On-Road Performance Evaluation Guidelines
RIDE CHECK INSTRUCTIONS
ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION GUIDELINES
1.REQUIRED EQUIPMENT CHECKED PRIOR TO TRIP
A.Valid Driver’s License.
1.Expiration date.
2. Endorsement.
3.Restrictions.
B.Physical Exam card/expiration date.
1. Must be current (original or copy is acceptable)
C.Employee I.D. Badge
D.Watch set to correct time.
E.Current Run Card and Count Sheet.
F.Accident kit.
G.Transfers (Bus & Ferry).
H.Lost and Found Tags.
I.Pre-Trip completed and turned in.
J.Seat belt, No exception – either 1 or 3.
K.Uniform.
1. Wearing proper uniform (per Operator’s Manual).
2. Presents a neat, clean appearance.
a. Uniform must be ironed, creased, etc.
b. Hair, beard, etc. neat and clean.
2.HAND POSITIONS
A.Both hands on wheel.
1.No hand on farebox, in lap or hanging through wheel.
B.Refrains from using spokes.
1.Totally unacceptable.
3.LANE USE
A.Choice of proper lane.
l.Not traveling on shoulder, down double turn lane, etc.
B.Proper position in lane.
1.On left turn they may turn into the outside lane if there is a bus
stop on the corner and as long as they pull all the way out into the
intersection and square the turn into that lane. No sloppy left turns.
C.Avoids unnecessary changes.
l.No passing unless necessary.
2.No driving on shoulder, etc.
D.On left to right lane changes, looks over right shoulder to check blind spot.
E.On right to left lane changes, looks over left shoulder to check blind spot.
4.PROPER USE OF TURN SIGNALS
A.Distance to start signaling for a near side stop or turn is 100’.
B. When pulling from curb should let left turn signal flash several times
before pulling out.
C.Should keep the signal on during the entire maneuver or turn.
D.Signal for all lane changes.
E.Should begin signaling just as they enter the intersection when pulling intofar side stops.
F.Activate four-way flashers 30’ – 50’ prior to coming to a passenger stop.
5.PROPER USE OF MIRRORS
A.Both outside mirrors 5-10 seconds.
B.Always watch mirrors during turns – make sure operator knows where
their coach is in relation to the curb.
C.Properly adjusted before pulling out – not during trip.
D.Should check right mirror – if clear, move right into bus zone.
E.Moves head to get different perspective in mirrors.
6.PROPER USE OF BRAKES
A.One application.
l.One smooth, soft application
2.No jabbing or jerking.
B.Feather in one application, smooth and soft.
C.Reaction to hazards.
l.Slowing down to avoid jamming on brakes at last minute. In other
words, no delayed braking.
2.Tapping horn and covering brake for pedestrians, parked cars,
other coaches, school buses, etc.
D.Do not rollback while starting up a hill.
7.SPEED CONTROL
A.Proper speed for conditions.
1. School zones – 20 mph when children are present.
2.Construction, graveled roads, oiled streets, etc.
B.Proper speed on curves and corners.
1.10 mph on all turns (no more).
2.Do not speed on curves.
C.Complies with posted speed limit.
1.Excessive speed is totally unacceptable.
8.STRAIGHT-A-WAY
A.Proper following distance.
1.Stop-and-go traffic –- Leave a minimum of one and one-half bus lengths 2. Speeds under 40 mph—Leave a minimum of four seconds 3. Speeds over 40 mph --- Leave a minimum of five seconds
4.If someone cuts them off – they must immediately regainfollowing distance.
B.Properly merging into traffic.
1.Observing; checking mirrors for traffic behind, looking ahead to monitor.
2.Proper signaling.
3.Speed control.
4.Cancels signal at least 3 seconds after vehicle enters lane.
C.Exiting highways.
1.Proper signaling.
2.Proper lane change.
3.Speed control.
4.Cancels signal after leaving highway
9.RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS
A.Approach – correct lane – signal 100’ ahead of time.
1.No changing lanes at last minute.
2.See PROPER USE OF TURN SIGNALS.
B.Turns smoothly; should not be a jerky turn, see SPEED CONTROL.
C.Curb spacing – protects pocket; consider type of turn.
1.No hitting curb.
D.Should be about 2-4’ from curb when beginning right turn.
E.Completion – correct lane (see LANE USE – B, PROPER USE OF MIRRORS – B).
F.No more than 10 mph.
10.INTERSECTIONS
A.Approach with foot over brake (blind intersection).
B.Preparation for stale green light; no running yellow light. Do they prepare for red
light ahead of time.
C.Observes the two-second rule.
1.Before entering the intersection after a red light has turned to green.
2.Before following another vehicle.
3.Before pulling from bus zone.
D.Looks left-right-left, especially at 4-way stops, unmarked intersections and when
going through a fresh green light.
E.Moves head to look around blind spots before moving through intersection after light
turns green.
F.Correct response to traffic control.
1.Complete stop at stop signs.
2.Proper stops and starts at 4-way intersections.
3.Prepares for upcoming red light.
4.Proper response at all intersections.
G.Determines traffic and pedestrians’ intentions.
1.Reading the road ahead for hazards.
2.Reaction to possible hazard.
H.Proper spacing after a complete stop.
1.Should be 6-8’ behind vehicle to prevent backing up if vehicle ahead should stall.
2.Should not be so far back, that a small car or motorcycle can cut in front of them.
I.Follows all current policy and procedures in the use of Opticom.
11.PASSENGERS – BOARD AND ALIGHT
A.Approach – choice of stop.
l.Courtesy stop – is it a safe stop?
B.Smoothness of stop (see braking habits).
C.Position after stop – parallel to curb or out in lane – preferably not nose to
the curb and tail out in lane.
D.Wheelchair procedure – working knowledge (if applicable).
E.Use of mirrors and signals – special emphasis on watching right mirror,
door when pulling away from zone – THIS IS A MUST!
F.Waits for passengers to be seated/secure.
l.Able-bodied persons have a hand grasp on something (especially
people carrying things).
2.Seniors/disabled are seated before pulling out of zone.
G.Announces departures from transfer centers
H.Proper re-entry to traffic; checks left mirror and looks over left shoulder,
checks blind spots, waits for traffic to pass, does not cut other vehicles off, etc.
I.Smooth acceleration (see Proper use of accelerator).
l.Doesn’t throw people or make them stumble, etc.
12.MANETTE CROSSING
A.Stops at the entrance of bridge, if clearance is a problem.
B.Uses 4-ways.
C.Proceeds at a slow speed. (15 mph mid span)
13.COURTESY TO PASSENGERS AND PUBLIC
A.Greets passengers – polite or rude.
B.Responsive to inquiries, i.e., tone of voice and body language.
C.Courtesy to other motorists.
1.No tailgating.
D.Follows proper radio procedures.
E.Collects proper fare.
F.Makes internal ADAannouncements
1.Departure announcements, includes route number
2.Sufficient Volume
3.Requested Stops, Transfer Points, Points of Interest
4.Route and direction of travel at intervals
5.Adheres to call list on left/Rights
G.Makes external ADAannouncements of route number and direction of travel
1.Departure announcements, include route number
2.At Transfer Centers
3.Stops Serviced by more than one route
4.Uses PA (if equipped) or can be heard outside the bus in the immediate area.
14.BACKING
A.Checks mirrors
B.Slow speed
C.Uses 4-ways and horn.
15.NON-DRIVING DUTIES
A.Displays proper attitude toward job responsibilities.
B.Knows proper procedure.
C.Conducts post-trip inspection.
D.Locates and tags any lost & found articles and turns them in.
16. FUEL ECONOMY
A. No jackrabbit starts, smooth acceleration without “pedal to the metal”.
B.Adheres to the 5 minute shutdown policy to help conserve fuel and reduce emissions.
C. Anticipates lights and decelerates, slows down instead of braking.
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Revised 03/05/09