Initial problem
I would like to report the rude behaviour of a number of bus drivers I have come across recently on the unibus route.
This morning I did not have the correct change, and in turn the bus driver was incredibly rude to me and lied that he did not have change and tried to turn me away until he eventually gave in and gave me my bus tickets. Other events that have also happened today include a bus driving pulling me back and snatching my ticket from me, accusing me of having an out of date bus ticket before he had even checked it. The treatment of students by bus drivers in unacceptable, especially considering the amount of money we as a group give to the bus company. I would like to see bus drivers treat us a little better than they already do, because I and others have received unacceptable behaviour from drivers many times before this as well.
Posted
- By Sarah Ticho on 06 Feb 2012
- Sent to Stagecoach in East Kent on 06 Feb 2012
Updates
Update-
1
Dave H added an update
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16:08 07 Feb 2012
Most sensible bus operator have a protocol for situations where no change is available the ticket machine can issue a credit note to the value of the change required which can be redeemed for the cash from a bus company shop or when change is available, or against the purchase of the next ticket.
The ticket should identify the driver bus and ticket machine but you are entitled to ask for their licence number (it used to be a legal requirement to wear a badge with the number on).
Most modern buses have CCTV so it is important to get clear details of the time and bus number and act quickly to get the video downloaded before it overwrites (after 7-14 days). If there is a complaint about driving or worse than the bus depot should be told to secure the footage - see following.
However being pulled back sounds as if it could be classed as an assault, although as always there are two sides to every story - was this a physical and forceful action to grab you and pull you without any request to stop and return? Have you witnesses? It may be worth asking your Union for some legal advice.
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2
Sarah Ticho added an update
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18:05 07 Feb 2012
It wasn't that the driver had any change, it was that he pretended he did not have any, and then eventually gave up when I refused to get off the bus.
I was alone, so I don't have any witnesses to the event, but I was forcefully pulled back. However don't feel the need to take this any further, I simply would like the company to address their employees on their behaviour towards the public.
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3
Peter Dixon added an update
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16:33 12 Feb 2012
Hello Sarah
You are quite correct to raise these issues. My advice would be for you to keep logging any issues that you encounter whilst using these services through FixMyTransport with the time, location and service it happened on to enable the bus company to target any training towards particular drivers.
Kind regards
FixMyTransport volunteer
anorakadmin -
4
Peter Dixon added an update
close
16:33 12 Feb 2012
Hello Sarah
You are quite correct to raise these issues. My advice would be for you to keep logging any issues that you encounter whilst using these services through FixMyTransport with the time, location and service it happened on to enable the bus company to target any training towards particular drivers.
Kind regards
FixMyTransport volunteer
anorakadmin