Passenger: Bus Operations
13 questions in the bank cover this topic. Everything below is drawn from the sources those questions cite.
Sources: 49 CFR 392.10, 49 CFR 392.14, 49 CFR 392.16, 49 CFR 392.60, 49 CFR 392.62, 49 CFR 395.5
What you need to know
392.62(a) requires all standees to be rearward of the standee line prescribed by 393.90.
Forward of it they obstruct the driver's view and movement.
All standees on the bus are rearward of the standee line or other means prescribed in § 393.90 of this subchapter
49 CFR 392.62
392.62(c) lists all three: unrestricted driver movement, unobstructed access to every exit, and protection of occupants against injury from falling or displaced articles.
All three must be assured together.
Baggage or freight on the bus is stowed and secured in a manner which assures— (1) Unrestricted freedom of movement to the driver and his proper operation of the bus; (2) Unobstructed access to all exits
49 CFR 392.62
392.62(c)(3) states the reason in terms of occupant injury.
In hard braking or a rollover, unsecured items travel through the passenger compartment.
(3) Protection of occupants of the bus against injury resulting from the falling or displacement of articles transported in the bus.
49 CFR 392.62
395.5(a) sets 10 hours driving and 15 hours on duty after 8 consecutive hours off.
The 11 and 14 hour figures and the 10-hour off-duty requirement belong to property-carrying vehicles under 395.3.
More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or (2) For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
49 CFR 395.5
392.60(a) covers a commercial motor vehicle other than a bus.
A bus exists to carry passengers, so the rule against unauthorised riders is aimed at freight vehicles.
no driver shall transport any person or permit any person to be transported on any commercial motor vehicle other than a bus
49 CFR 392.60
392.14 contains a passenger-safety exception allowing movement only to the nearest point where passenger safety is assured.
It is not permission to finish the run.
Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured.
49 CFR 392.14
392.16(a) applies to any commercial motor vehicle with a belt at the driver's seat and makes no exception for buses.
Note 392.16(b), which covers other occupants, is limited to property-carrying vehicles.
that has a seat belt assembly installed at the driver's seat unless the driver is properly restrained by the seat belt assembly
49 CFR 392.16
392.62(b) makes conformity with 393.91 a precondition for driving, so this is the driver's responsibility to check, not only the maintenance department's.
393.91 requires it when the seat is unoccupied.
All aisle seats in the bus conform to the requirements of § 393.91
49 CFR 392.62
392.62(c) names all three.
Note the second: a bag that blocks an exit is a violation even if it is perfectly secure, because securement and egress are separate duties.
Unrestricted freedom of movement to the driver and his proper operation of the bus
Unobstructed access to all exits by any occupant of the bus
Protection of occupants of the bus against injury resulting from the falling or displacement of articles transported in the bus
49 CFR 392.62
Rearward of the line.
The line marks where a standing passenger would be thrown into you or into the windshield under hard braking, and it exists to keep that space clear.
All standees on the bus are rearward of the standee line or other means prescribed in § 393.90 of this subchapter;
49 CFR 392.62
392.10(a)(1) names every bus transporting passengers.
The stop is required by the load you carry, not by the equipment at the crossing.
Every bus transporting passengers,
49 CFR 392.10
392.60 prohibits carrying unauthorised persons.
Authorisation comes from the carrier in writing, and a free ride is still carriage.
Unauthorized persons not to be transported
49 CFR 392.60
392.14 is a rule, not advice: extreme caution, reduced speed, and discontinue if conditions become sufficiently dangerous.
Carrying passengers does not earn you an exception.
Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction.
49 CFR 392.14
Check yourself
- What is the area of a bus in which standing passengers are permitted?
- What three things must baggage stowage on your bus assure?
- What is the reason articles carried inside a bus must be secured?
- What are the driving and on-duty limits for your passenger-carrying CMV?
- Does the written authorisation requirement for carrying passengers in the rule apply to buses?
- What is permitted when stopping would endanger your passengers?
- Must a bus driver wear a seat belt where one is installed at your seat?
- What is required of the aisle seats on a bus before you drive it?
- What is baggage stowage on your bus required to assure?
- What is the required position of standing passengers on your bus?
- How should you handle a railroad crossing with passengers aboard?
- What is the rule governing carrying a friend in your bus on a company run?
- What two things are required of you when fog badly reduces visibility?
Answers are in the practice test for this topic.