Passenger Transport Law and Professional Duties of a Bus Driver
Domain 5 covers the Passenger Transport Act (PBG, SR 745.1) and the professional duties that come with carrying people: authorisation, care of passengers, and conduct in service.
Authorisation and framework
- Scheduled services need a concession; occasional professional passenger transport with vehicles offering more than eight seats needs a cantonal permit under PBG Art. 3. Driving for hire without it is an offence.
- The vehicle must have passenger liability cover, and the driver must hold the correct category plus the professional qualification.
- Tariffs and timetables form part of the authorisation; deviations must be authorised or documented.
Duties in service
- Close doors before moving and open them only when stopped; operate the interlock properly at every stop.
- Respect seat and standing capacity; standing passengers are allowed only where the vehicle is designed for them - not on a motorway coach without standing places.
- Seat belts, where fitted, must be worn; remind passengers.
- Assist passengers with reduced mobility: ramp or lift, secure the wheelchair, allow time.
- Secure luggage and keep dangerous goods (petrol cans, gas cylinders, large batteries) out of the passenger compartment.
- Stay sober (professional limit 0.1 ‰), no smoking, no handheld phone, be polite and give information.
- After an incident: protect, alert, assist, document, report to the operator.
Worked example
On a motorway coach trip the group leader asks to pick up two extra people who would stand in the aisle for 40 km. Refuse: the vehicle is not approved for standing passengers on that route, the seat count and passenger list would be wrong, and liability and insurance cover depend on the vehicle being used as authorised. Offer a scheduled stop where a seat is available.
Traps that cost marks
- Thinking a category D licence is permission to carry passengers commercially.
- Carrying more passengers than seats or belts.
- Leaving doors open at a stop while the bus rolls.
- Accepting cash fares outside the authorised tariff.
- Discussing passenger data in public instead of respecting data protection.