General Chat

I've put up a thread "Cornish Newspapers" and the addresses of three Cornish newspapers are now there if anyone wishes to join me in writing a letter

well the very words "public service" should tell people something shouldn't it

Pauline maybe your son in law should send a copy of this to the Minister of Transport and ask his veiws and what would he have done
I was under the impression that all driver of public service vehicles were responsible for the saftey of thier passengers it used to be part of the test for PSV drivers he did the right thing so should hold his head proud the jobs worth people are only there to make up numbers xxHowie

nice one Col - am composing letter in my head as we speak

In fact whats the name of the managing director of the company and the head office address??

Who are they? I've got me pen poised!!!

K

What's the name of the local newspaper in that area? We can all send letters

Perhaps we should all write - after all, this was dispicable behaviour from the bus company to wrte such a letter to the driver.
The local public should be made aware of the kindness and thoughtfulness of the driver, working for such a shower!! And I'm sure the lady involved is grateful not to have been left abandoned on the pavement, it might encourage her to write to the papers and the bus company.

K

I am a Bus Driver and have had this happen to me. As mentioned earlier there is a duty of care. We are fortunate that our company supports us in all such matters. If the driver concerned does not get support from his Union Branch Secretary then he should go to the Regional Organiser.
And if that fails the media is quite a good option !

Sue, I was thinking on those very lines, they could write that they wonder how the lady is now and maybe she would come forward and talk to the newspaper. I hope she is ok.
I think the company have behaved disgracefully and should sack the idiot who wrote the letter to the driver, who is the kind of person we want more of in our society, the good samaritan, not one who passes by on the other side!
Lizx

I'd love to write that letter - let me at it!!!

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Name & shame springs to mind

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

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