General Chat

My son-in-law is a bus driver. Last week a lady got on his bus, and as she was paying her fare, she stepped backwards, and actually fell out of the bus onto the pavement, cracking her head in the process. He got out the bus, and realising that she had quite badly injured herself, phoned 999 for an ambulance. He then flagged down the next bus from his company to transfer his passengers over, and stayed with the lady until the paramedics arrived to take over. He had phoned into his depot to advise what was happening.

Yesterday in the post, he got a disciplinary letter from the company warning him about running his route late, and that although he would not have action taken against him this time, there would be a report on his file!!!

What was he supposed to do? Leave the lady there, and drive off? He is absolutely incensed over the matter, and I quite understand why.

PP
xx

Outragous and whilst he probably cant talk to the press but if mother in law did the bus company couldn't do much could they?

Me too, Pauline. I hope he ask the company whether they would rather he had just driven off and left her there. I'm sure any other passengers would have understood the delay and, really, the delays matter more to the passenger than to the company. (No doubt worried about meeting targets.)

There are far too many rules and regulations in this world and not enough common sense.

First thing he should do is speak to his union rep and if he is not a member the union man will advice him any how, the next is to see if he knows or remembers any off the passengers on his route and get statements from them. Sounds like he has a bad boss and or his boss is in trouble for too much lost mileage. If you wish to i can chat with my union guy and see what he suggests. PM me if you want.

How disgusting of his company ....... maybe we ought to print this thread off and send it to his company in his support .............

I would have thought that he was ( apart from tending to his passenger ) looking after the best interests of the Company and as such should be commended for it.No doubt some "Jobsworth" decided differently,perhaps the Senior Management should be informed over the head of the "wally" who sent the Letter.**M**

Just thought has an employee of the company he was surely complying with the legal requirement of 'duty of care' to a customer - really think he needs to escalete it above the head of the jonsworth who sent him the letter

That is awful. He did the right thing at the end of the day and helped the lady in question and I bet she is greatful he did. Lynette xx

Also, as Colin says, regarding "duty of care" I'm sure it would have made a bad impression on all other passengers had he just driven off and left her.

If I saw a bus driver, train driver or whoever else do that, I would be put off using their service.

How ridiculous! You step backwards and fall off the bus!! Of course you should be left there with blood pouring from your head! Timetables must be kept. The buses must run on time.

Which bus company is this? I'll make sure I don't ever use them!

some good advice been given on these posts.
The person who composed the disciplinary letter needs hauling over the coals for this one

Bunny xx

hope it gets sorted,would like to think if it had been me who had fallen I would have been looked after and not abandoned.

I definitely think he should take this to a higher authority if only to ask their advice as to what he should have done in their opinion. Put the ball in their court so to speak.
Was this in Cornwall Pauline?
Ann
glos

Thanks for your views. Yes it did happen in Cornwall, and I am appalled at the company's attitude. I won't name it, although there aren't too many companies in Cornwall operating. It is a national group though (no not National Buses).

I know that my son-in-law has taken it to the union, but I think that the rep is one whose afraid of his own shadow if you get my drift. The phrase "about as useful as a pork pie in a synagogue" comes to mind!!

I wish that the lady concerned could come to his support as I'm sure she would if only she knew. I only know that if I was in the same position, I would be only too pleased that somebody cared enough to help. So far as I can see the duty of care was carried out both to the lady, and the other passengers. I get so cross with all these "jobsworth" prats (I could think of stronger terms believe me!)

If I hear any more on this I'll let you all know.

PP
xx

Name & shame springs to mind

The best way forward is first to seek advice from the union rep, if he is as you say, afraid of his own shadow then take it to the papers. The lady who fell, her family and the other passengers will surely come to his defence.

The letter from the jobsworth reminds me of Stagecoach .
They run most of the buses in Hampshire. If our local bus is early, one driver gets to the end of the estate - after passing all the (empty cos the bus is early) stops and waits - he doesn't want to be too early back!!'

Your son in law is an angel and should be praised!!
maggie

What about further up the union chain? If the rep is no good then there must be someone who is a bit better.
It's unbelievable that this great bloke isn't commended.

appalling behaviour by a jumped up little jobsworth

Rail bosses are no better - my son is a train driver [up North - won't say where - walls have ears and all that] but he was driving a high speed train through a station which was not a stopping point. As he approached the station there was a lad on a bicycle on the station and as he drew level the lad looked him straight in the eye and threw a full can of lager at the windscreen. It shattered one half of the windscreen but he could still see to drive through the other half. Arrived at his home station, reported the incident, citing it as "attempted murder" as he felt the lad intended to kill him or derail the train. Train taken out of service, Transport Police informed. Not one word from his managers - not even mentioned.
I could write a book on things he has told me. A number of years ago he was in every newspaper in the country - he stopped his train on a local line round here and chased after a gang of yobs who were playing chicken on the line. Managed to catch one - all in view of a train load of passengers - got him in his cab, phoned Transport Police to collect him at next station. And what happened next you may ask - Police arrived at son's house and arrest him for assault. Case hung over him for nearly two years and when it finally came to court the judge threw it out in about two minutes. And they say they are worried about vandalism on the railways!!!! Don't make me laugh

don't let me be a threadkiller yet again please!!!

I think someone should write an anonymous letter to the local papers praising the bus driver.

You would have thought the bus company might have been more worried that the lady could sue if she slipped getting on their bus.

Sue