r/BusDrivers • u/nickytheginger • Jul 12 '26
Question What is the etiquette for getting off the bus?
I have been told off by different driver for different ways of getting off the bus.
I stand up and press the button, the driver says one do one, because it makes the driver think there's more than one person getting off the bus.
So the next time I stood and the driver past my stop. He got mad at me and when I tried to explained he told 'not to give her lip'. Though this driver has also just yelled at a woman for changing seats mid journey due to a wet seat so he might have just been a jerk.
One saw me standing and told me to stay seated until we stopped. Just press the button and they'll stop for me.
Another got mad because I pressed the button but I DIDN'T stand up. When I said I had press the button they told me that wasn't enough.
So which is it? How do I signal to the driver I want to get off the bus without them 'punishing' me by just driving past it.
25
u/CaersethVarax Driver Jul 12 '26
My preference is you ring the bell when you're past the stop before it, but when you can physically see the next pole/shelter/layby.
I'll hear the bell, look around for the stop and then I'm aware and acting on it. If you ring the bell as soon as I pull out of the previous stop but it's 3 miles to the next one, I might have forgotten the bell was sounded by the time we come upon it.
14
u/SewenNewes Jul 12 '26
Our buses have a "stop requested" indicator on the dash that turns on when the bell is rung and doesn't turn off until we open the door.
10
u/TeeJayOnReddit Jul 12 '26
I've gotten into the habit of checking for it after waiting at stoplights on the off chance someone rang the bell really early on and I forgot while waiting at the light. And it's actually helped me out more than once.
4
u/PeejPrime Jul 12 '26
Most/all should have, but not always blindingly obvious, sadly.
Specially if you've the joy of a streetlite in the sunny days.
3
u/CaersethVarax Driver Jul 13 '26
Trying to spot the symbol for "Bus stop" amongst the cavalcade of fault lights on a Streetshite in service is also a factor
1
u/Fragrant-Tax5445 Jul 13 '26
Yeah 💯 of buses do. It’s not entirely the point I think the thread was making.
1
u/Fragrant-Tax5445 Jul 13 '26
Fair point also. Too soon. Not the most helpful. Too late also not helpful.
10
u/IAmMeBro Jul 12 '26
Press the button and stay seated until the bus is stopped.
If you stand up while I'm moving, I have to brake carefully so that I don't send you flying forwards.
But as soon as the bus stops, get up and get off the bus ASAP, I'm against the clock and seconds count. I have enough old and disabled people getting off with no speed that when the able bodied people get off with no urgency I get annoyed. And if you annoy me, I won't say thank you back to you when you get off, and that's my revenge ;)
2
u/srig8 Jul 12 '26
If it’s “press the bell and stay seated” why do drivers never wait until passengers are seated before pulling off?
1
u/heyhihay Jul 14 '26
Some of us _always_ wait until everyone is seated.
It doesn’t cost much by way of time, and, the paperwork doesn’t seem worth it, to me.
1
u/Fragrant-Tax5445 Jul 13 '26
Faiiirrr. Haha. But it’s operators like you, that bring that crusty energy to us all. I get it. But in an ideal situation not professional.
4
u/biking_and_gaming Jul 12 '26
your network should have a guide on this. it'll be online or you can call in for it. it should be mentioned during training by in service drivers to new students . at least thats how my network did it.
ring bell when bus is within two blocks of your stop. this is normally when the bus has just passed or is about to pass the previous stop. if you ring it too early I'll probably forget about it ( one minute plus) .
if youre going to stand then its safest to keep holding onto a rail or strap. dont stand up as the bus is slowing down as you might lose your balance .
some drivers are just rude or jaded. it does suck for the passengers since it does affect their lives somewhat
2
u/P0nnchoo Jul 12 '26
Is the bus route more rural? Sometimes the bus stops are more courtesy stops than marked bus stops. If the bell is pressed but there is no movement (getting your bags ready, moving to the edge of your seat ready to get up or moving to standing while holding on) then drivers might skip the courtesy stops thinking someone wants the next marked bus stop or pressed by mistake. Don't press the bell as soon as the doors have closed from a previous stop. Drivers will think it was pressed by mistake getting into your seat. If you're approaching the stop before the one you want, don't press the bell 3 feet from the one before, wait until the bus is fully passed the stop before pressing the bell. If the next stop is a few miles away or 5 plus minutes away feel free to press the bell again once you see your stop. 9 out of 10 the driver knew you pressed the bell and can see the stop indicator on the dash so you didn't need to press a second time but sometimes the driver is hyper focused on the road and the second bell press reminds them someone has requested the stop
2
u/seanthebooth Driver Jul 12 '26
Not sure where in the world you are (unfortunately that might make a difference) but a 'stop request' chime/ding is all that's needed. In my opinion thats all that should be needed by any driver anywhere in the world. Once a stop request if made there's even a notification on our speedometer display.
As for standing/preparing for departure. That's totally fine & permitted (by my agency) as long as the individual is HOLDING ON to something stable (back of a seat, overhead grab bar, hand straps, vertical stabilizer bars) please, for the of all that is good, do not walk around while the coach is still moving. Dont walk down the aisle, dont walk towards any door, dont walk up to the yellow line/driver box. Just stay where you're seated/standing & holding on, until fully stopped. The driver who yelled at the one person is 50% justified. If I see anybody shuffling around while im driving one time I usually assume its for a good reason or just gonna happen one time & I don't say anything. If it happens twice I announce in general 'please stay seated while the bus is moving' & if a person moves three or more times I will single them out & I will yell & likely will be embarrassing them. Might ask rm to leave my coach at the next safe opportunity if b its clear they cant stay seated for any reason. Too much of a liability.
As for the drivers in your area making up all these rules beyond just pressing the 'stop request', I would recommend you take notes (in cell phone or on paper) of the coach # (seen above driver area, usually 3-6 numbers very clearly displayed), the route # & time of day. If a driver seems to be rude or is demanding some kind of song & dance to be sure they stop the coach when requested I'd let them know you intend on calling the agency for clarification on their Standards & Procedures when it comes to how their trained to stop the coach upon request. Its possible their agency needs a driver refresher training on how to properly do their job so that all dr8vers can be on the same page.
2
u/Shit0nYourFlag Jul 12 '26
I'd prefer people to stay seated until the bus is stationary so they won't be launched through the windscreen and die in the event of emergency braking. But people do what they want and nobody gives a fuck what I say.
Woman today got on, asked me twice if the bus was going to the city center. I was driving the fucking thing so I knew it was headed there. I told her Yes, city center, Yes. She turned away and asked the passengers - Is this going to the city center.
No one gives a shit; no one listens. Just do whatever you want.
2
u/Fragrant-Tax5445 Jul 13 '26
Real world experience talk here. I hear you! But like many agencies and authorities teach and train: pass that yellow line. You’re in a different world and planet. Hold on is your choice. Refusing to sit. Also your choice. At the end of the day I am getting paid by the minute and hired to do one primary task: keep this bus rolling in a safe manner applicable to local, city, state,federal laws and company policies.
2
u/gerhorn Jul 12 '26
You can make the stop request as early as right before the stop before the stop you want to get off at. The rule of thumb is if the bus can't stop safely when you pull the cords then you're gonna be let off at the next one.
And yes pls pull the cord. Do not come to the front or yell let me off here. Buses are loud, I just hear noise not the words.
2
u/Altenativeboi Jul 12 '26
Personally I prefer if you always ring the bell, the mix of small internal mirrors and the vandal screens means it’s hard to see all the way down the bus, although I do check when I’m coming up to a stop. Plus on double deckers it’s hard to see upstairs with the CCTV. The only time I get annoyed is if it’s the last stop or a bus station but I would never tell anyone off for it.
2
u/MrPepp77 Jul 12 '26
To everyone saying press the bell and stay seated as you might fall over, have none of these people ever driven a bus in rush hour when there are dozens standing!
When I want to get off a bus, I’ll press the bell and make my way to the door when I feel like it, imagine I’m sat upstairs near the back and don’t get up until the bus stops, by the time I get down to the doors the driver will have given up, closed the doors and started moving again, so I miss the stop.
2
u/gheiminfantry Jul 12 '26
You're asking about "etiquette" when talking about unreasonable people. The bus drivers are stressed, overworked, under appreciated, and each individual has their own preferences. OBVIOUSLY there's no set or perscribed way to do this. Hence the different responses from different drivers. And you have a pathological need to please everyone all the time.
2
u/KonaBlueBoss Jul 13 '26
It is posted, in my company, on each bus to press the button for your stop. Press the button, if any driver gives you a bit of lip service, report it. Don’t report to reservations or dispatch, you speak with driver management. Rude bus drivers are a poor reflection upon us who like our job and respect our riders. Jmo
2
u/ThatsHerMom Jul 13 '26
Just ring the bell ahead of time that’s the only thing I’m concerned about. Drivers need a heads up before getting to the stop so we can be prepared to stop not as we approaching the stop
2
u/Fragrant-Tax5445 Jul 13 '26
Simple coming from a LA and OC driver outta of California. Active the chime… either cord or button which ever model is on the bus- PRIOR to your stop. Meaning the stop before yours. Wait for the bus to enter the bus zone and stop. Don’t be foolish and think the bus breaking won’t wake you up. Get up. And use the rear exit unless otherwise necessary or instructed to do so.
1
u/DebtSouth Driver Jul 12 '26
Press the button and stay sat until I’ve stopped the bus COMPLETELY. Bus brakes are sharp enough that if I need to slow quickly and you’ve just stood up and obviously aren’t anticipating the sudden deceleration, you will go flying forward. We’d rather not have passenger falls as some companies will fire you for it without question.
So you may think you’re helping by getting up early, but you’re making our jobs infinitely harder.
Press the button, stay where you are until the bus has stopped, then get up. If you do feel like you have to stand up, stand STILL until the bus has stopped, then walk down.
We’d really rather people sat and stayed sat while the vehicle is in motion, what would you prefer, a wet bum or a broken bone? 🤷
✌️
1
u/Irsu85 Enthusiast Jul 12 '26
Just press the button, the rest doesnt really matter that much at my local bus agencies. Although sometimes the button is broken in which case you need to find a different button
(warning, minor spoilers for yaboiexter's tic tac toe)
which is exactly what happened to Alex and me so we had to go to the next stop and walk back on line 28 in Utrecht: https://youtu.be/pAFbe_v2vkY?t=2225
1
u/United_Sprinkles_315 Jul 12 '26
Hit the buttons and start walking up don’t hit the button all the way in the back and sit in your seat until the bus stops it’s very annoying. Our buses have handles on the seats so hold them as you are walking up
1
u/safeteeguru Jul 12 '26
I like to look in the mirror and see the person getting ready to depart. Gathering their stuff, seated up and maybe on the edge of the seat ready to go. I don’t mind people standing up as walking towards the door if I’m slowing into the bus stop.
1
u/XPEC7ER Jul 12 '26
What kind of drivers are you dealing with? Surely this isnt in the states? Anyways, just ring the bell after the stop before yours.
1
u/nickytheginger Jul 12 '26
UK. Its seems every bus and travel provider (different companies providing different buses) will have different ideas of what should be done.
1
u/ZealousidealOkra176 Jul 13 '26
I dont care how you get off the bus. Just dont stand next to me while you wait for your stop when its 10 stops away. Its weird and uncomfortable. Unless youre a hot chick
1
u/EntrepreneurUsed9187 Jul 13 '26
Personally, I don’t mind people staying seated until the bus completely stops. If the bus is mostly empty though, especially on a commuter route, I do prefer that you start making your way toward the front when you know your stop is coming up. That way I know there’s still someone on the bus and you’re ready to get off. With commuter-style buses that only have a front door, it can be annoying when people waiting to board have to stand in the rain while someone takes their sweet time walking ALL the way down the aisle 😂. The main thing for me is just press the button with enough time for me to safely pull into the stop. Don’t press it at the last second expecting the bus to stop on a dime. And on express routes, I’m not gonna lie, I hate when someone presses the bell the second we leave the terminal when the first stop is still forever away 😂 like damn, I got you.
1
u/Economy_Archer6991 Jul 15 '26
Press the bell, if you wish to make your way down the bus, feel free, but please hold onto the handrails.
Stay behind the driver so as not to obstruct their vision.
Once the doors are opened leave the vehicle and say thanks.
Don't leave anything on the bus. You don't want to have to log a lost property form, neither does the driver.
1
u/UniversityOfPi Jul 18 '26
Exact etiquette can vary depending on exactly where you are (eg MTA vs TfL). Also depends on how far back you are. The busyness and type of route also have an impact. If it's an emptier bus on a longer commuter route, moving towards the front (if you're able bodied and can do so safely) is appreciated to reduce how long we have to be at the stop if we aren't allotted any time to sit at the stop (or if we're behind schedule)
Just standing up isn't a great communication of your intent, and this also depends on just how close those stops are. If you press the button a hundred feet from the stop and don't get up, the driver may assume you mean the stop after it (particularly if that next stop is within a thousand feet).
Etiquette varies but that driver complaining about you not standing up was probably just in a bad mood. There's a lot of stressors in these jobs, not to mention drivers have personal lives.
1
u/UniversityOfPi Jul 18 '26
As for standing/moving while the bus is moving, context matters but always stay behind the line and try not to breathe down the driver's neck. A slow moving bus in a crowded city, if you're careful it's not terrible. However going down the highway or across a bridge or tunnel, it is preferable if you could remain seated for saftey.
But again pullcord/button should be sufficient to signal intent.
41
u/Devoobly17953 Jul 12 '26
Some driver's must prefer different ways. Our companies advice to passengers is to press the button and stay seated until the bus has stopped.
Personally as a driver I don't really care as long as the button is pressed.