General

Bus Etiquette Guide

Bus Etiquette Guide

Before Boarding

  1. Validate Your Ticket Before Boarding: Ensure you have your fare ready and validated before stepping onto the bus. This helps the boarding process and avoids delays. In case you need to buy a ticket, do so at the ticket machine before boarding or purchase one from the bus driver.

  2. Use Transportation Apps to Plan Your Trip: Download apps like movA, naveo, or mobil.nrw to plan your route, check real-time schedules, and purchase tickets conveniently. These apps can also alert you to delays or disruptions.

Boarding

  1. Let Passengers Exit First: Always allow passengers to exit the bus before you board. Stand to the side and give them enough space to get off the bus safely.

  2. Do Not Block Doors: Avoid standing near the doors during travel to ensure smooth entry and exit for other passengers.

Onboard Behavior

  1. Avoid Loud Conversations and Respect Personal Space: Keep conversations quiet and avoid engaging in loud discussions. Be mindful of your personal space and avoid encroaching on others. Use headphones when listening to music or watching videos to maintain a considerate environment.

  2. Offer Your Seat When Necessary: Give up your seat for those who need it more, such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, or passengers with disabilities.

  3. Respect Priority Seating Areas: Be mindful of designated seats for elderly or disabled passengers, and vacate these seats when needed.

  4. Supervise Children: Ensure children behave appropriately, such as sitting properly and not disturbing other passengers.

  5. Respect Transit Staff: Treat bus drivers and other transit staff with respect. A friendly greeting and a thank you before you exit is kind and courteous.

Cleanliness

  1. Keep the Bus Clean: Avoid littering, eating, or drinking on the bus. Clean up after yourself if you make a mess.

  2. Trash Properly: Carry any trash with you if bins are unavailable and dispose of it responsibly at your stop.

  3. Leave Your Seat Clean: Before exiting, ensure your seat is clean and free of litter.

Safety

  1. Follow Safety Guidelines: Always stand behind the white safety markings at bus stops and maintain a safe distance from the curb while waiting.

  2. Secure Yourself During Travel: Hold onto handrails or other supports while standing to avoid accidents during sudden stops or turns.

Special Considerations

  1. Prepare to Exit Early: Signal your intention to disembark well in advance so the driver can stop safely.

  2. Transporting Bikes or Pets: If bringing a bike or pet, ensure it does not obstruct or inconvenience others. Bikes are only permitted during specific times, and pets must be leashed and controlled.

Helpful Tools

  1. Use Transportation Apps for Convenience:

  • movA: A comprehensive mobility app for Aachen that integrates bus, train, car-sharing, e-bike, e-scooter options, and parking availability.

  • naveo: Provides real-time routing for buses, trains, bicycles, and car-sharing services within the Aachener Verkehrsverbund (AVV).

  • mobil.nrw: Covers public transport across North Rhine-Westphalia with ticket purchasing options, departure monitors, bike routing features, and disruption alerts.