Damage charges to school transport

MalMonroe

I agree with toomuchinfo.

The driver has come to you and told you some fairy tale about what your son has done (has he really?) to his vehicle and how much it will cost to repair. 

That driver has not followed the correct procedure, of which he must be aware. He will surely have to be insured to do such a responsible job and I think he's trying it on to try to get money for himself.

Don't let this horrible man bully and blackmail you. This - " Now he is being a little rude to me and my husband, He said he was very disappointed after I spoke to my sons teacher and also mentioned contacting his union rep and now adding his own expenses? (I have no idea what that includes)" - is totally unacceptable. In fact, I'd feel like reporting him to the police, never mind the school, for threatening behaviour. 

Let him contact his union rep. He's not employed by you, it won't affect you in any way whatsoever.

If it's the same as where I live, he's employed by the council. It isn't anything the school can sort. And the council should have insurance to cover any damage of this kind. And if you complain to them, he could lose his job. Trying to extort money from people such as yourselves is a crime.

Please don't pay him. Please do have a word with his employer, who as I say, is probably the council. This is blackmail of the very worst kind.

And also, is there any way your son could switch to another driver? Please ask his escort to wake up! 

His employer should also be requesting a photograph of any alleged damage, as well as a statement from the witness (the unattentive escort). But that isn't for you to worry about, they have to sort it out for you.

MalMonroe

Deleted_User said:

Without knowing the extent of the damage, it's impossible to say for sure, but £250 doesn't seem excessive for replacing or repairing a leather seat.

He's being 'funny' about it because he's worried you're not going to pay for the damage and he knows the longer it drags on, the less likely he will be reimbursed.

Who was the escort you mention that was with your son? What do they have to say about the incident?

But we don't even know if any damage WAS caused. It's only what the driver has said. 

The driver can't be reimbursed by a customer. His employer has to be the council. The driver is trying to extort money he isn't entitled to.

JuzaMum

Wow what a nasty driver! I had a taxi for my autistic daughter and any problems I got went straight onto the council transport department to sort it out. Unfortunately a lot of the drivers don't seem to understand why our able bodied children need transport. Please let us know the outcome. Personally I think the driver should get a warning from his employer at least. Trying to extort money from the family of a disabled child is inexcusable.