The company has launched an initiative to improve poor behaviour on buses by a small minority of students and young people who use our services.

A leaflet has been published drawing attention to this small minority whose poor behaviour causes distress and offence to other customers on our services. As well as being unpleasant, bad behaviour can sometimes escalate into dangerous situations which can endanger other people’s safety.

This campaign is aimed at all the senior schools and colleges in the areas served by bus services provided by Reading Buses, Newbury Buses and Goldline.

All the senior schools and colleges have been approached regarding this initiative, and we have met with a very positive response. We have also liaised with Thames Valley Police and are supported by the Safer Reading Campaign.

The information leaflet is widely available through schools and colleges, and from the Reading Civic Centre, our Travel Centre in Broad Street Mall and Newbury Buses Travel Shop. You can view or download the leaflet as a PDF here. 

Schools and colleges are being asked to ensure that all students regularly using our services for transport to and from school and college pledge to refrain from acting irresponsibly, by signing and returning the pledge form to their place of schooling. The pledge form invites parents and/or guardians, plus a representative from each school or college to also sign up to the promotion of better behaviour on buses. This information will then be stored on a database situated at the Company’s office in Reading.

Where poor behaviour occurs we will investigate all incidents to identify the individuals concerned. With the continuing co-operation of schools and colleges, we will apply the appropriate sanction, informing the offender(s) and their parents/guardians of our decision.

The leaflet sets out a list of sanctions recommended by BUSK (Belt-up School Kids) that should follow examples of poor or bad behaviour. These are:-

ONE DAY BAN

• Swearing at the driver.
• Disobeying an instruction given by the driver.
• Throwing rubbish on the floor.
• Sticking chewing gum to seats. 

ONE WEEK BAN

• Misuse of bell.
• Shouting.
• Smoking.
• Graffiti.
• Lack of consideration towards the general public on the bus. 

ONE MONTH BAN

• Misuse of emergency exit.
• Bullying.
• Specifically distracting the driver.
• Running around.
• Throwing objects inside/outside vehicle. 

ONE TERM BAN

• Second offence of any of the points outlined in the one month ban category. 

PERMANENT BAN

• Third offence of any of the points outlined in the one month category.