Melbourne bus driver caught reading newspaper while driving

A bus driver is in hot water after being caught apparently reading a newspaper while negotiating traffic on a busy road in Melbourne's north-east.

The bus was carrying several passengers and travelling along busy Manningham Road, in Doncaster, when the driver's dangerous behaviour was filmed at around 3pm.

Ventura Bus general manager Ron Hamilton has vowed to immediately investigate after seeing the footage, obtained exclusively by 7News.

"As soon as we've identified the driver, we'd obviously interview him and then make a decision as to where we go from there," he told 7News reporter Emily Angwin.

Security vision from inside the bus will also help with the investigation, which could see the driver charged with failure to have proper control of his vehicle.

It is an impoundable offence, and he could be fined $700.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Tony Martin described the driver's actions as 'disturbing'.

"I think if I'd been on that bus with the bus driver distracted in that manner, I really wouldn't feel safe myself," he said.

"Whether you're driving a car, or a bus, or a taxi, you need to be paying an appropriate level of attention."

Mr Hamilton has insisted anyone using the company's buses can rest assured they are in safe hands.

"Ninety nine per cent are very responsible bus drivers and wouldn't do such a thing," he said. "I'm confident the public have nothing to worry about here."