PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the driver's responsibility when a passenger falls on the bus?
- Stop safely if not already stationary, assist the passenger and assess for injury, call for medical help if needed, and report the incident (Correct answer)
- Continue to the next stop before assisting — stopping suddenly could injure others
- It is not the driver's responsibility — the passenger chose to stand
- Only assist if the passenger requests help
Correct answer: Stop safely if not already stationary, assist the passenger and assess for injury, call for medical help if needed, and report the incident
When a passenger falls, the driver must stop safely, assess the passenger's condition, provide first aid if trained, call 999 if seriously injured, ensure other passengers are not in danger, and complete an incident report.
Question 2: What should a PCV driver do if a passenger threatens them or another passenger?
- Remain calm, do not retaliate, follow operator security procedures, call the police if necessary, and stop the vehicle in a safe place (Correct answer)
- Immediately stop and eject the threatening passenger at any location
- Ignore the behaviour and continue the route
- Accelerate to reach the nearest stop quickly
Correct answer: Remain calm, do not retaliate, follow operator security procedures, call the police if necessary, and stop the vehicle in a safe place
Aggressive passengers require a calm, professional response. The driver should not escalate the situation, should follow operator procedures (which may include calling the control room or police), and should stop safely if the threat is serious. Personal safety is paramount.
Question 3: What is the rule regarding a PCV driver leaving the cab while carrying passengers?
- Drivers must apply the handbrake and ensure the vehicle is stationary and secure before leaving the cab — engine must be switched off on some vehicles (Correct answer)
- Drivers may leave the cab at any time if the handbrake is applied
- Drivers may leave the cab briefly without applying the handbrake if the road is level
- Leaving the cab while passengers are on board is always prohibited
Correct answer: Drivers must apply the handbrake and ensure the vehicle is stationary and secure before leaving the cab — engine must be switched off on some vehicles
When a driver needs to leave the cab (e.g., to assist a passenger), the vehicle must be stationary, handbrake applied, and on some vehicles the engine switched off. Leaving a running vehicle unsecured with passengers on board is dangerous and potentially illegal.
Question 4: What information must a driver give to a passenger who asks about the route?
- The driver should provide route, stop, and service information — operators are required to provide accessible travel information (Correct answer)
- Drivers are not required to answer passenger questions — only to drive safely
- Tell the passenger to check the timetable board
- Refer all enquiries to the call centre
Correct answer: The driver should provide route, stop, and service information — operators are required to provide accessible travel information
PCV operators and drivers have a duty to provide accessible travel information to passengers. Drivers should answer reasonable questions about stops and routes. This is part of the duty of care and passenger service obligations.
Question 5: What should a PCV driver do if a child appears to be travelling alone and appears lost or distressed?
- Stop safely, check on the child, alert the control room, and if necessary contact police while remaining with the child until help arrives (Correct answer)
- Continue to the destination — the child may know where they are going
- Ask other passengers to look after the child
- Only act if the child asks for help
Correct answer: Stop safely, check on the child, alert the control room, and if necessary contact police while remaining with the child until help arrives
A child appearing lost or distressed is a safeguarding concern. The driver must stop if safe to do so, check on the child, contact the control room and/or police, and ensure the child is not left alone. Child safeguarding is a duty of care.
Question 6: Under the Equality Act 2010, what must a PCV driver do for passengers with disabilities?
- Make reasonable adjustments to assist disabled passengers, including deploying the ramp and allowing wheelchair users priority in designated spaces (Correct answer)
- Only assist if specifically requested by the passenger
- Treat disabled passengers exactly the same as all other passengers without any adjustment
- Only assist if the operator has a specific policy
Correct answer: Make reasonable adjustments to assist disabled passengers, including deploying the ramp and allowing wheelchair users priority in designated spaces
The Equality Act 2010 requires PCV operators and drivers to make reasonable adjustments for passengers with disabilities. This includes deploying boarding ramps, using kneeling bus functions, deploying boarding ramps, and giving wheelchair users priority in designated spaces.
PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 2
What is the driver's responsibility when a passenger falls on the bus?