A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 16500; Flight Crew Type 1200
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
We departed the gate at ORD cleared to taxi to Runway 32L; Intersection T10 via A; A7; T. While taxiing on A approaching the intersection of A7 we noted a ground vehicle approaching the same intersection. As we continued east toward taxiway A7 the ground vehicle (an employee shuttle bus) suddenly surged out onto the taxiway in an attempt to cross in front of us. I quickly realized that a collision with this vehicle was imminent and very abruptly stopped the aircraft. The bus very abruptly stopped also about one third of the way across the taxiway. Fortunately no cabin crew were injured during the stop.
While taxiing for takeoff at ORD an A320 Captain had to brake abruptly to avoid a collision with an employee shuttle bus crossing the taxiway ahead of them.