Racist incident from a bus driver in Glasgow- what to do?

Kim_13

It’ll be the mocking faces that’ll have felt racist - what other reason could there be? If there was a problem with the ID, he should have asked for an alternative photo ID in the same name (a driving licence for example - most students have a provisional for proof of age even if they’ve never driven, as it’s less of a problem if it’s lost than a passport), or asked the OP to pay a full fare or leave the bus. There was no need for him to do anything else. I imagine the CCTV doesn’t capture the driver’s face though and that’s why they believe him. The CCTV is no doubt there in case drunks turn violent, someone damages the bus etc, not for the protection of passengers per se (though if one passenger had a complaint against another passenger, it would probably be captured due to how the cameras are sited.)

I’m guessing there’ll be a refund policy on the travel card which means it is not conducive to switching to an alternative method of travel ahead of expiration. In which case it is important that they are made aware that what was stated in their response was false - you did not confirm that it was not your ID because it IS your ID. You could politely suggest that they might have got your complaint mixed up with someone else’s who was guilty of trying to fraudulently use a card. If the record is not corrected you might be on an internal list and find that other drivers automatically refuse because they think you were using someone else’s ID.

Perhaps try the local MPs surgery - their staff should be able to see that the ID is yours and go back to the bus company on your behalf.

elsien

The CCTV doesn’t need to show the driver’s face. It just needs to show that the OP did indeed present several forms of ID, which were still ignored.

krissy08

Pollycat said:

I too would contact the bus company and clearly state what happened, being clear that you did not, at any time, show any ID that did not belong to you.

Unfortunately I think you have just muddied the waters by claiming racism when there doesn't appear to have been any racism.

I have never accused anyone of racism - this is the first clear case of this. Again (a bit like the McGills investigator, some elements of my initial post have been simply ignored. To be honest I was quote shocked by his behaviour-
He had driven past me in the past when I was clearly in the bus stop wait ing at the allocated time for the bus. He looked me dead in the eye slowed down and then pulled away- I wrote that off as a mad moment 
Then on this occasion- he was making mocking faces at me as he said the id was not mine - again - he did not look at the card as I held it out to him.

I am sure if you have never faced this , it is very hard to believe there are people out there with hatred in their hearts and I did really struggle putting this on the forum or even taking further action but off it helps one person to feel heard.I am happy with my decision. This individual does not know me - why would he make mocking 'crying' faces at me while not looking past the Id???

krissy08

baser999 said:

Clearly the driver had an issue with the ID that OP produced which sadly OP seems to be turning into one of racism. If OP had been white, would they have adopted the same stance? Can’t see any evidence in their post that beyond refusing their ID there was any form of racism

Again- while I appreciate all replies , my report is simply not believed. I love the idea of the CCTV hopefully it is detailed enough to show , this individual is of the minority but very much someone that should concern us all ... he never looked at the ID. I was looking right at him

_Penny_Dreadful

@krissy08 can i just check that when you’re waiting at the bus stop do you put your hand out when the bus comes to signal that you want to get on? In Glasgow you have to hail the bus, it’s not enough just to be at the stop. 

krissy08

_Penny_Dreadful said:

@krissy08 can i just check that when you’re waiting at the bus stop do you put your hand out when the bus comes to signal that you want to get on? In Glasgow you have to hail the bus, it’s not enough just to be at the stop. 

This is a great  question - yes as I take this route I am well aware of this so I made sure I was seen clearly and he did initially slow but pulled away. It's the same guy - the only one who has ever done this. every other driver has been lovely

sheramber

krissy08 said:

Pollycat said:

I too would contact the bus company and clearly state what happened, being clear that you did not, at any time, show any ID that did not belong to you.

Unfortunately I think you have just muddied the waters by claiming racism when there doesn't appear to have been any racism.

I have never accused anyone of racism - this is the first clear case of this. Again (a bit like the McGills investigator, some elements of my initial post have been simply ignored. To be honest I was quote shocked by his behaviour-
He had driven past me in the past when I was clearly in the bus stop wait ing at the allocated time for the bus. He looked me dead in the eye slowed down and then pulled away- I wrote that off as a mad moment 
Then on this occasion- he was making mocking faces at me as he said the id was not mine - again - he did not look at the card as I held it out to him.

I am sure if you have never faced this , it is very hard to believe there are people out there with hatred in their hearts and I did really struggle putting this on the forum or even taking further action but off it helps one person to feel heard.I am happy with my decision. This individual does not know me - why would he make mocking 'crying' faces at me while not looking past the Id???

I have never accused anyone of racism 

I think Pollycat is referring to your current claim that it was racism- as in the title of the thread.

_Penny_Dreadful

krissy08 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

@krissy08 can i just check that when you’re waiting at the bus stop do you put your hand out when the bus comes to signal that you want to get on? In Glasgow you have to hail the bus, it’s not enough just to be at the stop. 

This is a great  question - yes as I take this route I am well aware of this so I made sure I was seen clearly and he did initially slow but pulled away. It's the same guy - the only one who has ever done this. every other driver has been lovely

Thanks. There’s no (acceptable) reason for the bus not to have stopped then. 

LightFlare

krissy08 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

@krissy08 can i just check that when you’re waiting at the bus stop do you put your hand out when the bus comes to signal that you want to get on? In Glasgow you have to hail the bus, it’s not enough just to be at the stop. 

This is a great  question - yes as I take this route I am well aware of this so I made sure I was seen clearly and he did initially slow but pulled away. It's the same guy - the only one who has ever done this. every other driver has been lovely

OP didn’t actually answer the question.

Perhaps their method of “making sure I was seen clearly” was not perceived in the same way by the driver.

Pollycat

LightFlare said:

krissy08 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

@krissy08 can i just check that when you’re waiting at the bus stop do you put your hand out when the bus comes to signal that you want to get on? In Glasgow you have to hail the bus, it’s not enough just to be at the stop. 

This is a great  question - yes as I take this route I am well aware of this so I made sure I was seen clearly and he did initially slow but pulled away. It's the same guy - the only one who has ever done this. every other driver has been lovely

OP didn’t actually answer the question.

Perhaps their method of “making sure I was seen clearly” was not perceived in the same way by the driver.

Yes, this is possible especially if the bus stop serves a number of different services.
Maybe the OP did signal that she wanted the bus but maybe put her hand down (if that is how she stops buses) before the bus arrives and the driver thought she no longer wanted that particular bus.

I catch a bus at a stop where there are 3 buses in a short space of time (i.e 4 minutes).
I have to ensure that my bus driver knows that it is their bus that I want.
It's even harder when a bus that I don't want is at the stop and my bus comes along just after. I have to make sure I'm in a position where the driver can see me and is sure that I want them to stop.