Social Event & Group Charter: Passenger Conduct Policy
Sydney Charter Bus Australia | ABN: 44 134 888 912 | NSW Accreditation No. 39461 | Effective: May 2026
This policy applies to all social event, group charter, celebration, corporate social, wedding, sporting and entertainment transport services operated by Sydney Charter Bus Australia. It applies to the Hirer and every Passenger on board, from the moment of boarding to the moment of disembarkation. Reading and accepting this policy is a condition of booking. The Hirer accepts personal responsibility for communicating these requirements to all Passengers before the day of the service.
⚠ We are not a party bus operator. Sydney Charter Bus Australia provides professional, accredited group transport. We transport social groups to and from events with the same professional standards applied to all our services. If your event requires a party bus with on-board alcohol, a bar, a DJ booth or pole dancing, we are not the operator for you and we ask that you do not proceed with a booking.
⚠ The Most Important Rule | No Alcohol | No Exceptions | No Refunds on Termination
This is stated first because it is the single most common cause of service termination. Please read it carefully before booking.
1. Alcohol, Zero Tolerance
The consumption of alcohol is absolutely and unconditionally prohibited on all Sydney Charter Bus Australia vehicles at all times. This means:
- No alcohol may be consumed on board, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary
- No opened containers of alcohol may be present anywhere in the passenger cabin
- Passengers may not board carrying opened containers of alcohol
- Passengers must not board in a state of pre-intoxication that poses a risk to other Passengers or the driver
- No passenger may supply alcohol to another passenger on board
- No passenger may consume alcohol purchased at a venue or event while on the return service
This prohibition is a consequence of NSW law, specifically the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 (NSW), and Sydney Charter Bus Australia’s company policy, which does not permit any exception regardless of the occasion, the group’s preference or any prior arrangement not confirmed in writing by Sydney Charter Bus Australia management.
What happens if alcohol is found on board or consumed during the service
| Step 1: Driver Warning | The driver will verbally warn the Hirer or the relevant Passenger/s and request immediate compliance. Alcohol must be removed from the cabin. |
| Step 2: Passenger Removal | If the warning is not complied with immediately, the driver will pull over at the first safe location. The Passenger/s responsible will be required to disembark and arrange their own transport at their own cost. NSW Police may be contacted where behaviour warrants. |
| Step 3: Service Termination | Where the Hirer fails to control the situation, or where alcohol consumption is widespread or repeated, the driver has the authority to terminate the entire service immediately. No refund of any amount paid will be issued on termination for alcohol-related breach. The full booking value remains payable. |
The Hirer’s responsibility: The Hirer who confirms the booking accepts personal legal and financial responsibility for the conduct of all Passengers in relation to this policy. If the Hirer is not on board, they must nominate an adult representative who is physically present on the vehicle throughout the service and is empowered to enforce this policy on SCBA’s behalf. The nominating of a representative does not transfer legal responsibility from the Hirer.
2. Intoxication at Boarding
Any Passenger who presents at boarding in a state of intoxication that, in the driver’s reasonable assessment, poses a risk to the safety or comfort of other Passengers or the driver may be refused boarding. This assessment is made by the driver as the authorised safety officer of the vehicle and is not subject to challenge at the time of the service.
Signs of intoxication that may result in boarding refusal include but are not limited to: slurred speech, impaired coordination, aggressive or threatening behaviour, incoherent communication, evidence of active intoxication or recent vomiting, and any other indication that the Passenger’s behaviour is likely to become unsafe or disruptive during the service.
Note to Hirers: Pre-event functions and pre-drinking are common on social event bookings. Hirers are strongly advised to communicate to their group that passengers presenting in a visibly intoxicated state will not be permitted to board and that no refund will apply to any portion of the booking attributable to their refusal. The cost of a Passenger being refused boarding is a consequence of their own conduct and is not a liability of Sydney Charter Bus Australia.
| Intoxication Status | SCBA Response |
|---|---|
| Mildly affected but manageable | Driver may permit boarding with a warning. The Hirer’s representative must accept responsibility and the Passenger must be seated immediately and remain seated. |
| Visibly intoxicated, still cooperative | Driver may refuse boarding or permit conditional boarding at their discretion. The Hirer accepts liability for the Passenger’s conduct for the duration of the service. |
| Heavily intoxicated, aggressive or unwell | Boarding refused. The Passenger must arrange alternative transport. NSW Police may be called where the Passenger’s condition or conduct poses a public safety risk. No refund applies to the refused Passenger’s portion of the booking. |
3. Passenger Behaviour
All Passengers are required to behave in a manner that is safe, respectful and appropriate throughout the entire service, from boarding through to disembarkation. The driver is the authorised safety officer of the vehicle and has the full authority to manage passenger behaviour, issue warnings and terminate the service where behaviour presents a safety or legal risk.
Strictly prohibited on all SCBA social event services:
| ✗ | Verbal abuse, threats or intimidation directed at the driver, other Passengers, or any member of the public from the vehicle. This includes offensive, racist, sexist, homophobic or discriminatory language. This is not a matter of degree. Any threatening or abusive language directed at the driver constitutes grounds for immediate service termination and notification of NSW Police. |
| ✗ | Physical aggression of any kind, including fighting between Passengers, pushing, striking or threatening physical contact with the driver or any other person in or near the vehicle. Where physical aggression occurs, the driver will immediately stop the vehicle in a safe location, contact NSW Police and wait for police attendance before any further movement of the vehicle occurs. |
| ✗ | Sexual harassment of any Passenger, the driver or any person encountered during the service. Unwanted physical contact, lewd comments, inappropriate gestures or any behaviour of a sexual nature directed at another person without their consent. Any complaint of sexual harassment received by the driver will be treated as a safety incident requiring immediate action. |
| ✗ | Distracting the driver, including approaching the driver while the vehicle is in motion, shouting toward the front of the vehicle, throwing objects, shining lights at the windscreen, waving items near the driver’s field of vision, or any other action that interferes with the driver’s concentration or ability to safely operate the vehicle. |
| ✗ | Leaning out of windows, placing any body part outside the vehicle while in motion, or interfering with windows, doors, emergency exits or any other vehicle components. Opening an emergency exit except in a genuine emergency constitutes a criminal offence under NSW transport law. |
| ✗ | Vandalism or deliberate damage to the vehicle or its fittings, including seats, seatbelts, upholstery, windows, mirrors, overhead fittings, hand rails, air conditioning units, entertainment systems or any other component. The Hirer is liable for the full cost of repair or replacement for any damage caused during the service. Photography or video of damage during the service may be used in cost assessment. |
| ✗ | Illegal drug use or possession on or in proximity to the vehicle. The driver will immediately contact NSW Police where illegal substances are detected or suspected. The service will be suspended until police attendance or until all affected Passengers have been removed from the vehicle. |
| ✗ | Standing, congregating in aisles or moving around the vehicle while it is in motion. All Passengers must be seated with seatbelts fastened throughout the journey. This is a legal requirement under the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) and a safety requirement that is not negotiable on any grounds. |
| ✗ | Throwing objects in, from or at the vehicle at any time, including during stops. Throwing objects from a moving vehicle is a criminal offence under NSW law and creates direct liability for the throwing Passenger and, in some circumstances, the Hirer. |
| ✗ | Spitting inside the vehicle or from the vehicle. This is prohibited under NSW health and transport law and will result in immediate service termination and reporting to NSW Police where the behaviour persists or is directed at the driver. |
4. Music, Sound & Entertainment
Music and audio entertainment are permitted on social event services subject to the following conditions:
| Topic | Policy |
|---|---|
| Volume | Music and audio must be kept at a volume that does not interfere with the driver’s ability to hear traffic, emergency signals, warning indicators or radio communications. The driver has the authority to request a reduction in volume at any time and that request must be complied with immediately. Sustained high-volume music that the driver has requested to be reduced and that is not reduced constitutes a safety breach and grounds for service termination. |
| Personal devices | Music from personal devices is permitted where it is played at a reasonable volume through speakers or headphones and does not disturb the driver or other Passengers unreasonably. Passengers using personal speakers are responsible for monitoring and managing volume in response to driver requests. |
| Vehicle sound system | Connection of personal devices to the vehicle’s audio system requires prior written arrangement with Sydney Charter Bus Australia. Not all vehicles have passenger-accessible audio systems. Where an audio connection has been pre-arranged, the Hirer is responsible for ensuring the volume remains appropriate throughout the service. |
| Content | All audio content played on or within the vehicle must be appropriate for the group’s composition and must not be offensive, threatening, sexist, racist or discriminatory. The driver may request that particular content cease playing where it is of a nature that is offensive or inappropriate. Compliance with this request is mandatory. |
| Public performance | Copyright material may not be publicly broadcast within the vehicle without a valid public performance licence provided by the Hirer. Where entertainment or video content is to be played publicly on board, the Hirer must confirm a valid public performance licence in writing before the service. |
| Microphones and PA systems | Where a vehicle is fitted with a PA system, it may be used by the Hirer’s representative for group communication purposes only. It must not be used for extended entertainment, loud announcements or any use that creates sustained elevated noise levels within the cabin. |
5. Dress Code & Presentation
Sydney Charter Bus Australia applies a minimum dress standard to all passengers on all services. This standard exists to ensure that all passengers are able to access venues, and to ensure that the professional environment of our vehicles is maintained throughout the service.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum standard | All Passengers must board wearing a shirt or top (covering the torso), shorts, trousers or a skirt, and appropriate footwear. Bare feet are not permitted on any SCBA vehicle. No exceptions. |
| Fancy dress and costumes | Fancy dress, costumes and themed attire are permitted subject to the following: the costume must cover the same body areas as the minimum dress standard above; costumes incorporating masks that obstruct vision or communication are not permitted while the vehicle is in motion; costumes incorporating sharp or protruding elements that could damage upholstery or injure other Passengers are not permitted; and costumes incorporating open footwear (thongs, bare feet) do not meet the minimum standard. |
| Footwear | Shoes with spikes, cleats or metal studs are prohibited on all SCBA vehicles as they damage flooring and upholstery. Stilettos are permitted but the Hirer accepts liability for any floor damage caused. Bare feet are not permitted. |
| Venue dress codes | SCBA takes no responsibility for Passengers refused entry to a venue due to non-compliance with the venue’s dress code. Venue dress codes are entirely separate from SCBA’s minimum dress standard and are the Hirer’s responsibility to communicate to all Passengers before the day of the service. SCBA does not provide refunds where service is disrupted by a Passenger’s failure to meet a venue’s dress requirements. |
| Identification | Passengers travelling on any service involving licensed venues must carry valid photographic identification (Australian driver’s licence, passport or Proof of Age card) throughout the service. SCBA accepts no responsibility for Passengers refused entry to venues due to failure to carry or produce valid identification. This is particularly relevant to bar and crawl-style social events. |
6. Decorations, Signage & Vehicle Modifications
| Item | Policy |
|---|---|
| Balloons | Balloons are prohibited in all SCBA vehicles without prior written approval from SCBA management. Balloons near the driver create a significant visual distraction hazard, and burst balloons create a sudden loud noise hazard. Where prior written approval has been granted, balloons must be kept away from the driver’s area and must be secured throughout the journey. All balloons and balloon debris must be removed from the vehicle by the Hirer’s group at the end of the service. |
| Internal decorations | Banners, streamers, bunting, table confetti, flower petals, glitter, tinsel and similar decorative materials require prior written approval from SCBA before the service. Where approved, all decorations must be installed and removed by the Hirer’s group. Decorations may not be attached to the vehicle using adhesive tape, tacks, pins, staples or any other method that damages or marks internal surfaces. Glitter and confetti are specifically prohibited. These materials cannot be fully removed from upholstery and cause lasting damage to the vehicle’s interior. Any decoration-related damage or cleaning requirement will be charged to the Hirer. |
| External signage and banners | No signage, banners, promotional material, branding or external decorations may be attached to the exterior of any SCBA vehicle without prior written approval. This applies to magnetic signage, adhesive materials, banners tied to windows or mirrors, or any other attachment. Damage to vehicle paintwork, windows or body panels resulting from unauthorised external attachment is fully chargeable to the Hirer. |
| Confetti cannons and party poppers | Confetti cannons, party poppers, aerosol streamers, indoor fireworks, sparklers and similar devices are absolutely prohibited on and in proximity to all SCBA vehicles. These devices create fire hazard, damage vehicle upholstery and fittings, and cannot be removed from the vehicle’s interior. Their use on board constitutes grounds for immediate service termination and full charge for biohazard or specialist cleaning. |
| Flowers and greenery | Floral arrangements and decorative greenery are permitted where they are contained in secure, non-leaking containers and will not fall, spill or shed petals onto vehicle upholstery during transit. Flower petals loose on upholstery constitute a cleaning requirement. Where floral arrangements create a mess, standard cleaning fees apply. |
| Clean-up obligation | The Hirer is responsible for ensuring all rubbish, decorations, personal property, food containers and personal items are removed from the vehicle at the end of the service. The vehicle must be left in the condition in which it was boarded. Where the vehicle requires cleaning beyond the standard post-service clean, a cleaning fee from $88 inc. GST applies. Biohazard cleaning fees apply separately under Section 9. |
7. Smoking & Vaping
Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and any other smoking implement are prohibited by law on all vehicles under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 (NSW). This prohibition applies without exception in all enclosed areas of the vehicle, including any onboard toilet facility, at all times, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary.
Passengers who wish to smoke during a service stop must disembark and remain at least four metres from the vehicle. Re-boarding while actively smoking is not permitted. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring all Passengers are aware of this requirement and that any passenger who smokes does so in compliance with the four-metre rule. Fines issued to passengers or the driver by police or council enforcement officers for smoking within four metres of the vehicle are the responsibility of the relevant Passenger, and where attributable to a failure of the Hirer to communicate the rule, may be the responsibility of the Hirer.
8. Food, Beverages & Bottled Water
Under Section 52 of the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 (NSW), food and beverages, including hot drinks such as coffee, tea, milkshakes and energy drinks, are prohibited on charter buses. Bottled water is permitted at all times. Medical exceptions permit food or medication for a verified medical reason, which must be declared to the driver at boarding.
On social event services specifically, the following additional points apply:
- Takeaway food, fast food, snacks and confectionery purchased before or during the service may not be consumed on board
- Cups, cans, bottles or containers of any non-water beverage may not be open in the passenger cabin, whether or not the passenger is actively consuming them
- Glass containers of any kind are prohibited on all SCBA vehicles regardless of their contents
- Energy drinks, soft drink cans and similar containers are subject to the no-beverages rule even where they do not contain alcohol
- Catering or food boxes intended for an event must be transported in the luggage hold and may not be opened or sampled in the cabin during transit
9. Sickness, Biohazard & Vehicle Contamination
Sydney Charter Bus Australia strongly recommends that Hirers provide sickness bags for all Passengers on social event services, particularly where a group will have consumed alcohol before boarding for the return journey. Where a Passenger uses a sickness bag that is properly disposed of outside the vehicle with no contamination to surfaces, no additional charge applies.
Where a Passenger vomits on or otherwise contaminates any part of the vehicle, biohazard decontamination is required under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) before the vehicle can return to service. The following charges will be invoiced to the Hirer:
| Type of Contamination | Fee (inc. GST) |
|---|---|
| General mess, food, liquid, soiling above standard post-service clean | From $88 |
| Vomit on floor, aisle or hard surfaces | $350 |
| Vomit on upholstered seat, seat belt or multiple surfaces | $550 |
| Faecal, blood or serious biohazard contamination | Minimum $550, assessed case by case |
Cleaning fees are additional to any loss of revenue where the vehicle cannot return to service immediately following decontamination. SCBA reserves the right to claim reasonable additional compensation for loss of use where decontamination prevents the vehicle from fulfilling a subsequent booking.
10. The Hirer’s Responsibility
The person who confirms and signs the booking (the Hirer) accepts full personal legal and financial responsibility for the conduct of all Passengers throughout the entire service. This responsibility is not transferable to passengers or to SCBA. In practical terms, this means:
| Obligation | What This Requires |
|---|---|
| Pre-event communication | The Hirer must communicate this policy in full to every Passenger before the day of the service. Sharing this page with the group, or summarising the key rules at a pre-event briefing, fulfils this obligation. SCBA cannot be held responsible for a passenger who claims not to have known the rules. |
| On-board presence | The Hirer must be physically present on the vehicle throughout the service, or must nominate in writing before the service an adult representative who is present on the vehicle and is empowered to enforce this policy. The nominated representative assumes the Hirer’s practical (but not legal) responsibility for the duration of the service. |
| Passenger vetting | The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that Passengers are in a suitable condition to board and that their conduct throughout the service is consistent with this policy. Where a Passenger’s condition or behaviour is of concern before boarding, the Hirer should not permit them to board rather than risk service termination for the entire group. |
| Financial liability | The Hirer is financially liable for: all costs arising from this service including cleaning fees, damage costs, fines attributable to illegal passenger behaviour, overtime charges resulting from conduct-related delays, and any other cost that SCBA incurs as a direct consequence of the conduct of the Hirer’s group. SCBA will invoice the Hirer for all such costs following the service. Unpaid amounts are subject to debt recovery. |
| Police and emergency services | Where the driver contacts NSW Police in the course of managing a conduct incident, the Hirer must cooperate fully with police. Any costs incurred by SCBA as a result of police attendance where the conduct was attributable to the Hirer’s group are payable by the Hirer. |
11. Photography, Video & Social Media
| Passenger photography | Personal photography and video for private use is permitted among Passengers who consent to being photographed. No Passenger may photograph or record another Passenger without their consent. Photography or video of the driver’s area, the driver’s person or the driver’s licence and authority card is prohibited. |
| Flashes and strobe lighting | Flash photography directed toward the front of the vehicle or toward the driver’s area while the vehicle is in motion is prohibited. Strobe lights, laser pointers, UV torches and similar devices are prohibited on all SCBA vehicles at all times. |
| Social media | Posting of content to social media platforms depicting behaviour that violates this policy, or depicting SCBA vehicles, drivers or branding in a negative, defamatory or misleading context, will be treated as a conduct matter. SCBA reserves the right to request removal of such content and to take legal action where defamatory or misleading content causes damage to SCBA’s reputation. |
| Livestreaming | Livestreaming from within the vehicle is permitted for personal and group content purposes provided it does not include footage of the driver, does not broadcast the driver’s personal information, and does not create safety hazards through the positioning of devices or the distraction of Passengers. |
12. Service Termination, What Happens & What It Costs
Service termination is an outcome that no one wants and that SCBA takes no pleasure in. When a driver terminates a service, it is because a legal, safety or behavioural threshold has been crossed that leaves no other option. The following governs what happens when a service is terminated for conduct reasons:
| Immediate effect | The driver pulls over at the first safe location and announces the service is terminated. All Passengers must disembark. The driver is not required to transport Passengers to their intended destination. Passengers are responsible for arranging their own transport from the location of termination at their own cost. |
| SCBA notification | The driver immediately contacts SCBA operations management to report the incident. A written incident report is completed within 24 hours. This report forms the basis of any subsequent cost recovery against the Hirer. |
| Police | Where the termination involves physical aggression, illegal substances, threatened or actual violence, or any other criminal conduct, NSW Police will be contacted immediately. SCBA will cooperate fully with any resulting police investigation or prosecution. |
| No refund | No refund of any portion of the booking value will be provided on service termination for conduct reasons. The full booking value remains payable by the Hirer. Where only a deposit has been paid, the remaining balance becomes immediately payable on termination. |
| Future bookings | Sydney Charter Bus Australia reserves the right to decline any future booking from a Hirer whose booking has previously been terminated for conduct reasons, without obligation to provide reasons. |
Policy Quick Reference, Social Event & Group Charter
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✗ Prohibited, No Exceptions
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✓ Permitted, Subject to Conditions
🗍 Hirer Must Do
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NSW Accreditation No. 39461 | Operating Since 2003 | Direct Operator | Professional Group Transport for Social Events Across Sydney
Ph: 1300 468 199 | Mobile: 0413 182 999 | [email protected]
Related Policies & Documents
| › Terms & Conditions of Charter Hire | › All Company Policies | › Pre-Booking Information |
| › Pre-Service Booking Checklist | › Accreditation | › FAQs |
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