I don't usually get involved in the bus driver threads but i do need to know if anyones ever complained and they've actually taken notice of them.

Yesterday i caught the 76 to Woodseats with my 6 week old baby, i pressed the bell to get off near Spar and stood waiting at the door, the driver didn't pull up to the path (was about 2ft away!) and didn't think to lower the bus so i asked politely if he could, he barely touched it and the bus went down about an inch! I was having a bad day anyway and couldn't be bothered to argue so i proceeded in dropping the pram off the bus, i mis-calculated the drop though and the pram fell off the bus and because its heavy i fell off too, i have now a twisted ankle and wrist, 2 big bruises on my leg and a bad shoulder as a result of the driver not doing his job, my pram is also broken as a result too. On the way home i spoke to another driver who was very sympathetic and gave me the number to complain too and agreed that its not on! Why did First put this feature on the bus if their drivers are too lazy to use it?!!

Anyway so back to the point, is it worth complaining to them or will they just laugh? I'm not sure what else to do but its getting to the point where i dread getting on buses with the baby now, wish i could drive! Makes you wonder why so many drivers get attacked though lol i'm so mad!

I got a reply when I reported a bus not giving way on a roundabout so I had to slam my brakes on when I was already on the roundabout :mad:

I hope they'll be paying for the damage to your pram too :(

I complained to First once after a driver falsely accused me of fraudulently using a under-16s bus pass and he got quite vocal and nasty about it.

I received, what seems to be, a standard letter. It basically said that they've given the driver a slap on the wrist and they trust it won't happen again.

I should hope that they'd do a bit more for you seeing as you were injured and your property damaged!

I complained of overcharging and got an apology plus DayRider Ticket.

In general, you should complain.
Even if you feel that your individual problem will not be/has not been satisfactorily addressed, as more complaints stack up against a particular driver then action should be taken against him.

I've got a reply almost every time, albeit an irrelevant standard letter.

I once wrote to Virgin Trains to complain, and recieved a standard letter of apology and some vouchers.

A few weeks later, I wrote to praise a member of their staff. I recieved the same standard letter of apology, and some more vouchers. :confused:

Originally posted by Andy C
I've got a reply almost every time, albeit an irrelevant standard letter.

The letter we get sent may be 'irrelevant' and 'standard' but your letter will go on his personnel file and will be tabled at his pay review ;)

When I complained by phone a bored voice said 'I suppose you didn't get the number'. They brightened up when I was able to furnish them with the First bus ID number :D

A couple of years ago I complained about the 29 bus service, which would shoot straight down Barnsley Road, past the Northern General Hospital, leaving me stranded at the bus stop.

I had to resort to standing in the middle of the road and risk being run over, before the bus would eventually stop.

After one incident, in which I had to run down the hill to the traffic lights to catch up with the bus, I sent First Mainline an email and received a reply shortly after, in which I was given an apology and was told the matter would be brought to the attention of the Route Manager.

The drivers would always stop for me after that...

Originally posted by Andy
I once wrote to Virgin Trains to complain, and recieved a standard letter of apology and some vouchers.

A few weeks later, I wrote to praise a member of their staff. I recieved the same standard letter of apology, and some more vouchers. :confused:

Interestingly, I actually complimented the use of pram-friendly, easy access buses in the same email, but this matter was not acknowledged in the response.

Obviously, First Mainline aren't prepared for compliments either! :)

Abdul

Originally posted by Strix
The letter we get sent may be 'irrelevant' and 'standard' but your letter will go on his personnel file and will be tabled at his pay review ;)

Yes, they're a private company now, not a council-run service.

Now we are customers, not just passengers, we finally have a voice :D

Awhile ago I slipped on something on the bus and damaged all the ligaments in my knee. I called to put in a complaint and all I got back was again a standard letter.

I wasn't the only person to slip either, there were 2 other people but when the bus driver was told he said it was our shoes. :rant:

I've ended up putting a claim in through my solicitors as First have basically blamed it on my trainers:rant:

Off topic Rach69 check you pm plz

Originally posted by malton_s5
Off topic Rach69 check you pm plz

Are you an ambulance chaser ;)

:hihi: :hihi: LMAO

I got a standard letter back when I complained about a First driver driving through a red light on a pedestrian crossing.

I'm not convinced that they actually took any other action.

Originally posted by Abdul
Yes, they're a private company now, not a council-run service.

Now we are customers, not just passengers, we finally have a voice :D

I'm not sure that we do have a voice. Send in a complaint, get a letter back. Sure it's an acknowlegement, but does it actually achieve anything? I think it would be far better if there was an overseeing authority to complain to who could cause First financial grief for lots of complaints, or for really serious complaints.

Originally posted by Abdul
Are you an ambulance chaser ;)

No, he / she might work for wheres there's blame there's a claim, no win no fee type of company

Complain in writing and keep a copy. Ask for compensation. Quote the bus route and bus number, time and place of the incident. If you receive a standard letter, write back complaining that your original letter has not received proper attention. Keep the pressure up!

Originally posted by mega_monty
No, he / she might work for wheres there's blame there's a claim, no win no fee type of company


mega_monty...your response reminds me of a line in a film I saw many years ago.

"I think it's a case of mistaken identity"
"Yes. Either that, or they think you're someone else"

:hihi: