Well, what a great start to the day...
Got on the 86 this morning, and this is the exact conversation:
I show my pass
Driver mumbles to himself and I could have sworn he called me dumb but I wasn't 100% sure.
I sit down for the whole journey and they decide to confront him with the problem:
Do you kniow when I got on, was there a problem with my pass?
Driver: You wanna watch your f***** teeth mate as you're gonna see a dentist if you don't get off now. I'm going to Firth Park so we can have a chat there if you like
Me: ( and I do know I shouldn't have answered) I should scratch you're f***** eyes out
As I get off he starts sayin that we should have a good scrap at the terminus
Then 2 other passenger come up to me and ask me if the bus driver had been rude to me as he'd been rude to them callin them ar**holes... We took each other names and they're going to phone first and write a letter of complaint too.
I still can't believe it. This was someone who was supposed to provide a service and on every bus you get on you see that the bus drivers are entitiled to work without fear of assault or intimidation...:loopy:

He should be sacked.

It's drivers like that what turn the public against the good ones. I think First bus are desperate and take anyone on.

Although from what Ive heard the arse hole ones seem to be concentrated on certain routes such as the 8x series.

Grumpy bus drivers fair enough... But him, no way is he getting away with it. It really was a horrible experience.

Makes my experience of waiting 20 minutes whilst watching 3 buses go up to the Walkley terminus seem pleasant.

Go and shop the beggar and get him fired. He deserves it.

I have no idea what's suddenly gotten in to First. I've been using the buses more this week as I've had a lot on, and they've been dire.

In teh end I caught the YTR 123 - much more civilised driver.

Joe

That is bang out of order... I cant believe someone who is supposedly providing a professional service for the public could be so rude… This matter should definitively be taken further… Did you manage to get the drivers name if not maybe the number plate or taken a note of the time? This is so the people at the depot can find out who was driving that bus at that particular time…

From the Drivers behaviour I would say that he was maybe a youngster? Or there again could have been an older guy not liking the youth of today?

Which ever its he doesn’t have the right to speak to passengers in that way… Let us know the out come… Hope your ok :)

Originally posted by JoePritchard
Makes my experience of waiting 20 minutes whilst watching 3 buses go up to the Walkley terminus seem pleasant.

Go and shop the beggar and get him fired. He deserves it.

I have no idea what's suddenly gotten in to First. I've been using the buses more this week as I've had a lot on, and they've been dire.

In teh end I caught the YTR 123 - much more civilised driver.

Joe

I noticed on the back of a bus the other day an advert for more people to join their force... Makes you wonder!

I always thought it was the kids that caused the trouble... Now its the drivers... :?

This is the sort of attitude that gets the bus drivers in this area a bad name and I dont condone this at all but remember not all the staff are like that. I wonder if this these problems are confined to this area or nationwide?

Thank you all for your support. I did note the time, where I caught the bus from , and the bus number that's all!! It should be enough. Besides, the 2 other passengers that suffered abuse from the driver are writing a letter of complaint too.
I don't think anything will be done though...:)

this crettin wants reporting a.s.a.p. dont let him get away with it he will do it to more people if not . and end up getting some 1 in to trouble . because i dont think they will take your side if the other people on the bus stick by you then it will all work out well i hope what a nitemare for you season of good will ha ha !! best of luck get the crettin fired and quick best regards steve ...

Do First actually interview people before they get the job or what?? i mean the guy had a serious attitude problem... Makes you wonder

Well my interview was very easy,more like a chat. any idiot could pass it and usally do.

Opps ive started Bus Driver bashing now.

Its a shame that a few bad apples ruin it for the rest of us.

Oh my God. That's dreadful! I never ever catch buses, when I used to there were never problems like this. I've never bothered reading the bus threads as I didn't feel like I could contribute as I don't catch buses, but this is disgraceful. I'd have asked for his name and hopefully that would have calmed him down a bit.

We all have bad days but there's no need for that!!!

Out of interest, how was his driving? Was it erratic? Any possibility that he could have been drinking or on drugs?

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Out of interest, how was his driving? Was it erratic? ?

Sadly CR that won't narrow it down.. 80% of them are like that :suspect:

Sorry to hear about this sony..

if a bus driver gets threatened they are always the 1st to whinge about they ain't paid for this abuse :roll:

Goodness me! Maybe the guy is related to John Prescott. That really is a remarkable way of carrying on, isn't it? Maybe there should be awards for the toppest bad behaviour on the buses? Perhaps we could call it a Blakey...

That's a very unjustified slur on John Prescott!

Ooh I don't know... aggressive, unpleasant and pugilistically-inclined? That'll be Prezza to a tee. But then it's David 'nanny state' Blunkett who'se the hectoring New Labour bully in the stocks at the moment, I note with pleasure.

This is the letter which me & the 2 other passengers have written:

South Yorkshire Passenger Executive PO Box 801 Exchange Street Sheffield S2 5YT Fax. 0114 275 9908 Stephen Road Ecclesall Sheffield S11 Mob774 335 Tel. 9581

FAO: Julie Revell

16 December 2004

Dear Sir/Madam

Formal Complaint Regarding the Bus Driver of Service 86, Vehicle Number 60482, Boarded 8:15 am, Rustlings Road, Thursday 16 December 2004.

I am writing to lodge a formal complaint in respect of the above bus driver.

This morning as usual my partner and I waited for the number 86 bus at the Rustlings Road stop. It was lightly raining and as such we remained under the shelter as we saw the bus approaching. We looked up towards the bus during our conversation and noticed the bus driver making aggressive gestures with his hands. We had no idea of the reason for this but assumed it was likely to be with reference to the traffic, which was very slow-moving.

Upon boarding the bus the driver stated in an aggressive manner that he had stopped 6 yards away from the stand as a ‘favour’ to a female passenger who had joined our stop unnoticed by us, and that we should have boarded with her. I replied that I had not seen this happen and pointed out that we were waiting for the bus at the correct location. To this the bus driver said ‘you should get new glasses if you can’t see what’s going on in front of your face’. I asked him to repeat this comment as I was so astonished by it, at which point he shouted ‘****ing arsehole’ after me.

At this stage I was angry and offended by his attitude and behaviour, especially as the bus had several passengers who had witnessed the incident and I had intended to telephone my complaint to you. However, when alighting outside Coopland’s on Arundel Gate in the City Centre I was astounded to witness a similar incident between the bus driver and another male passenger and it is because of this that I felt a written complaint would better convey the seriousness of the attacks.

The passenger, K, calmly asked the bus driver to repeat his previous comments. The driver replied in an extremely rude manner that he would discuss the matter when he reached Firth Park. Mr K again asked the bus driver to repeat his comments at which point the driver stood up threateningly and said ‘you should get your ****ing teeth sorted out’ when I've finished with you
My girlfriend and I travel on 4 separate First Mainline buses each, per day, travelling to and from work and we have never witnessed such appalling displays of behaviour. Not only did we both feel humiliated in front of the other passengers but I also felt offended, threatened and in danger of the driver’s actions. As a Retail Manager I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would be putting my job in serious jeopardy if I ever instigated such an incident with one of my customers.

Mr K, 077 has given permission for his number to be passed on to you and my partner, Kate Marston can be contacted on 07 should you require any further statements.

I wish this complaint to be taken very seriously. If I do not receive any response from you I shall be seeking legal advice.

Yours sincerely




Stephen

Hiya,

Sorry to here about this Stephan, that letter seems fair.

I would expect kids in a secondary school to say that to each other, but not professional bus drivers.

I hope you get this sorted out.

Seems a reasonable letter. I would send it to First South Yorkshire though, not just the Transport Executive (if the service is run commercially by First then SYPTE has no say. However generally you are more likely to get a response from First if the PTE is copied in.

So am I right to assume the whole thing was started by you refusing to get on the bus unless it pulled up right to the exact point you were standing?

Originally posted by Andy C
So am I right to assume the whole thing was started by you refusing to get on the bus unless it pulled up right to the exact point you were standing?


Thats incorrect. I was at the bus stop and showed my pass as I got on the bus just as every other day.
The 2 other passengers were slightly away from the bus stop. Still whatever they did it should never have started all this.

Originally posted by Sony
Thats incorrect. I was at the bus stop and showed my pass as I got on the bus just as every other day.
The 2 other passengers were slightly away from the bus stop. Still whatever they did it should never have started all this.

Sorry, couldn't resist stirring there! Even if it was the case then the driver should not be behaving in such a threatening manner. Maybe have a brief moan at you then make a joke of it perhaps, but not offer to fight you at the terminus!

However that bit in the letter did remind me of one of my pet hates when I travel by bus - when the bus is late, traffic fairly bad, and the bus pulls into the bus stop a short way back from the stand because of another bus infront or traffic, and some passengers do walk down to the bus and get on, but some delay the bus by insisiting on waiting for the bus to set off and then flag it down, because they couldn't be arsed to walk a few yards to get on. I'm sure in your example this was not the case through, reading the letter...

at the minute im well p*****d off with the whole first company!!

they make false claims that thei rbusses come every 6 mins which they dont! more like every 20 mins!

the bus driver drivers know they are late and know youve been waiting for about 20 mins and are still arsey about the fact that you complain that they are late.

i got on 52 bus a few days ago which was the first one in 20 mins, when i should have seen one every 6 mins, so i pointed it out to the driver and he went "so nowt i can do about it!" i told him yes there is you should actually get your arse in gear and sort your organisation out!" i knew he wouldnt do it but i felt better and i didnt think about being cold and wet when i got on the bus.

but at the minute i praise the YORKSHIRE TERRIER SERVICES!!

Hello, i feel your anger sony, i have had problems with bus drivers in the past. I try to give them a break, driving for long shifts, in busy difficult driving conditions, and several passengers can be complete arses.

But a couple of weeks ago me and my friends had been at uni and went to the bus stop by virgin to catch an 80 bus down ecclesall road. All my friend had was a ten pound note, and when she tried to buy her ticket she was told he hadn't the change for her.
Fair enough i thought, £8.90 is a bit much for a bus driver to be giving out. But when i stepped in to buy both our tickets with a five pound note and the 20p needed for my change to be just 3 pound coins (he had a large tray full of pound coins right in front of him) he told me, "i'm not a bloody bank" snatched my fiver and change off me and slapped the coins in my hand. huffing and puffing with anger as he did so.
He also accused me and my friends of "being in the city all day and not having the sense to get change" - I was tempted to applaud him for trying his best to guess what we'd been up to that day, despite the fact we'd been at uni, and only in the city centre or anywhere near shops for about two minutes, but thought better of it. Mine and my friends juvenile humour took over and we gave him sarcastic "thanks!" as we got off.

I tried paying a £1.10 towards the city at around 10:30 a couple of days later, with a fiver and 10p coin, and recieved sighs and lobbing of coins and change as if i had attempted pay by debit card.

I am a Transport Planner in training so i am well aware that it is a lot simpler for bus drivers if people have the right change, but they forget all too easily that, as in both of my cases, people can't always get change if they are in a rush or not near shops.

All our stories also show they forget they are delivering a public service and as sonys letter quite rightly points out, a similar attitude in a shop or other establishment let alone public sector job towards the public/customer would lead to loss of custom and a job.

Its not like they even do long shifts, isn't the maximum lenght of a bus driving shift about 3 hours?

Does anyone know the address of First's headquarters here?
I'd like to write to Brandon Jones, head of first mainline.

Customer Services Team
First
Midland Road
Rotherham
South Yorkshire
S61 1TF

Tel: 01709 566000

That's all there is on the First website. You should contact the Star as well about your experience.
I absolutely despise First; I think they are one of the worst, scummiest companies I've ever had to come across in terms of customer care, and service provision.
I hate the way they have a virtual monopoly over Sheffield (especially the 51, which I have to get), and can do absolutely what they please with virtually no comeback.

RE. boarding a bus at a bus-stop.

What's the situation if there's an accident of some kind when boarding a bus away from a bus-stop?
Is the driver responsible cos. he encouraged people to board when not at a designated pickup point?

Granma

I am very anti bus at the moment. Time after time am I left in the cold/rain on my own, or snapped and growled at by some jumped up little bus driver...

If you used a pass, ie disabled/senior citizen/under 16/16-18, you should receive a ticket and printed on the ticket is the drivers number... That should suffice to nail him in a complaint. Thats what I always do and trust me, I'm always complaining to first over the way I get treat.

A bit of advice: due to the signs displayed everywhere about how the drivers should work without fear of intimidation, even calling the driver a few choice words can land you in trouble as these boys just love calling the cops then stopping and waiting for the police car to arrive... My tactic is to say nothing at all... Just let them talk to themselves, which makes them look stupid and you usually see other passengers smirking and pulling amused faces as the driver rambles on and chunters away. Follow it up with a complaint to First (The only culprits I might add) and feel smug that the matter will be dealt with and that you havent gotten yourself into any trouble.

BTW: I shall have very little left to say in terms of buses and the hours of standing in the cold etc as I'm in the process of buying a car. Never had a problem with public transport in the past, but recent treatment has left me a very bitter young lady and I shall be adding to the Morning rush hour in my own polished little car. Good riddance to buses I say!

Originally posted by AndrewC
Hello, i feel your anger sony, i have had problems with bus drivers in the past. I try to give them a break, driving for long shifts, in busy difficult driving conditions, and several passengers can be complete arses.

But a couple of weeks ago me and my friends had been at uni and went to the bus stop by virgin to catch an 80 bus down ecclesall road. All my friend had was a ten pound note, and when she tried to buy her ticket she was told he hadn't the change for her.
Fair enough i thought, £8.90 is a bit much for a bus driver to be giving out. But when i stepped in to buy both our tickets with a five pound note and the 20p needed for my change to be just 3 pound coins (he had a large tray full of pound coins right in front of him) he told me, "i'm not a bloody bank" snatched my fiver and change off me and slapped the coins in my hand. huffing and puffing with anger as he did so.
He also accused me and my friends of "being in the city all day and not having the sense to get change" - I was tempted to applaud him for trying his best to guess what we'd been up to that day, despite the fact we'd been at uni, and only in the city centre or anywhere near shops for about two minutes, but thought better of it. Mine and my friends juvenile humour took over and we gave him sarcastic "thanks!" as we got off.

I tried paying a £1.10 towards the city at around 10:30 a couple of days later, with a fiver and 10p coin, and recieved sighs and lobbing of coins and change as if i had attempted pay by debit card.

I am a Transport Planner in training so i am well aware that it is a lot simpler for bus drivers if people have the right change, but they forget all too easily that, as in both of my cases, people can't always get change if they are in a rush or not near shops.

All our stories also show they forget they are delivering a public service and as sonys letter quite rightly points out, a similar attitude in a shop or other establishment let alone public sector job towards the public/customer would lead to loss of custom and a job.

Its not like they even do long shifts, isn't the maximum lenght of a bus driving shift about 3 hours?

The maximum is 5 1/2 hours. Though the average is about 4 1/2

Originally posted by bigrods
Customer Services Team
First
Midland Road
Rotherham
South Yorkshire
S61 1TF

Tel: 01709 566000

That's all there is on the First website. You should contact the Star as well about your experience.
I absolutely despise First; I think they are one of the worst, scummiest companies I've ever had to come across in terms of customer care, and service provision.
I hate the way they have a virtual monopoly over Sheffield (especially the 51, which I have to get), and can do absolutely what they please with virtually no comeback.
Perhaps you should mention Sheffield Forum might even get a comment or two from a bus manager there again perhaps not.

Originally posted by caprice
I am very anti bus at the moment. Time after time am I left in the cold/rain on my own, or snapped and growled at by some jumped up little bus driver...

If you used a pass, ie disabled/senior citizen/under 16/16-18, you should receive a ticket and printed on the ticket is the drivers number... That should suffice to nail him in a complaint. Thats what I always do and trust me, I'm always complaining to first over the way I get treat.


The FLEET NUMBER of the bus is always on the panel at the top of windscreen (inside) and/or on the backside (outside) of the bus. This is a 5 digit number in black font. This will identify the driver when used with date, time & service number i.e #86.
On this occasion I see you noted & used it :thumbsup: but for others who are not issued with a ticket & have need to complain... :heyhey: :rant: TOP TIP!

Ignore the post about Earl Williams.He's only a manager.

Write to Gary Nolan,he;s th MD.

Dont expect much of a reply though.In a previous thread,started by me,(called youths on buses,I'm too thick to link it),It explains a bad experience I had on a bus a short time ago.I wrote to Nolan to tell him about this.
I had a reply that just proved tht they all pee in the same pot at First.
I was a driver at First for two and a half years,and put up with all kinds of crap.I tried my hardest to be polite to passengers,but some you just cant help.This guy just seemed to be a complete arse.

Write to Nolan,Sony.Give him the times and location of the bus.They should be able to work out who it was.

In the meantime,keep a lookout for him,and post his description on here,and we'll find him,and annoy him as passengers,and cut him up as motorists!

After reading this and other forums I thought I would offer my top tips for riding the bus

1. Pay your fare with the correct change

2. do not attempt to engage the driver in conversation or ask any questions

3. keep quiet until you have got off the bus

4. go and buy a car

;)

I cant believe anybody customer facing could be so rude! We had a guy at work who swore at a couple of customers and he was rightfully dismissed for it.

I'd make a big deal of this Sony, get the papers involved if possible.

Considering Sheffield is generally a friendly city, the bus drivers are really letting the place down. I've never known such rude people and intentional bad drivers ever!

Sheffield is the only place i've had problems with bus drivers.

The drivers back home seem like Angels compared to this lot up here :rant:

I wouldn't hold your breath about them ansering complaints. I e-mailed them and got a letter saying they were taking the complaint up and then nothing......

Originally posted by Fletch
at the minute im well p*****d off with the whole first company!!

they make false claims that thei rbusses come every 6 mins which they dont! more like every 20 mins!

the bus driver drivers know they are late and know youve been waiting for about 20 mins and are still arsey about the fact that you complain that they are late.

i got on 52 bus a few days ago which was the first one in 20 mins, when i should have seen one every 6 mins, so i pointed it out to the driver and he went "so nowt i can do about it!" i told him yes there is you should actually get your arse in gear and sort your organisation out!" i knew he wouldnt do it but i felt better and i didnt think about being cold and wet when i got on the bus.

but at the minute i praise the YORKSHIRE TERRIER SERVICES!!

Not being funny but unless things have changed in last 12 month anyone moaning about the frequencyh of the 52 bus is taking the ****!!!!!!! They are 10 times more frequent than any other route. Beggers beleif!

Originally posted by uncleheed
Ignore the post about Earl Williams.He's only a manager.

Write to Gary Nolan,he;s th MD.

Dont expect much of a reply though.In a previous thread,started by me,(called youths on buses,I'm too thick to link it),It explains a bad experience I had on a bus a short time ago.I wrote to Nolan to tell him about this.
I had a reply that just proved tht they all pee in the same pot at First.


Where did my thread re, Earl Williams (complaints manager) & his direct line to his office go to? Can't find it now... Did the MOD remove it?
It was genuinely there to help others & I always had a reasonable conversation directly with Mr Williams when I rang it. Is it worth me reposting? :loopy:

I emailed first
I wrote to First (manager)
I wrote to the star

Lets see what happens!!:D

Originally posted by uncleheed
Ignore the post about Earl Williams.He's only a manager.

Write to Gary Nolan,he;s th MD.

Dont expect much of a reply though.In a previous thread,started by me,(called youths on buses,I'm too thick to link it),It explains a bad experience I had on a bus a short time ago.I wrote to Nolan to tell him about this.
I had a reply that just proved tht they all pee in the same pot at First.
I was a driver at First for two and a half years,and put up with all kinds of crap.I tried my hardest to be polite to passengers,but some you just cant help.This guy just seemed to be a complete arse.

Write to Nolan,Sony.Give him the times and location of the bus.They should be able to work out who it was.

In the meantime,keep a lookout for him,and post his description on here,and we'll find him,and annoy him as passengers,and cut him up as motorists!

Uncleheed is correct the manager in question is responsible for Rotherham area only not Sheffield you may note that the Rotherham based drivers do not in general speak to people in that manner as Rotherham travellers will probably confirm altjough I may have to stand corrected on this one.

Originally posted by Sony
This is the letter which me & the 2 other passengers have written:

South Yorkshire Passenger Executive PO Box 801 Exchange Street Sheffield S2 5YT Fax. 0114 275 9908 Stephen Road Ecclesall Sheffield S11 Mob774 335 Tel. 9581

FAO: Julie Revell

16 December 2004

Dear Sir/Madam

Formal Complaint Regarding the Bus Driver of Service 86, Vehicle Number 60482, Boarded 8:15 am, Rustlings Road, Thursday 16 December 2004.

I am writing to lodge a formal complaint in respect of the above bus driver.

This morning as usual my partner and I waited for the number 86 bus at the Rustlings Road stop. It was lightly raining and as such we remained under the shelter as we saw the bus approaching. We looked up towards the bus during our conversation and noticed the bus driver making aggressive gestures with his hands. We had no idea of the reason for this but assumed it was likely to be with reference to the traffic, which was very slow-moving.

Upon boarding the bus the driver stated in an aggressive manner that he had stopped 6 yards away from the stand as a ‘favour’ to a female passenger who had joined our stop unnoticed by us, and that we should have boarded with her. I replied that I had not seen this happen and pointed out that we were waiting for the bus at the correct location. To this the bus driver said ‘you should get new glasses if you can’t see what’s going on in front of your face’. I asked him to repeat this comment as I was so astonished by it, at which point he shouted ‘****ing arsehole’ after me.

At this stage I was angry and offended by his attitude and behaviour, especially as the bus had several passengers who had witnessed the incident and I had intended to telephone my complaint to you. However, when alighting outside Coopland’s on Arundel Gate in the City Centre I was astounded to witness a similar incident between the bus driver and another male passenger and it is because of this that I felt a written complaint would better convey the seriousness of the attacks.

The passenger, K, calmly asked the bus driver to repeat his previous comments. The driver replied in an extremely rude manner that he would discuss the matter when he reached Firth Park. Mr K again asked the bus driver to repeat his comments at which point the driver stood up threateningly and said ‘you should get your ****ing teeth sorted out’ when I've finished with you
My girlfriend and I travel on 4 separate First Mainline buses each, per day, travelling to and from work and we have never witnessed such appalling displays of behaviour. Not only did we both feel humiliated in front of the other passengers but I also felt offended, threatened and in danger of the driver’s actions. As a Retail Manager I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would be putting my job in serious jeopardy if I ever instigated such an incident with one of my customers.

Mr K, 077 has given permission for his number to be passed on to you and my partner, Kate Marston can be contacted on 07 should you require any further statements.

I wish this complaint to be taken very seriously. If I do not receive any response from you I shall be seeking legal advice.

Yours sincerely




Stephen

Sony, I and all Forum members would I am sure not condone the experience that you have had but at the end of the day unless your witness or witnesses will actually come forward as promised this could turn out to prove a very expensive exercise for you if litigation starts as witnesses when push comes to shove disappear into the night so to speak

Originally posted by Sony
Do First actually interview people before they get the job or what?? i mean the guy had a serious attitude problem... Makes you wonder

I think they are desparate for drivers hence the advert that i saw on the back of a First bus the other day...

Like ya say Sony... makes ya wonder :?

Originally posted by Angel05
I think they are desparate for drivers hence the advert that i saw on the back of a First bus the other day...


Hopefully they'll be employed to replace the ones we have now. Stressful job or not you have to put up with customers.

I'm going to work in about half an hour to McDonalds. I have to put up with it there but I'm still polite to the customers.

Originally posted by IanMitchell
Hopefully they'll be employed to replace the ones we have now. Stressful job or not you have to put up with customers.

Lets just hope so eh... Somthing needs to be done...

I have in the past worked with the general public an yes i agree at times it can be very stressful... It is something that we should learn to rise above (not easy on ocassions)... We get one bad customer that gets our backs up... then the next customer in line gets the tail end of that stress... Thats when complaints can start... Before this kinda situation occurs time out should be called for even if only for a couple of minutes to get rid of frustration... or count to 10 (doesnt always work tho i'm usually at 110 an still frustrated :lol: )

Granted it is a little more difficult on a bus... :?

Bus companies should employ diplomatic/patient people as there are all walks of life out there...

For the amount they are paid we probably have the bus drivers we deserve.

I know money should not have a lot to do with the quality of the job you do, but if you are struggling to support your family it is likely to make you a little more irritable at work.

Originally posted by Yodameister
For the amount they are paid we probably have the bus drivers we deserve.

I know money should not have a lot to do with the quality of the job you do, but if you are struggling to support your family it is likely to make you a little more irritable at work.

But then thats their problem... that should be kept at home away from work... A person should not take personal business into work with them... Its not down to the individual customer that a persons finances are in a bad way...

Bus drivers / Taxi drivers etc are employed to provide a professional public service for those people who are less fortunate of having other means of transport an have to rely on public services...

Originally posted by Angel05
But then thats their problem... that should be kept at home away from work... A person should not take personal business into work with them... Its not down to the individual customer that a persons finances are in a bad way...

Bus drivers / Taxi drivers etc are employed to provide a professional public service for those people who are less fortunate of having other means of transport an have to rely on public services...

Yeah, but what should happen and what does happen are not the same thing.

If you are not paid a living wage (not that I'm saying bus driver's aren't) it would affect the proffessionalism with which you carry your duties out.

If you think all bus drivers should be saints who don't let anything else in their lives impinge on their behaviour, then great, but people like that will be out there doing better jobs.

Whether you think its right or not its the way it is.

Bring back conductors and leave the bus drivers to concentrate on driving! Oh hang on, that involves First investing money....

Originally posted by NJMUK
Not being funny but unless things have changed in last 12 month anyone moaning about the frequencyh of the 52 bus is taking the ****!!!!!!! They are 10 times more frequent than any other route. Beggers beleif!

Well, but look at the principle. This means only 1 in 4 buses are turning up. If the same thing happens on a route that runs every 20 minutes then you would be looking at an hour between buses!

I think that most problems with buses stem from the fact that traffic does not run smoothly enough.

It means that buses end up congregating together - the drivers get behind schedule, people get fed up cos they are waiting 40 minutes for buses that should come every 10 minutes, and everyone just ends up irritable and ready to get upset about things.

Originally posted by Yodameister
I think that most problems with buses stem from the fact that traffic does not run smoothly enough.

It means that buses end up congregating together - the drivers get behind schedule, people get fed up cos they are waiting 40 minutes for buses that should come every 10 minutes, and everyone just ends up irritable and ready to get upset about things.

That is true to a certain extent

Its the only thing that I get ****** off about with bus travel.

I can put up with noisy teenagers, smelly old people, heating not working, grumpy drivers.

As long as I get where I want to go in a timely fashion I'm really not that bothered how!

None of this still gives Bus drivers the right to be rude to the public... They should bite their lip and keep their opinions to themselves or discuss it when they get back to the depot or home to their families... They should be working in a professional manner...

What about passenger discipline?

Should drivers just bite their lip and say nothing if someone is smoking, or if a drunk man is harrassing and upsetting lone female travellers?

Originally posted by Andy C
What about passenger discipline?

Should drivers just bite their lip and say nothing if someone is smoking, or if a drunk man is harrassing and upsetting lone female travellers?

of course not, but even then there is no reason or excuse to be abusive towards them.

I think threatening someone with violence is actually a criminal offence, so the driver who threatened to fight out it at the depot could be arrested if you make a complaint to the police and they can identify him.

Originally posted by Andy C
Sorry, couldn't resist stirring there!

:suspect:

Originally posted by Andy C
What about passenger discipline?

Should drivers just bite their lip and say nothing if someone is smoking, or if a drunk man is harrassing and upsetting lone female travellers?

No i'm not discussing that kinda of situation... i am referring to the the thread that Sony started... The driver giving abuse to an innocent person who just so happened to be boarding his bus...

With Passengers misbehaving that would go without a mention as i feel it would be right for the driver to get involved...

Originally posted by Cyclone

I think threatening someone with violence is actually a criminal offence, so the driver who threatened to fight out it at the depot could be arrested if you make a complaint to the police and they can identify him.


Really???

Originally posted by Angel05
None of this still gives Bus drivers the right to be rude to the public... They should bite their lip and keep their opinions to themselves or discuss it when they get back to the depot or home to their families... They should be working in a professional manner...

Casue and Justification are two different things.

I am not suggesting that how much you are paid is a justification for how you perform in your job role, but a cause.

Employers know that the more you pay someone, the more likely they are to take their responsibilities seriously.

The world works the way it does, not the way it should do.

Originally posted by Cyclone
of course not, but even then there is no reason or excuse to be abusive towards them.

I think threatening someone with violence is actually a criminal offence, so the driver who threatened to fight out it at the depot could be arrested if you make a complaint to the police and they can identify him.

This is definitely not professional behaviour... If this is the Driver's everyday attitude then he is clearly in the wrong profession...

Maybe he's a doorman by night an gets his jobs mixed up... 'ya names not down... your not getting on' :?

Joking aside now... there is no excuses for this Driver... something has to be done... What if this happens again... an the next person rises to the ocassion...

Originally posted by Sony
Really???

Its the Drivers job to provide a helpful service for the public... not to threaten their custom

Originally posted by Angel05
[B]:suspect:



No i'm not discussing that kinda of situation... i am referring to the the thread that Sony started... The driver giving abuse to an innocent person who just so happened to be boarding his bus...

B]Allready said that is unacceptable several pages back!.[/

Originally posted by Sony
Really???

wouldn't stake my life on it, but I think it might be. Call the police (not 999) and ask.

Yeah, course it is. Threatening behaviour is an offence, even verbal threats. Even swearing and obscence gestures are public order offences. I know this because I got a kicking from a car driver about 15 years ago (I was only 15) - I knocked his wing mirror on my bike (accidentally). He jammed his horn on and I gave him the finger, whereupon he got out his car and punched me in the head. Scary stuff, but the police wouldn't charge him cos of the public order offense I'd committed by giving him the finger. He also alleged I told him to f-off. Nice huh?

So (IMO) you'd be lucky to get any response from the police, but they might make a phone call to the depot or whatever which would stir things up at First. Hell, someone needs to stir things up if this sort of thing goes un-challenged...

Hi Sony,
Sorry to hear about your experience. I used to work for the local bus company before it became First (I spit on the name) and the majority of those who were left and joined First (I spit on the name) thought that they were going to get a good deal whilst remaining with the company; alas that was and is not so.
Those who I still see, cannot wait to leave, are so fed-up, dispirited, feel so let down etc....it goes on.
I am pleased that you've taken a stand to complain and rightly so. If you do not get any joy, e-mail it to the Sheffield Star.
Have you heard about the rumour that First (I spit on the name) may be returning to Sheffield Transport?;interesting and if I hear anymore, I'll post it on the forum.

Originally posted by bassplayer
Hi Sony,
Sorry to hear about your experience. I used to work for the local bus company before it became First (I spit on the name) and the majority of those who were left and joined First (I spit on the name) thought that they were going to get a good deal whilst remaining with the company; alas that was and is not so.
Those who I still see, cannot wait to leave, are so fed-up, dispirited, feel so let down etc....it goes on.
I am pleased that you've taken a stand to complain and rightly so. If you do not get any joy, e-mail it to the Sheffield Star.
Have you heard about the rumour that First (I spit on the name) may be returning to Sheffield Transport?;interesting and if I hear anymore, I'll post it on the forum.
I have heard that as well has anyone else?

I suspect this is total rubbish. First use the First brand across all their companies.

Maybe someone has seen that bus First South Yorkshire have painted in the old Sheffield Transport livery to commemorate some anniversary or other and come to a silly conclusion?

it was mainline before first and before that it was south yorkshire transport, not sheffield transport.

Originally posted by Sony
Driver: You wanna watch your f***** teeth mate as you're gonna see a dentist if you don't get off now. I'm going to Firth Park so we can have a chat there if you like
Me: ( and I do know I shouldn't have answered) I should scratch you're f***** eyes out
As I get off he starts sayin that we should have a good scrap at the terminus
If I had ever spoken a tenth of what he told you I would have been fired on the spot !
Some companies really have code of morality or don't give a rat's arse about anything...

Money, money, money.

Sorry to hear about your plight Sony, I believe I have the perfect solution. The bus company in question should consider the following policies to reduce stress / problems for bus drivers and passangers:

1) There should be no change given (under any circumstances) for passangers who don't have the correct fare.

If you don't have correct fare, you can:

a) Decide not to board the bus.
b) Pay (over the odds) with with what you do have.
c) Decide to make sure that you have correct change in future.

There will be no more change related problems and everyone will be a lot happier ...

2) Bus drivers should not be allowed (under any circumstances) to pick up passangers anywhere other than a bus stop.

If the bus driver sees an old pregnant lady with 20 bags of shopping stuggling to get to a bus stop ... he should not show any compassion and stop for her ... he should drive on by and only collect passangers waiting in the correct place.

This would prevent any problems such as the one Sony had, and everyone will be happy ...

(apart from the hypothetical poor old pregnant lady of course)

Originally posted by Jamie
The bus company in question should consider the following policies to reduce stress / problems for bus drivers and passangers:

1) There should be no change given (under any circumstances) for passangers who don't have the correct fare.

If you don't have correct fare, you can:

a) Decide not to board the bus.
b) Pay (over the odds) with with what you do have.
c) Decide to make sure that you have correct change in future.
You taking the pi55 or sommut ?
I want my change ! I'm not giving a penny more than the already over priced fares of the least capable transport company in the country !
and if i don't have change coz I've just been to the cash machine, well so be it ! I'm not going toby a Mars bar and pi55 of a shop keeper for the sake of a bus driver's ego :rant: :rant:

Originally posted by Captain_Scarlet
You taking the pi55 or sommut ?

No, not at all, I am deadly serious.

If bus drivers and passangers are not able to treat each other in a courteous manner, then the system needs to change. I think there would be much less friction and problems if the onus was on the passanger to have correct change.

I recently visited Switzerland, and they have ticket machines at bus stops. You do need correct change for them, but every one seemed quite happy with that system.

I think that there are established laws relating to correct change. And if you do not have correct change, then the retailer can refuse to sell you the service, or give you no change.

I found this :-

There is no legal right to demand change. This is nothing to do with any question of legal tender, in fact it simply relates to the old Common Law rule that when I owe you, say £5.55, I am under the duty to hand over exactly that sum. It is for me to find notes or coins of the correct denomination - not you, my creditor. This is surley only logical.
Similarly, although I can , for instance , pay a £4 debt with exactly £4 worth of 50p, 10p, or 5P coins, the principle does not work the other way. Those stories about being able to insist on a bus conductor having to accept a £10 note for a 10p ticket are hogwash. He would perfectly withing his rights in refusing to give you change and unless you give him 10p in coins, in asking you to get off the bus.

Originally posted by Jamie
No, not at all, I am deadly serious.

If bus drivers and passangers are not able to treat each other in a courteous manner, then the system needs to change. I think there would be much less friction and problems if the onus was on the passanger to have correct change.

I recently visited Switzerland, and they have ticket machines at bus stops. You do need correct change for them, but every one seemed quite happy with that system.
It's not the way we pay that must change but the behaviour of people, namely customers and the staff...

We used to have ticket machines for tram tickets, we all know how rubbish that idea was and where they are now...

If that's way it's going to be... New ways to annoy will have to be found, like buying tickets with stamps :D
Not giving back change my :hihi:

And unlike some other ungrateful people I always say hi and cheers when I use public transport, so don't blame me for others beeing rude to bus drivers.

Originally posted by muddycoffee
I think that there are established laws relating to correct change. And if you do not have correct change, then the retailer can refuse to sell you the service, or give you no change.

I found this :-

There is no legal right to demand change. This is nothing to do with any question of legal tender, in fact it simply relates to the old Common Law rule that when I owe you, say £5.55, I am under the duty to hand over exactly that sum. It is for me to find notes or coins of the correct denomination - not you, my creditor. This is surley only logical.
Similarly, although I can , for instance , pay a £4 debt with exactly £4 worth of 50p, 10p, or 5P coins, the principle does not work the other way. Those stories about being able to insist on a bus conductor having to accept a £10 note for a 10p ticket are hogwash. He would perfectly withing his rights in refusing to give you change and unless you give him 10p in coins, in asking you to get off the bus.

Sounds good to me.

Let me get this right though,...... if some pedantic quotes the law and refuses to give change, then I can retaliate by giving them the exact £1.55 in pennies?:heyhey:

When I was younger, I have no idea if this is true or not, I was told that if you gave your fare to the driver and if you gave him more than 20p in pennies they could refuse to let you on the bus... possibly my friends taking advantage of my gullibility

Susie
xx

Positive post for First......I think!!!!!!

A couple of weeks ago my wife was on the 97 bus. She was due to alight on Moonshine Lane, so as passengers were getting on at the stop before (Norwood Tesco) she and my son stood up to let an old lady and a woman with a toddler have their seats. "Here you are, we're getting off at the next stop."

As they stood up the bus pulled away and within seconds entered the roundabout. By this time the old lady and the lass with the toddler had just sat down. Apparently, the bus took the roundabout very fast and the wife was thrown sideways across another seat and onto other passengers. According to my son, about five people got up to help her as she was dizzy after banging her head on a bar.

The driver didn't stop, even though he couldn't possibly have missed the commotion behind him, and my son had even approached him and said, "My mum has just hurt herself cos of you going round the roundabout too fast." He apparently grunted and just drove on the 3-400 yards to the next stop.

The wife limped off the bus with the aid of some other passengers, a couple of them being young teenaged lasses, but the driver never even left his seat.

As they were about to walk away, a passenger shouted that the driver wanted her name and address. My son gave the details to him.

Problem was, neither the wife nor my son thought about getting the driver's details as they were both a bit shocked.

She went to the doctor's with a lump the size of an egg on the back of her head and got some painkillers.

The incident was forgotten about............ until the other day when a policeman called at our house to take details of the incident.

Do you think First are covering their own backs here, or do you think that maybe they are taking responsibility?

Quick question. Are public service vehicle drivers first aiders, and shouldn't they pull over and deal with injuries immediately?

Originally posted by Jamie

If the bus driver sees an old pregnant lady with 20 bags of shopping stuggling to get to a bus stop ... he should not show any compassion and stop for her ... he should drive on by and only collect passangers waiting in the correct place.

This would prevent any problems such as the one Sony had, and everyone will be happy ...

(apart from the hypothetical poor old pregnant lady of course)


You're mistaken. As said in an earlier post I was at the bus stop and did everything perfectly. I did nothing wrong.
The 2 other passengers complaining got on the bus later, and they were the ones slightly away from the bus stop.

Originally posted by Sony
You're mistaken. As said in an earlier post I was at the bus stop and did everything perfectly. I did nothing wrong.
The 2 other passengers complaining got on the bus later, and they were the ones slightly away from the bus stop.

I was refering to the female passanger he picked up just 6 yards before your stop Sony.

he had stopped 6 yards away from the stand as a ‘favour’ to a female passenger who had joined our stop unnoticed by us

If drivers did not go out of their way to help people, like her (or anyone else), who are not waiting at an official bus stop, then they would be less stressed and more on time and more at peace ... and as a result ... would not get in to quarrels with people who do everything perfectly and nothing wrong.