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Community Rules

Welcome to North East Buses, a free community space where bus enthusiasts, travelers, and residents can discuss all things related to bus services in the North East of the UK. To ensure everyone can participate in a safe, friendly, and constructive environment, please adhere to the following rules. These rules are designed to foster a respectful and enjoyable experience for all users, regardless of their background or experience level.



1. Respectful and Civil Behavior

Be respectful: Treat all members with kindness and respect. Disagreements are okay, but personal attacks, insults, and offensive language will not be tolerated.

No hate speech or discrimination: Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited.

Keep discussions civil: Engage in constructive, courteous discussions. Bullying, harassment, or any form of disruptive behavior is not allowed.



2. Relevance to the Forum Topic

Stay on topic: Posts should be related to buses, bus services, routes, schedules, infrastructure, and transportation in the North East of the UK. Off-topic posts will be removed.

Avoid spam: Promotional posts, including advertisements, self-promotion, and spam, are not permitted. This forum is a space for discussion, not marketing.

Events and services: You may share information about bus-related events, services, or community initiatives, as long as it is relevant to the forum and follows the guidelines.



3. No Harmful or Offensive Content

Offensive language and images: Posts containing profanity, explicit language, offensive images, or inappropriate content will be removed.

Violence and illegal activities: Promoting or encouraging violence, harm to others, or illegal activities (such as fare evasion, vandalism, etc.) is prohibited.

Sensitive content warnings: If discussing potentially sensitive topics (e.g., accidents, delays, or disruptions), please include a warning and be mindful of the language used.



4. Protecting Privacy

No personal information: Do not share your or others’ personal information, including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or private details without consent.

Respect others’ privacy: Always respect the privacy of fellow forum members. Do not share private conversations or messages without permission.



5. Quality of Content

Be constructive: Please post meaningful, thoughtful contributions. Avoid one-liner posts or irrelevant comments that don't add value to the discussion.

Clear and legible posts: Try to write in clear, readable language. Avoid excessive use of capital letters (which can appear like shouting) and use proper punctuation and grammar where possible.

Use relevant images: If posting images, ensure they are relevant to the topic and comply with copyright regulations. Images of poor quality or unrelated to the subject may be removed.



6. Moderation and Reporting

Respect moderators: Moderators are here to ensure the community remains safe and enjoyable for everyone. Please respect their decisions.

Report violations: If you see any posts that violate the forum rules, use the report function to alert the moderators. We rely on community help to maintain a healthy forum.

Appeals process: If you believe a post was wrongly removed or action was taken in error, you can appeal by contacting a moderator or forum administrator directly.



7. No Misinformation

Accuracy matters: Please ensure that any information you share is accurate and up-to-date. Misinformation, especially related to bus schedules, routes, or services, can cause confusion and inconvenience to other users.

Use credible sources: When sharing information, provide credible sources, especially for important announcements, changes to routes, or timetables.



8. Respect for Age Groups

Child-friendly: The forum is intended to be a space for users of all ages. Avoid using inappropriate language or discussing adult topics. Content should be suitable for minors, unless otherwise specified in private areas.

No predatory behavior: Do not attempt to engage with minors or vulnerable members in any harmful or inappropriate way. The forum is committed to the safety and well-being of all users.



9. Content Moderation and Consequences

Warnings and bans: Repeated violations of these rules may lead to warnings, temporary suspensions, or a permanent ban from the forum, depending on the severity of the infraction.

Moderation policy: Moderators reserve the right to remove posts, suspend users, or ban members who violate forum rules. These decisions are made in the best interest of the community.



10. Forum Etiquette

Use search before posting: Before starting a new discussion, please use the search feature to see if the topic has already been addressed.

Thread hijacking: Stay on topic in discussions. Avoid diverting the conversation to unrelated subjects.

Use appropriate sub-forums: Post in the most relevant sub-forum or topic area. This helps keep discussions organized and easy to follow.



11. Compliance with the UK Online Safety Act 2025

Safeguarding: This forum is committed to complying with the UK Online Safety Act 2025. Content that is harmful to children or vulnerable users will be removed, and action will be taken against those who violate safety guidelines.

Content moderation: Automated tools and human moderators will ensure content complies with the Online Safety Act and forum rules. Any content found to violate these standards will be swiftly removed.



Final Note:

By participating on North East Buses, you agree to these rules and understand that they are in place to create a safe, engaging, and enjoyable space for everyone interested in bus services in the North East. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your contributions to the community!

If you have any questions or concerns about these rules, please feel free to reach out to the forum administrators. Thank you for being a part of our community!