I spoke to a few people earlier in the week about this shocking incident in which I was asked the directions by a bus driver. I thought about writing a letter and decided to do so, for the benefit of those who asked, here is my draft: -
Dear Sirs,
On Wednesday 14th December, I boarded the number 20 bus at Waterdale Gardens at its correct time (this is the 0730 from Westbury Canford Cemetery). I was horrified to find the driver of the double-decker asking me which way to turn at the top of the road.
I asked him what he meant and he told me that after 6 years working for the company, he had never been put on that route before. I find this extremely unsettling that you should supply a driver by himself on a bus that traditionally carries many people, with the majority being school children.
Whilst I was happy to volunteer for the thirty minute journey to stand at the front and direct the driver, I am extremely concerned that he should be asking a sixteen-year-old for directions. Whilst I directed him the correct way, there is a high chance that someone else could have sent him down the wrong road, causing inconvenience for your customers and also possible danger for those on board if the bus was sent down a road unsuitable for high, wide or long vehicles.
This is not a complaint at the driver, who in my opinion was one of the best I have ever experienced, but at your appaling rostering procedure which could put passengers' lives at danger if an incident had happenned.
I would like your assurances that such a thing will never happen again on any of your services across the city and also an apology for what happenned as I feel it totally unacceptable.
I would also like to advise you that I reserve the right to display your reply to myself in any media that I feel necessary. If you deny me that right, or I feel your reply is unacceptable, I will not hesitate to contact the regional Traffic Commissioner, who I am sure will be shocked at such sloppy standards and will no doubt impose yet more penalties on your company.
Thank you,
What do you all think?
Dear Sirs,
On Wednesday 14th December, I boarded the number 20 bus at Waterdale Gardens at its correct time (this is the 0730 from Westbury Canford Cemetery). I was horrified to find the driver of the double-decker asking me which way to turn at the top of the road.
I asked him what he meant and he told me that after 6 years working for the company, he had never been put on that route before. I find this extremely unsettling that you should supply a driver by himself on a bus that traditionally carries many people, with the majority being school children.
Whilst I was happy to volunteer for the thirty minute journey to stand at the front and direct the driver, I am extremely concerned that he should be asking a sixteen-year-old for directions. Whilst I directed him the correct way, there is a high chance that someone else could have sent him down the wrong road, causing inconvenience for your customers and also possible danger for those on board if the bus was sent down a road unsuitable for high, wide or long vehicles.
This is not a complaint at the driver, who in my opinion was one of the best I have ever experienced, but at your appaling rostering procedure which could put passengers' lives at danger if an incident had happenned.
I would like your assurances that such a thing will never happen again on any of your services across the city and also an apology for what happenned as I feel it totally unacceptable.
I would also like to advise you that I reserve the right to display your reply to myself in any media that I feel necessary. If you deny me that right, or I feel your reply is unacceptable, I will not hesitate to contact the regional Traffic Commissioner, who I am sure will be shocked at such sloppy standards and will no doubt impose yet more penalties on your company.
Thank you,
What do you all think?