Guidelines & Advisories

Advisory 1

Advisory 1 of this Bus & Coach Safety Advisory Series was released in August 2023 and is intended to support incoming ADR’s 109/00 and 110/00 relating to zero emissions technology for heavy vehicles. This page provides website links to relevant regulations and standards, and downloadable MWord working templates that can be incorporated into existing heavy vehicle specification forms (systems) for use by manufacturers, bus operators and transport agencies. Download Advisory 1. Overview of chapters Componentry of battery and hydrogen zero emissions vehicles Heavy vehicle regulations in Australia and ADR’s. Recommendations for the adoption of United Nations regulations and website links to the

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August 17, 2023

Advisory 2

This Advisory is intended to provide guidance on the operation and maintenance of zero emissions vehicles specifically in relation to the new vehicle technology systems such as: battery packs, electrical power control and distribution systems, high-pressure hydrogen storage and distribution componentry, fire protection and emergency response. The expected release date for Advisory 2 is January 2024. The main chapters of this advisory include: Requirements of AS 5732:2022 in relation to: Processes for maintenance and repairs not related to the rechargeable electric energy storage system (REESS) Processes for maintenance and repairs which involve working with the REESS and associated hazardous voltage systems Handling

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August 17, 2023

Advisory 3

This Advisory is intended to focus on the fixed systems and infrastructure needed to support zero emissions vehicles. The expected release date of Advisory 3 is June 2024. The main chapters of this advisory include: Recharging stations and systems. Periodic maintenance of refuelling/recharging infrastructure. Hydrogen refuelling/recharging stations. Traffic/impact protection. Security. Infrared fire protection. Venting. Location in depot. Depot and operating safety. Tunnels and on-road infrastructure. Operations in enclosed spaces (for example – tunnels).

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August 17, 2023

Bus Breakdown Guide

One of the most common hazards in the bus and coach industry is the on-road safety risks presented by a bus breakdown or malfunction. While breakdowns can occur in all motor vehicles, the risks associated with bus breakdowns, where the vehicle is carrying public passengers and often schoolchildren, can be significant. Data from the bus and coach sector reveals that the majority of serious injuries and fatalities occur not within the bus but rather on the road where passengers alighting from a bus can be hit by other vehicles. There is also the potential of multiple fatalities from a collision

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March 28, 2022

Driver training to prevent bus rollaway

On 24 Feb 2022, ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) released a training video for drivers on how to mitigate bus rollaway events. Extensive research collated by CDC shows that, nationally, the majority of bus rollaway events happen at the depot or interchange. Research indicates that the majority of rollaway events happen during pre-trip inspections, meal breaks and end of day when the bus is being cleaned.  The ultimate aim of this video is to educate drivers and reduce the occurrences of bus rollaways – research suggests that a bus rollaway occurs every day across Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSorBO6An6M

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March 6, 2022

Bus Fire Evacuation Protocol

This Advisory was developed as part of a safety project funded by the federal government through the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative Funding Agreement, administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The lead entity in delivering this project was the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC), overseen by a Working Committee and by representatives from the NHVR.The objective of the Advisory is to assist bus and coach operators in the delivery of tangible improvements in heavy vehicle safety with the adoption of a bus fire evacuation protocol including associated training packages that can be used to train bus drivers on how to

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March 8, 2019

Tyre Operations & Maintenance – Industry Advisory

This Advisory was developed by the bus and coach industry in order to assist bus operators in the adoption of appropriate policies and procedures relating to the safe operation, maintenance and management of bus tyres.The Advisory contains critical information and practical guidelines in the following key areas: understanding the specification of a tyre and its components compliance Regulations for tyres and effects of increased mass limits tyre retreading requirements and the process tyre fleet costs and buy or lease options reducing full life cost of tyres maintenance guidelines. Download the Advisory Download

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April 8, 2016

Health and Well-being Awareness Guide

This Guide is for all employers interested in promoting health and wellbeing in their employees to encourage a more productive and active workforce. This is an industry specific Awareness Guide. Download the Guide Download

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March 8, 2015

National IR & Workplace Health & Safety Guide

This Guide has been edited by Australian Public Transport Industrial Association (APTIA). APTIA is the industrial arm of the BIC. This guide is a one-stop document for Bus & Coach Operators on matters relating to:• Casual Employment• Employment Contract (Fair Work Act)• Employment Rights• Work Health & Safety• Policy templates (such as: bullying/harrassment, drug & alcohol, gender equality, record keeping, etc.)• Health & Wellbeing of the workforce” Download the Guide Download

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March 8, 2015

Fire Mitigation Advisory – Industry Advisory

Fire mitigation on buses is seen as a key safety issue for bus operators and drivers, bus suppliers and manufacturers, bus passengers and government agencies at all levels.Currently every week in Australia at least one bus experiences a potentially fatal fire incident. The potential for a fatal bus firein Australia does exist, especially for buses operating in high density urban environments or in traffic tunnels.This Advisory has been developed as part of a joint project undertaken by the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) and the Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia transport authorities, to capture in one document the key

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September 8, 2014