Rules for catching a public bus

You are not allowed to advertise or promote any function, event or affiliation at any bus interchange, bus stop or shelter without the permission of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.

This includes any of the following:

• posting any flyers or notices on any walls or other surfaces in or around buildings, bus stops or shelters or other like structures
• handing out of any such material
• approach another person for the purpose of advertising or promoting an event.

Paid advertising opportunities are now available on the exterior of Darwin public buses. For all advertising enquiries and feedback contact Go Transit on 1300 468 726.

People who are violent, disturbing the peace, likely to cause annoyance to other passengers or damage the bus (as determined by the driver) will be refused travel.

You must behave calmly and politely.

You can find out more about respecting your driver on the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

To travel on buses in the Northern Territory with a folded bike, you must be able to store your bike in either:

• the luggage rack
• or on the floor in a place that is not obstructing aisles or exits and does not pose a danger or inconvenience to passengers.

Conventional bikes are not allowed on buses.

You can lock your bike in a secure enclosure at selected bus interchanges.

Busking is not allowed on buses or at any bus stop, shelter or interchange.

You must be 18 years and over to legally possess, throw, ignite or explode fireworks.

If you are carrying fireworks on a public bus they must be in their original shop packaging.

You cannot carry commercial quantities or individual fireworks on buses.

You can only use fireworks on 1 July between 6pm and 11pm.

It is illegal to keep fireworks in your possession outside of the approved periods.

Unused fireworks must be handed in to NT Worksafe by 12noon 2 July. You can find information about disposing of fireworks on the NT Worksafe website.

You must not make disruptive or excessive noise that might distract the driver.

This includes playing musical instruments or audio from devices such as mobile phones.

The use of headphones is permitted.

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is not allowed on buses and at bus stops and interchanges.

Read about smoke-free public transport areas.

Passengers are allowed to stand on all public bus routes and on school bus routes where the bus is not fitted with seat belts.

You must not stand on:

• seats
• bus steps
• parts of the bus that aren't for passenger use.

Bus drivers must stop at all bus stops where they can see a potential passenger at or near the bus stop.

Passengers who are approaching a bus stop should hail or signal to the driver their intention to board. The driver must stop providing that the bus is able to stop safely and the person is sufficiently close to the bus stop that their boarding will not cause unnecessary delay.

Read the policy for more information.

Stopping at bus stops policy PDF (152.4 KB)
Stopping at bus stops policy DOCX (178.4 KB)

If you are buying a paper ticket on the bus, you should ensure you have close to the correct fare.

Drivers do not always have the ability to change large notes. Find out more about bus tickets and fares.