What restrictions/rules would you enforce on buses?
I recently returned from a day trip in Newcastle on a Go Northeast bus. I don't live far from the town centre so it was a relatively short trip. Unfortunately at one of the stops a gang of youth ( 11 - 13 year old boys & girls.) boarded.
I was seated with my sister, we are both in our late 30's.
These kids were loud, foul-mouthed and aggressive. They were all wearing similar jackets with a badge/logo like Bayern Munich FC so maybe a school trip or something. No accompanying authority figures.
They would egg each other on with jokes, bravado and a gang mindset. Playing to their audience. There was one particularly loud boy with a foul mouth ( Which I fantasized of shoving a bar of soap in his gob and swishing around to shut him up.)
There was one boy with a faux gold chain around his neck like a proper " Gangsta". I was joking with my sister that I would end up in jail for assault on a minor. Would've given him & his buddies a fat lip.
The thing is, most self-respecting adults do not engage because they know they'd become a target. Drop down to their level and you'd be made a fool of by the leader & his gang. The bus would soon turn into a " The Lord of the Flies" scenario.
Plus they could turn a bit stabby. They were so uncouth that even 2 goth girls moved seats away. At one of the stops a middle-aged man passed us on his way off. Heard him mutter under his breath " C$@ts " he saw us react and briefly stopped to exchange his thoughts.
It would've come to a head with myself and the gang had they stayed aboard longer. I was laughing in the throes of my jokes with my sis that I'm sure I heard one of them proclaim to the others " Oose acting up? "
That was just before they all got off at their stop. Then the bus driver ascended to our top level. Walked all the way to the back and closed the big window after the snotnoses left it open. Shaking his head and hearing our thoughts as he went back down. NOW, I am from Saffa land and I have not been here that long. Can you imagine the reaction of these kids had I opened my mouth in complaint to them. " You don't come to my country and tell me what to do. . ."
This kind of behaviour should not be tolerated. Kids are cocky all over the world and they go through the school of life each on their own. However that does not mean that other people's peace and comfort should suffer as a result.
Apologies for the long post but this is the backstory to my question and more than one answer is definitely feasible.
What restrictions/rules would you enforce on buses?:
I would not allow youth/school kids on a general bus. Dedicated school buses ( If they aren't available already.)
No cellphone calls permitted ( No one wants to listen to your conversation.)
Unless it is an emergency ( How would you police this?)
No playing of media/music from any device unless you wear ear/headphones
Dress code restriction ( Here's looking at the girls who like to flash everyone as they walk up the stairs.)
These are the main ones that come to mind. Yes, to some of you I might sound like a dictator but I can't be the only one.
Posted Jan 27, 2026, 1:58 PM UTC