During a recent visit to Cyprus, a British traveler observed bus drivers implementing strict measures to maintain order and safety on public transportation, a practice he suggests could serve as a model for the United Kingdom. The traveler recounted his experience while taking a bus from Larnaca to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, in June.

At a stop located several blocks from the main station, the traveler and a sizeable group of mostly young passengers waited under 31-degree Celsius conditions. As the bus approached, the driver, who had stepped off the vehicle, immediately instructed passengers to form an orderly queue. Prioritizing older passengers, he invited the traveler, aged 76, along with his wife and daughter, to board first and encouraged them to take seats at the front.

Once the bus began filling, the driver enforced a series of rules to regulate behavior and ensure safety. He prohibited all food and drink except water and required passengers carrying bags or hiking poles to store them in the under-bus compartment. The driver also carefully inspected students’ identity cards, occasionally denying entry to those whose photos did not match or who lacked proper documentation, though some were granted exceptions after appeals.

Additional instructions included a strict ban on mobile phone use during the journey, with immediate ejection from the bus as a consequence for noncompliance. On more than one occasion, the driver stopped the bus to address the use of phones. He maintained a firm yet polite demeanor throughout the journey, resulting in passenger compliance.

The traveler also described an incident where the driver deliberately bypassed potential passengers at a later stop, suggesting a selective boarding process.

Upon returning to Wales, the observer shared the experience with acquaintances familiar with Greek transportation, who explained that many local buses are owner-operated under franchise agreements with bus companies. This system grants drivers significant control over their vehicles and passenger conduct.

The traveler proposed that such an approach, granting drivers greater authority and responsibility, could benefit public transit systems in the UK by addressing issues related to antisocial behavior on buses and trains. Currently, enforcement of conduct rules remains a challenge in many British cities, and adopting a franchise-style model similar to Cyprus may provide a pathway to improved order and safety on public transport.