Passenger Safety
This domain tests the conductor's responsibility for the physical safety of everyone on board. Questions cover capacity limits, door and footboard discipline, use of emergency exits, luggage, reserved accommodation and the handling of risky passenger behaviour.
Capacity and movement
- Never allow boarding beyond the seating and standing capacity shown on the registration certificate and permit.
- Travel on the roof or running board is prohibited; refuse boarding rather than permit it.
- Doors must remain closed while the vehicle is moving. A passenger standing on the footboard must be asked to alight or move inside before the bus starts.
- Passengers must not lean out of windows or travel with limbs outside the body.
On-board safety equipment
- Know the location and operation of every emergency exit, break-glass hammer and the fire extinguisher.
- The first aid box and extinguisher must be present, in date and accessible - never buried under luggage.
- Keep the aisle and exit approach clear; stow luggage on racks, not in the gangway.
Passenger groups
Reserved seats for women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities must be protected and offered, not merely marked. School children travelling without an adult deserve particular attention at alighting.
Hazardous behaviour
Refuse carriage of petrol, gas cylinders, firecrackers and other dangerous goods. Smoking on board is prohibited. Report repeated drunken misbehaviour to the driver so the bus can be stopped in a safe place.
Worked example
At peak hour a regular commuter pushes on after the standing limit is reached. Reasoning: the correct response is to refuse further boarding politely and point to the permitted capacity; overloading risks rollover, voids insurance cover for the excess and breaches the permit, so courtesy must not override the limit.
Traps that cost marks
Allowing luggage to block the emergency exit; permitting a "short distance" roof ride; and assuming reserved seats are advisory rather than to be enforced.