Travelling by bus

General principles of travelling by bus

Travelling during public holidays

What to expect while travelling on buses

 

General principles

You should always give a clear signal to the driver when you wish to board or alight. When you see the bus approaching the bus stop, hold your arm out. This will let the bus driver know that you want the bus to stop.

On certain sections of route, “Hail and Ride” conditions may apply and the bus may stop wherever it is safe to do so.

You can take your dog onto the bus if the driver agrees (advice on which animals are allowed to travel on buses).

You can take luggage or packages on the bus as long as the driver thinks they will not be an obstruction to other passengers.

You should contact the operator of the service immediately if you have left any personal property on the bus (there may be a handling charge for lost property).

Public Holidays

Special arrangements are usually in force on Public Holidays, and between Christmas and New Year. Normally either a Saturday or Sunday service operates on Public Holidays, with Saturday services running between Christmas and New Year.

TfL service operate Saturday services on most Public Holidays and Easter Friday.

Hertfordshire County Council services and most other county services operate Sunday timetable or specific Public Holiday services/journeys.

We advise you to always check the timetables and specific Public Holiday updates before your travel.

Whilst on the bus

As a matter of courtesy, disabled passengers and parents with small children should be offered a seat by other passengers when no other seating is available. Some seats are reserved for such a class of passengers, so please always respect any seating reserved markings.

Where required passengers should change seat to allow others to board with a pushchair or in a wheelchair.

If a wheelchair user boards the bus when children are being carried in an unfolded pushchair in the bay, the driver will request that the pushchair is folded and the child carried on a seat or lap. 

Wheelchair and mobility scooter users have priority over the wheelchair bay.

Where a customer still refuses to move to allow a wheelchair user to board, the driver has rights to contact the Company’s Control Room to seek guidance.

Passengers are not allowed:

  • smoke or vape including e-cigarettes, cigarettes or carry a lighted pipe on the bus
  • disturb or offend other passengers, staff or agents
  • play musical instruments or audio equipment aloud whilst on the bus
  • damage the vehicle or any property on the bus belonging to the operator
  • endanger safety
  • consume alcohol
  • use or carry any non-prescribed or illegal drugs
  • engage in any criminal activity
  • litter on the vehicle

If any of the above is committed the bus driver has the right to request passengers leave the vehicle and where deemed necessary, contact the police. In those circumstances’ passengers requested to leave the vehicle will not be entitled to a refund of their fare.

If a passenger causes damage to the bus, the operator reserves the right to seek all reasonable costs incurred in rectifying any damage caused and reserves the right to report the matter to the police with a view to prosecution.