August 14, 2009Reader Question: An uncooperative bus driver
Meryl, I particularly loved your response in the current newsletter!
As a follower of yours since the time I saw you in 2002 in Canberra, Australia, I find anything I butt up against in life, I often ask myself how you would handle a situation and try and respond accordingly.
A friend of mine has a morning bus driver that, as she is the only person to board at her stop (she is in her early 50’s), finds that the driver doesn’t wait until she releases her bus ticket from the machine and sits down, he powers off whilst she has no capacity to hold on, ie office bag in one hand and bus ticket in the other still attached to the machine.
She has written a polite online note to the bus company and received a rather blunt reply reminding her that buses run to a timetable and that its not policy to wait for passengers to be seated. Might I say that her afternoon driver insists on waiting for passengers to be seated before resuming travel at every stop.
My friend is quietly spoken and I suspect is uncomfortable in addressing the driver, what would you suggest Meryl?
Thank you for your valued opinion.
Suggestion:
I suggest that your friend ask the evening bus driver for his ideas. He would be in a good position to advise.
If she does that, please let me know what the driver suggests!
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What? “not policy to wait for passengers to be seated.”
I would write another letter or call management (except
she’s quiet) and point out that moving the bus while people
are standing in the aisle could be a federal safety violation. Or, make a request: “Please wait till I’m seated before leaving,
I can’t hold onto anything right now.” Perhaps she could point out to the driver that if she falls she’ll have to sue.
Comment by Phoebe — August 19, 2009 @ 10:53 am
I share your indigence, Phoebe. My response took into account that the person who has the issue is hesitant to speak. That’s why I thought advice from the afternoon driver would feel safer to her…even if his suggestions are no different than ours would be. Also, this question came from Australia, which might have different guidelines. That said, your suggestions are excellent.
Of course there is an ornery part of me that would like to recommend that she dramatically fall every time he starts the bus – preferably into the lap of some charming passenger.
Comment by merylrunion — August 19, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
Perhaps the friend could quietly say to the Bus Driver. One day it may be my Grandson driving this bus, & you’ll be the passenger. What would you suggest I teach him about how he should treat you as a passenger?
Comment by Raechel — August 19, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Here’s a comment from Australia… I have found this phrase to be useful in many situations… “This is an issue of safety…” as in “This is an issue of safety, would you please wait until I am seated before moving off?” A driver ignoring an issue of safety makes him culpable in an incident.
If that does not work, your friend could write to the company again, explaining that this is an issue of safety, and mentioning being prepared to approach the government body that oversees industrial safety. In NSW it is Workcover.
Occupational Health and Safety recognize a “Near Miss” which is where no injury occurs, but should circumstances have been different, a serious injury could have occurred. Your friend could be seriously injured by hitting her head should she fall, so she could validly notify the oversight body.
Comment by Malcolm — November 19, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
What a great suggestion! Excellent!
Comment by merylrunion — November 21, 2009 @ 7:18 pm