Learn about the requirements for reporting bus safety incidents in NSW
Bus safety in NSW
The NSW Passenger Transport Act 1990 allows OTSI to investigate any safety occurrence involving a bus, with a seating capacity of more than 8 adults, that is providing a public passenger service for a fare.
OTSI assesses all bus incident reports received to determine if any action needs to be taken. We also review bus operator investigation reports to identify systemic safety risks and issues. We provide feedback to support operators in improving the quality of their investigations.
For more information, see Investigation process.
Reportable occurrences
The Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 requires an operator to report an incident if it involved or resulted in one or more of the following:
- a person being injured
- the driver of the bus being incapacitated
- a mechanical or electrical fire or an explosion on the bus
- a failure of the steering or brakes of the bus
- a bus being in motion while not under the effective control of a driver
- the bus being unable to continue its journey
- a person being caught in the doors of the bus and being dragged by the bus.
The occurrence should also be reported if it is, in the reasonable opinion of the operator of the service, likely to create serious public concern.
How reports are made
Bus operators
There are specific requirements for when and how occurrences are reported to Transport for NSW, OTSI and NSW Police.
Bus operators must report the following significant safety occurrences to the OTSI Duty Officer immediately on 1800 677 766:
- a person being fatally injured
- the driver of the bus being incapacitated
- fire or an explosion on the bus
- a failure of the steering or brakes of the bus
- a bus being in motion while not under the effective control of a driver (e.g. bus rollaway)
- a person being caught in the doors of the bus while the bus is in motion
- a collision where the bus requires towing
- a collision where a pedestrian is struck and is seriously injured
- a school child being seriously injured (including children in organised care)
- a child left on a bus unattended, while in organised care
- any other accident or incident likely to generate immediate or intense public interest or concern.
Bus operators can contact the OTSI Duty Officer to report a significant safety occurrence 24 hours a day.
After the notification of a safety occurrence to the Duty Officer, OTSI may ask the bus operator to complete an investigation into the matter.
To assist with the completion of this investigation a 72 Hour Bus Incident Investigation Report Form or a Bus Fire/Thermal Incident Information Collection Form may be requested.
The completed forms can be submitted to OTSI by:
Email: transport.safety@otsi.nsw.gov.au
CSIRS reports
If you are a transport employee and there is a safety concern within your workplace that you have been unable to resolve internally, or you feel may warrant additional investigation and/or review by OTSI, you can make a report using the Confidential Safety Information Reporting Scheme (CSIRS).
Members of the public
Members of the public can report a bus incident, or raise safety concerns and complaints directly to Transport for NSW by:
Phone: 131 500
Or online using the Transport for NSW feedback form .
The benefits of reporting
Information obtained from reported incidents enables us to help improve safety by identifying issues, patterns and trends.
OTSI has access to the BIMD and analyses data from incident reports to develop strategies and practical advice for operators to help avoid similar incidents in the future.