CODE OF CONDUCT AND CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE
Beaver Bus Code of Conduct
Introduction
This code of conduct is an important document. It forms part of Your contract with Us, in addition to the Terms and Conditions of Carriage and any Additional Conditions (as defined in the Terms and Conditions of Carriage) which may apply to You. It is the condition of Your travel on Our Buses and any failure by You to comply with it is likely to have serious consequences, as set out in the Terms and Conditions of Carriage.
Definitions
“We “ and “Our” and “Us” and “Company” – means Beaver Bus, Unit 84, The Whittle Estate, Cambridge Road, Whetstone, Leicestershire, LE8 6LH.
“You” and “Your” – refers to you, being Our passenger.
Your Obligations
YOU AGREE THAT;
- Your child remains under your care until he or she is accepted for travel on the school bus with a valid pass and immediately they get off the school bus at the end of the school day.
- If you are concerned about your child’s sense of road safety, you should accompany him or her to the stop and wait with him or her until the bus arrives. Similarly, you should ensure that young children are met when the bus returns from school.
- If your child is unaccompanied, make sure that he or she knows and follows the safest route, uses the safest crossing places and knows how to behave responsibly whilst waiting for their bus.
- Please make sure that you have discussed with your child what to do if he or she fails to catch the bus for any reason.
- In poor weather conditions, you are advised to take your child to a bus pick up point on a main (treated) road as some points with poor access may not be served. Local radio stations are a good source of information to find out if your child’s school is open and/or the roads to it are passable.
- In any case, you should have a Plan B should the bus not turn up due to adverse weather conditions, traffic incidents or mechanical failure. We will always do our best to continue with the services or supply a replacement bus should it be required and keep you informed via SMS.
Waiting for the bus
You shall arrive at the bus stop or other agreed pick up point five minutes (5) before your allotted pick up time.
You shall cross all roads carefully when walking to the bus stop or other agreed pick up point. You shall never cross the road in front of the bus and shall use all road crossings or traffic lights where possible.
You shall wait for the bus in a quiet and orderly manner, back from the road, without causing a nuisance, shouting, harassing, threatening or bullying others, causing damage or acting in any way which is not respectful to others.
You shall not cause damage to the bus shelter or other surrounding property.
Upon arrival of the bus, You shall signal clearly to the bus driver that You wish the bus to stop, waiting well back until it stops and allowing passengers to leave the bus before trying to board.
You shall board the bus in an orderly fashion without pushing in or pushing other passengers out of the way.
Upon boarding the bus, You shall have Your Beaver Bus Pass, ticket or money out ready to show the driver without having to be asked or otherwise prompted.
You shall not cause any unnecessary delay to the departure of the bus
On the bus
If spare seats are available, You shall sit down rather than stand. Where seat belts have been fitted, these should be fastened. You shall not stand forward of the bus driver or on the steps. Passengers under 14 may sit 3 to a double seat.
You shall not obstruct the driver’s vision at any time or distract the bus driver’s attention or speak to him whilst he is driving without good cause.
You shall follow the bus driver’s reasonable instructions at all times.
You shall show all tickets, bus passes and proof of identity or age to the bus driver or other officials promptly and without objection upon request.
You shall not raise Your voice, shout or create unnecessary noise so as to distract the bus driver or to disturb other passengers.
You shall not leave Your bags or other property unattended.
You shall not consume food or drink on the bus. Only food and drinks in a spill-proof container shall be permitted to be carried on the bus. You shall report any spillages to the bus driver as soon as possible. We reserve the right to charge You for all reasonable clean-up costs.
You shall notify the driver of any circumstances of which You become aware which may pose a risk to safety.
In case of an emergency or a breakdown, You shall promptly follow the driver’s instructions. In normal circumstances, You shall only attempt to leave the bus once the driver has indicated that it is safe to do so.
You shall not tamper with, deface, graffiti, remove or damage any part of the bus interior or exterior. You shall be liable to pay Us for the full repair or replacement costs for any damage, theft or loss (whole or partial), which You intentionally or negligently cause to Our property and for all losses incurred by us as a result of such damage, theft or loss (including but not limited to loss of use) in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Carriage.
You shall notify the bus driver immediately if You see anyone else tampering with, defacing, graffiti-ing, removing or damaging any part of the bus.
You shall not say or do anything which may reasonably cause offence, harm, damage, injury, death, inconvenience, disrespect, upset, nuisance, or delay to other passengers or their property, to Us or Our property or to the bus driver. In particular, We shall take any incidents of threatening or violent behaviour, harassment, bullying, arguments, and fighting very seriously. Any inappropriate behaviour permits Us to refuse to let You travel on Our buses, withdraw Your ticket, Beaver Bus Pass, report You to Your school and the police, disclose personal data and CCTV footage to relevant authorities and to take any other action as We see fit.
You shall not make racist, sexist or other derogatory comments.
You shall not use offensive language or spit.
You shall not bring prohibited, dangerous, illegal or toxic articles on the bus, including but not limited to alcohol, drugs and weapons or items which could reasonably be used as weapons.
You shall not smoke, carry lighted tobacco or light a match or cigarette lighter whilst on the bus or bring such items onto the bus.
You shall not travel on any part of the bus not provided for the carriage of passengers.
You shall not tamper with the emergency door or other emergency equipment on the bus which shall only be used in a genuine emergency.
You shall not throw or trail any article from the vehicle.
Leaving the bus
When You wish to leave the bus, You shall ring the bus in plenty of time and Once only to let the bus driver know that the bus is approaching Your stop. If standing, You shall not stand forward of the driver until the bus has stopped. If seated, You shall not get up until the bus has come to a complete standstill.
You shall leave the bus in an orderly fashion and only once the doors are fully open and the bus has come to a complete standstill.
Upon leaving the bus You shall never cross the road in front of the bus. You shall wait until the bus has left before crossing the road and shall use the crossings or traffic lights where possible.
Conduct and Safety
You shall comply with the Code of Conduct when waiting for, boarding, travelling on and alighting from a Bus and shall reasonably consider your own safety and that of other passengers at all times.
We can accept no liability for any act or omission by other passengers or third parties.
If We consider that you pose a safety risk or a nuisance We reserve the right to refuse Carriage to You, to You and Your luggage from Our Buses or premises, to withdraw Your Ticket and to report You to any relevant authorities. You shall be liable for all losses and claims arising from your improper conduct on board Our Buses or premises.
In addition, if you fail to comply with the Code of Conduct, we may take any action we see fit, including but not limited to the following:
We may require you to leave the bus immediately or at any time after the breach; and/or
We may refuse you carriage and may withdraw Your Ticket (including but not limited to a Beaver Bus Pass) either temporarily or permanently.
We have the right to report You and have the right to disclose Your personal data and all relevant CCTV footage to Your parent or guardian, Your school, the police and/or to any other authority We deem appropriate; and/or
We may pursue or assist in the pursuance of any criminal or civil proceedings or other investigations against you; and/or
We shall hold You liable for all losses in respect of Damage incurred by Us as a result of Your breach, including all legal and administrative costs reasonably incurred by Us in recovering all such sums from You. Interest shall be payable for non or late payment; and /or
We may take any other action we consider reasonable in the circumstances.
For the avoidance of doubt, Damage under the clause includes but is not limited to damage, death, wounding or bodily injury, loss, theft, financial or other economic loss, loss of profit, loss of use, loss of revenue, anticipated savings and/or loss of goodwill, reputation or opportunity.
Any action taken by Us in accordance with the clause above shall be without prejudice to any other rights and remedies We may have against You and may be taken in isolation, together or in such succession and shall not in any way preclude Us from taking additional or subsequent action as We see fit as permitted under the Law.
Stopping Places
Buses shall only stop for passengers to board and alight at designated Bus stops or other agreed locations.
Buses are not obliged to stop at any Bus stop or other agreed location to pick up or drop off passengers if the bus driver reasonably thinks that to do so will present a risk to safety.
Access
We are committed to accommodate our disabled passengers.
Pushchairs, buggies and prams must be of a reasonable size, be capable of being folded and shall only be carried at the discretion of the bus driver.
You shall cooperate and where necessary, change seat to allow passengers with a wheelchair or pushchair to board the bus.
Animals
Guide dogs and other animals whose assistance is required by disabled passengers shall be carried by us without charge.
Other small, non-dangerous animals may be carried with the prior consent of the bus driver. Where such consent is given, we may charge a reasonable fare for the carriage of each animal.
You shall be fully responsible for your animal whilst on board the Bus or on our premises.
If your animal dirties or causes damage to a Bus or Our premises, you shall be liable to us for all reasonable cleaning or repair costs incurred.
Updated: 02/11/2020