Are passengers permitted to sit in the driver's seating area or operate vehicle controls?

Only the driver may occupy the driver's seat or operate vehicle controls while the bus is in service. Passengers cannot ride in the driver's seat, stand directly behind the driver in a way that interferes with operation, or touch operational controls. Some buses have a barrier (a partition or 'modesty panel') behind the driver's seat to enforce separation; others rely on signage and verbal instruction. The reason: distraction or accidental contact with controls can cause crashes, and the driver's situational awareness depends on an unobstructed view and unrestricted operation. Even friendly passengers leaning forward to chat at the wrong moment can be a safety problem.