Monday 23 April 2012

Gratuitous Abuse of a Bus Driver

One of our regular commentors -and the sole "outed" barge owner in our audience- YZ09AFD- is heard in this video abusing a bus driver down at the centre.

The harsh truth is that bit of the Centre is designed for buses. Not bicycles, or that one-way-at-a-time light at the end would have a bicycle bypass, or at least respond to waiting bicycles, bicycles whose owners then recklessly cycle through red lights.

It's not designed for pedestrians either, otherwise the ped crossing at the other end would actually do something useful.

It is for buses only, it radiates that fact, and the way they treat "DaveW" or anyone else selfish enough to cycle down it is entirely justified. We just wish there were more minicab firms in the city to keep these underpeople in their place.

4 comments:

David Wilcox said...

And here is the complaint that I put into first bus yesterday:

Dear First Bus
I would like to complain about driver of the 25 service in Bristol on the morning of the 21st of April 2012 at around 09:20. He was driving YX09 AF0 or bus number 44906.
The journey has been uploaded to YouTube at http://youtu.be/5jd-cI2Gweg I was traveling on my bicycle on a journey between City Road and Broad Quay. I was in the cycle / bus lane on the Haymarket, when he made a very close pass and cut me up by indicating left to pull in to a bus stop immediately after overtaking. When I passed him he seemed to have his middle finger on his right hand outstretched indicating his displeasure at my position in the cycle lane. This was a very dangerous manoeuvre as I was travelling at 17 mph. In my opinion he did not need to overtake at this point and was putting me and the passengers of the bus he was driving in danger.
Please view this section of the journey here: http://youtu.be/AZAp93w23sg He also made an encroachment into the Advanced Stop Lane at the junction of Rupert Street and Colston Avenue. He caught up with me again on the shared pedestrian / vehicle space outside the Radisson Hotel on Colston Avenue. Where again he made a very close pass and cut me up on overtaking as he indicated left to pull up at a bus stop. I was travelling at 17mph.
I then stopped and asked him why he continually cut up cyclists; he stated that it was because I cycled in the middle of the lane and refused to give me his name and driver number.
Please view this section of the journey here: http://youtu.be/szK7MYO_O58 This driver has the wrong attitude for driving in a complex urban environment. He should have his PCV license withdrawn and be referred to the Traffic Commissioner.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Driver%20Conduct%20Practice%20Direction%20No%203%20June%202008.pdf
Can First Bus please tell me how they are going to deal with driver?
Yours Sincerely
David

I shall let you know how it progresses...

Martyn said...

Foxtrot Oscar, surely?

David Wilcox said...

Here's the reply from First Bus.

Dear Mr Wilcox,

Thank you for your E-Mail. Thank you for contacting us regarding the service 25 driver on the 21st of April. This type of driving is unacceptable and intimidating to other road users. We take cyclist safety very seriously and will be discussing these incidents with the driver in accordance with our company disciplinary procedure. We have requested CCTV from the bus for this trip and will be examining his driving standard and his behaviour whilst in the cab.

Also, your footage has highlighted another aspect of this driver that will be highlighted during the disciplinary procedure. Although we will be investigating and dealing with him internally through the use of our disciplinary procedure, if you feel that his actions put you in danger whilst on the road, please report this to the police.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any concern that this has caused you.

If you need anything further please do not hesitate to contact us by replying to this e-mail and quoting the reference:113406

Regards,
First Customer Services

David Wilcox said...

Here's the reply from First Bus

Dear Mr Wilcox,

Thank you for your E-Mail. Thank you for contacting us regarding the service 25 driver on the 21st of April. This type of driving is unacceptable and intimidating to other road users. We take cyclist safety very seriously and will be discussing these incidents with the driver in accordance with our company disciplinary procedure. We have requested CCTV from the bus for this trip and will be examining his driving standard and his behaviour whilst in the cab.

Also, your footage has highlighted another aspect of this driver that will be highlighted during the disciplinary procedure. Although we will be investigating and dealing with him internally through the use of our disciplinary procedure, if you feel that his actions put you in danger whilst on the road, please report this to the police.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any concern that this has caused you.

If you need anything further please do not hesitate to contact us by replying to this e-mail and quoting the reference:113406

Regards,
First Customer Services

Is this good enough - can we trust First Bus to do anything?

David