What is "curbing" in bus operation?

Curbing refers to the act of driving too close to the curb, which is an important aspect of bus operation, especially in urban areas. This practice is crucial for ensuring safe passenger boarding and alighting as well as for maintaining the bus's adherence to its designated route. Proper curbing allows bus operators to bring the vehicle close enough to the edge of the sidewalk so that passengers can safely enter and exit the bus without having to step into the street, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents with other vehicles or pedestrians.

In addition, effective curbing helps optimize the bus's position in relation to other traffic, allowing smoother operation and preventing vehicle congestion. Since urban areas often have limited space for maneuvering, knowing how to curb correctly is essential for bus operators to perform their duties responsibly.

The other options involve actions that do not accurately define "curbing." Stopping at the wrong bus stop addresses a different aspect of route adherence; driving over the speed limit could relate to safety regulations but is not specific to curbing; and operating the bus in reverse is a different driving maneuver entirely, unrelated to how close the bus comes to the curb during regular operations.