What should a bus operator do if the bus breaks down?

When a bus operator encounters a breakdown, the priority must always be passenger safety followed by communication with dispatch. Notifying dispatch ensures that the situation is communicated efficiently to the appropriate authorities who can coordinate assistance, whether it be a maintenance team or a replacement bus.

Ensuring passenger safety involves assessing the situation to confirm the safety of everyone on board, instructing passengers on what to do next, and providing them with information about the expected timeline for assistance. This could involve guiding passengers on how to safely exit the bus if necessary or keeping them informed about what steps are being taken to resolve the situation.

The other choices, while well-intentioned, do not adequately address both the immediate need for assistance and the priority of passenger security. Some may focus too narrowly on either using their own resources or overlooking the necessity of professional assistance that dispatch can provide.