With more buses on the road than ever before, Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) and Bus Association Victoria (BusVic) are reminding the community that bus safety is a shared responsibility.
Bus Safety Week, 1-5 May 2017, is a push by industry and state to urge the public to take responsibility for safety as part of a wider message to promote bus safety.
“Bus Safety Week is about everyone taking responsibility for bus safety. Whether they are a car driver, school kids or the elderly catching buses,” said Stephen Turner, TSV Director of Bus Safety.
“If you’re driving, you must give way to buses displaying GIVE WAY TO BUS sign merging into traffic. This is the law; this is not just a matter of courtesy. Being mindful of this will help to prevent any collisions and it will help the bus driver keep to the timetable,” Mr Turner said.
“You need to give buses ample space and time for braking. A sudden stop can cause passengers to fall and injure themselves.”
As part of Bus Safety Week, TSV and BusVic are also highlighting the hard work of bus drivers to keep everyone moving safely and on time.
“Thursday 4 May is Bus Driver Appreciation Day. We’re encouraging passengers to make their bus drivers feel valued – a simple ‘thank you’ would be appreciated,” said Dr Chris Lowe, BusVic executive director.
TSV has organised Bus Safety Week activities with BusVic, other public transport operators, Victoria Police and Public Transport Victoria (PTV).
“Transport safety officers will be at major metro and regional bus interchanges with educational brochures and giveaways and talking to people about bus safety,” Dr Lowe said.
On Monday 1 May, officers will be handing out safety materials at Box Hill Central and Chadstone Shopping Centre bus interchanges. On Tuesday 2 May, they will be at Doncaster Park and Ride, Doncaster Westfield, Cranbourne station, and Bendigo station bus interchanges.
On Wednesday 3 May, officers will be at Sunshine station, Highpoint Shopping Centre, and Geelong station bus interchanges. On Thursday 4 May, officers will be at South Morang station, Ringwood station, Dandenong station, and Traralgon Shopping Centre bus interchanges.