Alerts and updates for bus operators and independent auditors

Clause 16 of the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007 (PDF 2MB) states that the operator of a relevant service must have, and adhere to, a public passenger vehicle maintenance plan that is consistent with the maintenance standards of the manufacturer of the vehicles used to provide the service.

See BOAS Guideline Update 02 - Vehicle Maintenance Plans - includes list of bus manufacturers (PDF 75.48KB) for more information.

The Road Transport Act 2013 details the requirements of fitment and the use of Vehicle Monitoring Devices (VMDs). To determine which heavy vehicles require a VMD, refer to the Act.

The NSW Vehicle Monitoring Exemption Order 2023 (the Order) (NSW Legislation – Gazette) (see page 9) exempts buses (and any driver or person responsible for any such bus) from the Road Transport Act 2013 requirement to have a monitoring device fitted to a bus if the bus is used to carry out services (regular routes and timetables) under a current passenger service contract according to the Passenger Transport Act 2014.

Additionally, the exemption Order applies where a bus that is normally used to carry out services under a passenger service contract, is used (by the same operator) to deliver a charter service, but only where the charter service journey is completed in less than a 100km radius from the garage address of the bus.

The exemption Order now also applies where a charter service is a rail replacement service and the service is undertaken by the operator by way of agreement with a passenger rail operator, then the 100km rule does not apply.

The Order does not apply to operators of Long Distance, Tourist and Charter (LDTC) services and those that do not hold a passenger service contract with Transport for NSW. Operators of LDTC services are reminded that as a condition of your accreditation, you must maintain VMD records for all journeys undertaken irrespective of distance travelled.

The Order remains in effect until 30 March 2026.

A long distance bus service coach is a public passenger service conducted according to regular routes, in which each passenger is carried for at least 40 kilometres.

A tourist bus service is a public passenger service which is either:

• a pre-booked service designed for the carriage of tourists to destinations listed on a publicly available tour itinerary, or
• a service designed for the carriage of tourists where all passengers have a common origin or a common destination (or both).

A charter bus service is a public passenger service in which a bus and the services of a driver are pre-booked to take passengers for an agreed fee, but only if:

• The hirer is entitled to determine the route and the time of travel.
• All passengers' journeys have a common origin or a common destination (or both).
• Individual fares are not payable by the passengers (either to the operator or the driver).
• The service is not provided according to regular routes and timetables.

Long distance, tourist and charter bus services are essentially deregulated in they are not subject to the service contract regime. However, the following requirements do apply:

• The service must conform to the service definitions specified in the Act.
• The operator must be accredited, and comply with the regulations and the accreditation conditions (including public and passenger safety requirements).

The driver must have a driver authority and comply with the regulations and the driver authority conditions.

Clause 43 of the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 (PDF 2MB)requires the driver of a public passenger vehicle, whenever reasonably required to do so by Transport for NSW, to undertake and satisfactorily complete (or pass an examination in respect of) a training course concerning the driving of public passenger vehicles in specified places, or in specified circumstances, or in both (for example, a course concerning the driving of public passenger vehicles in the Kosciuszko National Park during the winter).

The updated Bulletin update 1.6 - Driving a bus or coach in Kosciuszko National Park (PDF 3.79MB) replaces the previous Bulletin No 1.4, issued in May 2024 ‘Driving a bus or coach in Kosciuszko National Park’. The amendments include an update to the relevant clause in the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 and contact details for training providers.

View or download a driver checklist (PDF 3.84MB) on what you need to know to drive and operate in the Kosciuszko National Park.

• Alert 1/16 – Runaway Bus Information Procedure (PDF 47.79KB)
• Alert 6/14 - Security of wheels on buses (PDF 41.07KB)
• Alert 4/14 - Drug and alcohol program (PDF 58.11KB)
• Alert 3/14 - Injuries on articulated buses manufactured in 1980s (PDF 60.34KB)
• Alert 2/14 - Checklist for fire on buses/coaches (PDF 40.12KB)
• Advice - Checklist for Fires on Buses (PDF 66.07KB)
• Alert 1/14 - Unsecured bus floor hatches (PDF 88.08KB)
• Alert 21 - Checklist for fires on buses/coaches (PDF 63.55KB)
• Alert 20 - Coolant leaks (PDF 32.17KB)

• Alert 19 - Adjustable draglinks and ball joints on vehicles (PDF 139.27KB)
• Alert 18 - Annual safety management system (SMS) audit (PDF 139.27KB)
• Alert 17 - Slips, trips and falls (PDF 43.74KB)
• Alert - Runaway buses (PDF 59.73KB)
• Alert - Notification requirements of accidents and incidents (PDF 1.83MB)
• Alert - Unsecured bus floor hatch (PDF 44.96KB)
• Alert - Wheel security (PDF 120.22KB)
• Alert - Footrests beneath emergency exits (PDF 66.94KB)
• Alert - Notification requirements of accidents and incidents (PDF 1.83MB)
• Alert - Insecure wheels (PDF 251.47KB)
• Alert - Heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws (PDF 236.42KB)
• Alert - Third party property insurance (PDF 35.94KB)
• Alert - Displaying accreditation details on buses (PDF 28.34KB)
• Alert - Emergency procedures and reporting (PDF 56.06KB)
• Alert - Charter journey records (PDF 20.86KB)
• Alert - Vehicle maintenance (PDF 49.19KB)
• Alert - End of shift procedures (PDF 24.07KB)