blinking mad bus drivers

Anthillmob

Wig wrote:

I don't see what all the fuss is about. The driver stopped the bus, knew he had done wrong & apologised. What more do you want? You want him to get a ticking off from some manager? why?

If I were you I'd take the issue of "having the buggy face in a particular direction" further and write a letter asking why if there is an issue with safety in this regard, why is it not on display on the buses? Sounds like BS to me anyway if you have it facing in any direction there will always be an occasion where the forces acting on it will be magnified.

Btw no insurance company could argue you had your buggy facing the wrong way, for the simple reason that there are no notices saying anything about it.

the fuss is the fact that the driver was driving like an effing nutter, like most of them on the 157 and 280 routes. i accept the apology of sorts from the controller but the way he tried to turn everything around on me is whats annoying me now. i totally agree with you about not knowing what way to face a buggy because of lack of signs and this is currently getting my goat. (not having a pop at you wig)

Anthillmob

ok so i called the number given to me yesterday and got asked to call another number who then gave me another number and then said theyd get customer services to call me.

funny enough each one i spoke to asked me for a brif on what happened and all said i had the buggy facing the wrong way. the last one saying that the wheels should be facing the way the bus is travelling. which it was but thast depends on what way you want to say the wheels should be pointing. i.e. front ways or rear ways.

i pointed out none of the busses have instructions on how to place buggys.

was pointed out yesterday that those in wheelchairs should really be strapped to the support on the bus. erm by what? there are no straps.

anyways, no return phone call as promised. ive had to point out to everyone ive spoken to today i am not after compo just want the driver to be given a talking to.

watchdog? (probably taking it too far)

LondonDiva

They may not have instructions on how buggys should go, but there are detailed instructions for wheelchairs. As buggys take up wheelchair spaces and basically operate on wheels, I would assume that common sense means that the same instructions re direction & brakes being on would apply.

Anthillmob

brakes were on. i really dont know if i can be arsed with it now

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

arriva busses in shrewsbury the drivers are awfull rude poor drivers ,one got vocal with me in my car high way code give way to busses ,not swerve becouse some foul mouthed yobbo driver just swings out ,i stopped he stopped and the abuse from him started when he thought i was getting out of the car he stopped his foul abuse mmmm,we live in a village not regular bus users granted but wife used them one day the driver was late he took off before she had sat down she told him to be careful he shouted back if you dont like it get off now a real rude type yobbo we complained to arriva who wrote back and said they had spoken to the driver but would like to point out the driver if he perseves you to be confrontational can defend him self by kicking you (becarefull was all she said )of the bus ,i can honestly say there just a bunch of ill mannered yobbos,whos only bit of powere is abusing other road users and the once and only passanger .i suggest they retrain and get a decent job where they use there brains if these muppets have one

Anthillmob

after a lengthy discussion with mr mob i went above them (because they annoyed me for everyone i spoke to trying to lay the blame all 100% on me and then no one calling me back). i emailed TFL who are incharge of this route and cc'd it to the london mayor (seeing as he loves his transport system) and alsco a bcc to watchdog. i informed them in my email of whom its been copied to.

perhaps a bit ott but they've peed me off and im fed up with letting people walk all over me because im a big softy.

Anthillmob

at long last i got a reply :

Dear Ms Tombs

Thank you for your email detailing your experience when travelling on route 157. I am very sorry to hear that you have not received the first class service that we are committed to providing and that you have been let down on more than one occasion.

I was very concerned to learn of the events that you describe. Travelling by bus should be a quick, easy and safe experience for everyone. Drivers are expected to abide by the laws set out in the Road Traffic Act. In failing to do so they put their lives and the lives of their passengers and members of the public at risk. This is not acceptable and I apologise for any distress caused.

You will not be surprised to learn that we expect the very highest standards of driving, courtesy and behaviour from all of our staff. This is this especially true for bus drivers as they are in many ways the face of the organisation. We realise how important it is that our drivers are polite and as helpful as possible and that passengers have smooth, comfortable and safe journeys.

When in control of a bus all drivers should be fully aware of the safety of their passengers. Similarly, any interaction with passengers should be polite and courteous. No excuse can be made for the behaviour of this particular driver. It is shame that the actions of a few irresponsible drivers bring down all the good work carried out by the majority of our drivers on a daily basis.

You will be pleased to know that Travel London have identified the driver in question and interviewed him about this matter. While details of these interviews, and any action resulting, are a confidential matter between employer and employee, please be assured that this matter has been treated very seriously.

I would also like to apologise for the delay in sending you a response. The reason for delaying my response to your comments was to ensure that the driver had been identified prior to contacting you. I wanted to provide you with a satisfactory outcome when I did respond, as this matter is not one to be taken lightly.

Turning now to the other members of staff that you dealt with, it would be helpful it if you could provide further information to assist us, and Travel London, in identifying them. If you have any further details we would be more than happy to pursue this matter for you.


I appreciate you taking the time to bring this important matter to my attention. Please feel free to contact me again if I can be of further help.

Yours sincerely





Louise Duck
Customer Services



unfortunately i didnt get the names of the people i spoke to. my usual stupid fault.

is this an apology? i dont know. they dont seem to be taking any blame really.

looby75

It seems like an apology to me, the few times I've complained to arriva I've only ever received a bog standard it's not our fault letter. They do seem to have taken your complaint pretty seriously....eventually.

Anthillmob

looby75 wrote:

It seems like an apology to me, the few times I've complained to arriva I've only ever received a bog standard it's not our fault letter. They do seem to have taken your complaint pretty seriously....eventually.

i think youre right. i skimmed it but then mr mob read it. it is pretty much a bog standard letter but i suppose the matter is now closed and ive got an apology.

looby75

if nothing else at least you can take satisfaction that at least one person had to work for their wages since you put your complaint in