Arriva passengers across Liverpool and Merseyside must follow a set of conduct rules covering smoking, behaviour, food and animals, with assistance dogs carried free of charge and other dogs accepted at the driver's discretion.
The bus operator runs hundreds of services around Merseyside, where millions of people rely on bus travel every day. The bus is one of the most affordable forms of transport, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham has aimed to keep costs low. During his first week in office, Mr Burnham announced a cap on single bus tickets at £2.
According to the government, the cap on fares outside of London will help millions of people across the country access affordable bus travel more easily. People across Merseyside benefit from this cap, with bus services being a vital way people navigate the region.
Conduct rules on Arriva services
On its website, the travel company stated: "Arriva values its customers and aims to offer a safe, comfortable journey on a clean, well-maintained bus."
"It helps us to provide a pleasant travel environment if customers are respectful of other passengers, our staff and facilities. Otherwise you may be refused travel or asked to leave the vehicle or our premises."
Arriva said it wants all its customers to be safe during their journey. Passengers are expected to observe any instructions given to them by staff.
Misconduct on an Arriva vehicle includes smoking, causing offence to other passengers and staff, leaving rubbish and damaging equipment. Arriva said passengers must not:
- Smoke at any time – this includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes and means of lighting them.
- Behave in any way which causes offence to other passengers and staff – this includes verbal or physical abuse, being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or solvents; wearing soiled or dirty clothing, putting your feet on seats, consuming and playing personal or other music systems too loudly.
- Bring or consume any item of food, drink or other substance or materials on the vehicle in a way that causes offence or a hazard.
- Distribute, offer for sale or solicit for any items without prior permission – this includes collecting for charity.
- Deliberately interfere with, misuse or damage any equipment or fittings on the vehicle.
- Take part in any criminal or legally prohibited activity.
- Leave rubbish or discarded items on the vehicle.
- Lean out of the vehicle or throw or trail any item or article from the vehicle.
- Remain on the vehicle when instructed by the driver to leave.
Rules for dogs and other animals
Other rules concern bringing dogs and other animals onto a bus. Arriva said: "We welcome all types of assistance dog free or charge when accompanying either a registered disabled person or a trainer who can show an appropriate means of identification."
Other dogs are accepted at the discretion of the driver. All dogs must be on a harness or lead and, if necessary, muzzled in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act. Arriva reserves the right to ask passengers to leave the vehicle at any time if they permit their dog to behave unacceptably.
Small animals that will not be a danger or nuisance to other passengers are allowed on the vehicle provided they are fully under the control of a passenger by being boxed, caged or on a lead. Guidance said: "Animals must not travel on seats. All animals are carried at the owner's risk."
