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Public transport safety

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Use these tips so everyone can experience a safe and comfortable journey on Brisbane buses, metros, CityCats and ferries.

Female, senior bus passenger alighting from rear door on a Council bus with her senior go card in hand.

Bus and metro safety

To ensure your bus or metro journey is safe and comfortable, follow these simple safety tips.

  • Have your go card or other contactless payment option ready to tap on, or your pre-paid paper ticket, approved travel card or pass ready.
  • Hail the driver by raising your hand when you see your bus approaching.
  • Remain behind the markings on the ground at bus stations or at least one metre from the kerbside at bus stops until the approaching bus comes to a complete stop.

  • Allow passengers onboard to exit first before you board.
  • When boarding a bus, ask your driver to activate the wheelchair ramp, if required.
  • When boarding a metro, press the blue ramp request button located on the left side of the first compartment door to deploy the ramp, if required.
  • Use grab handles or handrails to board and move around the vehicle.
  • Keep aisles free of trip hazards by storing large items in the luggage racks.
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Note

E-mobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, are not allowed on Brisbane buses.

Foldable bikes are allowed onboard.

  • Avoid changing seats while the vehicle is in motion.
  • Use the grab handles or handrails for support if no seats are available.
  • Take note of the emergency exit locations and procedures in the unlikely event of an emergency.

  • Press the stop button at least 100 metres before your stop, to allow the driver to stop smoothly and safely.
  • Stay seated until the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
  • Use the grab handles or handrails for support as you make your way off the vehicle.
  • Tap off with your go card or other contactless payment option. Make sure you use the same card or option you tapped on with.

Looking for something else?

Buses

Public transport accessibility

CityCats and ferries

Personalised Public Transport

Bus evacuation demonstration

Learn about emergency exit features available on Council buses. Find out how to use them in the unlikely event that your bus driver is unable to assist.

Watch the demonstration

This is a transcript for Brisbane bus evacuation demonstration.

Every year, around 75 million passenger trips are taken in Brisbane, so the likelihood of an incident is extremely low.

However, if you are required to evacuate, passengers should always follow the direction of the bus operator. They are trained and will ensure safety of passengers in an emergency situation.

Our buses also contain stickers showing a detailed bus evacuation map. Please refer to the map in your individual bus.

In the unlikely event that the bus operator is unable to assist, this video will demonstrate how to operate the emergency exit features and safely evacuate the bus.

Manually opening doors

First, find your nearest exit – this could be the front or rear doors.

If the bus operator is unable to assist, the bus doors can be opened from within using the emergency release button.

To open the front and rear door, press the emergency release button and pull the doors into an open position.

In the event of an emergency, doors are able to be opened from the outside.

There are also stickers showing you how to use the emergency release button and open the doors.

Take care to observe your surroundings as you exit the bus, considering traffic, emergency services and other passengers.

Emergency exit windows

If the bus operator is unable to assist and the doors cannot be opened, passengers can use the emergency exit windows.

These windows are identifiable by an illuminated ‘emergency exit’ sticker, such as this one.

A hammer is provided here that allows you to break the window.

Remove glass from the window frame before attempting to exit.

Always consider your surroundings before exiting the bus, and assist your fellow passengers where possible.

Roof hatches

Have you ever wondered why some buses have roof hatches? They’re for situations where the bus is no longer upright.

If the bus operator is unable to assist, passengers can exit the bus via the roof hatch.

Push both sets of handles to lift the hatch open. Turn the handle in the direction indicated to release the hatch. Push the hatch open.

You can locate the roof hatch by referring to the sticker on the bus you are travelling in.

Always consider your surroundings such as nearby traffic before exiting the bus, and assist your fellow passengers where possible.

In the event of an emergency, always follow any instruction from your bus operator, and be considerate of other passengers.

Please tell your bus operator if you detect smoke or something that doesn’t seem right.

Do not tamper with or deface any emergency evacuation equipment including hammers, signage or other safety features.

These controls are in place to protect you and the general public.

Brisbane City Council thanks you for getting on board Australia’s most modern bus fleet. Thank you for your time.

Bus emergency exit locations

Bus evacuation diagram showing emergency exits for standard Council buses.

  1. Locate the red ‘Emergency door release' button.
  2. Pull door open.
  3. Exit bus if outside is clear.
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Note

The location of the emergency door release button varies depending on the type of bus you are on. Typically, it will be located either above the door or on a side panel near the door. If necessary, stand on a nearby seat or step to access the button. 

  1. Break glass with hammer.
  2. Run the hammer around the edge of the window to remove any excess glass or cover window base if glass shards are present.
  3. Exit bus if outside is clear.

  1. Push handle outwards.
  2. Turn lever.
  3. Push hatch open.
  4. Exit bus if outside is clear.

CityCat and ferry safety

To ensure your ferry journey is safe and comfortable, follow these simple safety tips.

  • Have your go card or other contactless payment option ready to tap on, or your pre-paid paper ticket, approved travel card or pass to show the deckhand when you board the ferry.
  • Stand behind the yellow markings at the edge of the terminal.
  • Ensure that children are holding an adult’s hand while waiting on the terminal and boarding the ferry.
  • Wheelchair and mobility device users should take care at terminals, as access ramps may be at a steep angle during low tide.   

  • Allow passengers onboard to exit first, before you board.
  • Deckhands will indicate when it is safe for you to board the vessel.
  • Allow passengers in wheelchairs or with mobility devices to board first.

  • Be mindful not to block access to doors, aisles or gangways with prams, bags or bikes.
  • If a seat is available, please use it, even if you are on a short trip.
  • Use the grab handles or handrails for support if no seats are available.
  • Take note of the emergency exit locations, lifejackets and procedures in the unlikely event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, please follow crew directions.
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Note

Bikes and scooters (including e-scooters) are allowed on CityCats and ferries, at the Ferry Master’s discretion. They must be stored in the designated areas of the vessel.

  • Ensure that you tap off with your go card or other contactless payment option.

  • Deckhands will indicate when it is safe for you to exit the vessel.

  • Allow passengers in wheelchairs or with mobility devices to disembark first.

  • Use the handrails for support as you make your way off the ferry.