed by such people are few and far between.
Offences may be committed by passengers or intending passengers while the vehicle is in motion or when it is stationary waiting to pick up passengers.
They must not behave in a riotous or disorderly manner or use obscene or offensive language; enter or alight except by doors or openings provided for the purpose: when entering the vehicle impede other passengers entering or alighting: travel on the upper deck unless occupying a seat or in any part of the vehicle not provided for the conveyance of passengers, e.g. on the rear platform. Pas
sengers must not enter or remain on the vehicle when requested by an authorized person to leave on the grounds that the vehicle is full or that the operator is debarred from picking up passengers at the place in question by 'reason of the conditions attached to his road service licence.
A passenger must not do anything to the vehicle or its equipment which will interfere with the working of the vehicle or cause injury or discomfort to any person: when the vehicle is in motion he must not distract the driver's attention without reasonable cause, or speak to him unless it is necessary for him to do so in order to give directions as to the stopping of the vehicle, or give any signal which the driver might think is a signal from the conductor to start. It should be noted that this only applies to a signal to start; he is not prohibited from giving a signal to stop.
Passengers must not spit upon, or from, or wilfully damage, soil or defile any part of the vehicle or distribute printed matter of any description or any article for the purpose of advertising. They must not interfere with any number plate, notice board, fare table, route indicator, destination board, notice or advertisement in or on the vehicle.
More about unruly passenger behaviour next week.