Bus driver...

Leam_Carrie

Leam_Carrie

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Hacked to the local show today. My horse is fab in traffic, which is lucky as lots pass very close. I'll ways try and say thank you and let them passed as quick as possible. Some of the roads are quite busy, but there is no way round. Anyway on a bendy stretch a bus come up behind, there isn't enough visibility to pass so I trot her on and find somewhere she can stand to let him passed. He then decides to open the bus doors and shout at me that I should find somewhere safer to ride. My horse just stood there, but this could have scared her and caused an accident. I'm tempted to complain to the bus company, but no sure..,
 
Absolutely complain, disgraceful behaviour. I have complained on occasion and also complimented the good ones. His behaviour today was dangerous and it is not up to him to decide who he shares the road with.
 
Definitely complain. Generally bus companies are quite responsive. Would he do the same to a little child on a bike? Disgusting!

The highway code requires drivers not only to pass wide and slow but to give special consideration to vulnerable road users like horse riders and cyclists. That's even more the case with someone driving a large heavy vehicle and responsible for the safety of members of the public.

You have every right to be on the road and his actions amount to harassment, at minimum his firm should give a verbal warning
 
Good grief!! How thoughtless! Agree with Lachlanand Marcus!

Complain and write a letter to H&H and hope they print it!
 
We hack on a busy bus route to get to our lovely woods ride and I have been impressed at the consideration our bus drivers show us. I hadn't thought to do anything more than a grateful wave, Mrs M. What a good idea to contact the company.

I think your driver needs educating OP, so an email would be a good idea.
 
You will need to specify the time, exact location and type of vehicle, ie, decker, etc. along with a detailed report of what happened. Do not put any might haves, could haves in the complaint. Address it to the transport manager of whatever company it was. Diamond by any chance ?
 
I would complain. I find the bus drivers round us very good when I'm riding, but have had to complain to the bus company about an incident which happened when I was driving!
 
I complained to a local company once about their bread lorry
which came right up behind me then passed very close I noticed when they lorry passed me after that it gave me a wide berth.
 
We have a bus depot where I live, and after a near miss phoned the headquarters to complain. The driver was hauled in for a stern talking to and I was given an apology. I also make sure to thank the kind, considerate ones by going down to the depot personally. I think that makes a huge difference to them and the way they treat me while riding... makes a change from me flying in there, all guns blazing and shouting the odds lol
 
I wouldn't bother but that's because my complaint about a driving passing me at 40mph (in a 30 zone) around a blind bend and terrifying my 4yo to the point he became dangerous was completely ignored and poo poo-d.
 
Yes I would complain too.

Write a letter to the highest "bod" that you can find in the company; and say you'll be keeping a copy for forwarding to the police traffic unit (they don't need to know whether you do or not!!).

Write and say exactly what happened, i.e. that you as a horse rider were doing your best not to impede the journey of the bus, you appreciate they have timings to keep to etc etc, but that you felt threatened by this incident and felt it was unnecessary and could have well put you at risk.

Say that you're very grateful for the co-operation and polite response you have received from the majority of their drivers and hope this was an isolated incident.

Point out that (like all of us) you wish you could have somewhere else to ride, but there just isn't anywhere else.

Ask them to please point out to the driver that this incident had the potential to cause a serious accident, not only to you the horse rider but also by shouting out to you the bus driver was compromising the safety of his passengers as there are strict regulations with PSV vehicles concerning the opening of passenger doors whilst the vehicle is in motion, also the driver would not have been paying due care and attention as his focus was on you rather than on other traffic possibly approaching.

Ask the bus company to look into this on your behalf and state your assurance that they will take this matter seriously. Also ask them to keep you appraised of any developments.

I have unfortunately had to complain a few times about bus drivers: one goosed me whilst I was driving at night through a 30mph area, another occasion I met a bus hurtling far too fast round our local blind bend, god knows how he didn't hit me. I have to say that I felt that they DO take complaints seriously, but if they dont, you always have the option of going to the police about it either as well as, or instead of complaining direct.
 
ebonyallen said:
Totally agree with everyone else. Would like to hear what the company have to say .
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Will let you know how I get on. Completely agree with all the comments about praising the good ones, I'll make the point that usually their drivers are considerate and safe.

Lots of good advice which is appreciated, but wanted to say particular thanks for the one below. I noted the time, bus number etc.

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Yes I would complain too.

Write a letter to the highest "bod" that you can find in the company; and say you'll be keeping a copy for forwarding to the police traffic unit (they don't need to know whether you do or not!!).

Write and say exactly what happened, i.e. that you as a horse rider were doing your best not to impede the journey of the bus, you appreciate they have timings to keep to etc etc, but that you felt threatened by this incident and felt it was unnecessary and could have well put you at risk.

Say that you're very grateful for the co-operation and polite response you have received from the majority of their drivers and hope this was an isolated incident.

Point out that (like all of us) you wish you could have somewhere else to ride, but there just isn't anywhere else.

Ask them to please point out to the driver that this incident had the potential to cause a serious accident, not only to you the horse rider but also by shouting out to you the bus driver was compromising the safety of his passengers as there are strict regulations with PSV vehicles concerning the opening of passenger doors whilst the vehicle is in motion, also the driver would not have been paying due care and attention as his focus was on you rather than on other traffic possibly approaching.

Ask the bus company to look into this on your behalf and state your assurance that they will take this matter seriously. Also ask them to keep you appraised of any developments.

I have unfortunately had to complain a few times about bus drivers: one goosed me whilst I was driving at night through a 30mph area, another occasion I met a bus hurtling far too fast round our local blind bend, god knows how he didn't hit me. I have to say that I felt that they DO take complaints seriously, but if they dont, you always have the option of going to the police about it either as well as, or instead of complaining direct.
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Complain, but offer to bring your horse to the bus depot to explain to drivers why they need to slow down. Focus your explanation on danger to bus passengers from a hasty stop, and potential damage to a bus from running into a 400-600kg obstacle. Let them feed your horse titbits and the drivers will end up eating out of your hand.
 
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I say again do not include, could have, may have or any assumptions. Stick to exactly what happened in a factual statement.

Anything else will find your letter being used to mop up split tea. I spent 15 years in the trade. The people reading and reacting to your complaint do not need telling about PSV law or what might have happened if the bus stopped quickly.

They will have in house disciplinary policies and will take any appropriate action.
 
Not read the reply's but absolutely complain. Driver deserves a disciplinary for 1, potentially causing an accident 2, Yelling at another road user for riding on a road, in accordance with the highway code - as is your right under UK law.
He drives on licence (as we all do) with the proviso that he follows the highway code/driving laws/hgv regs.

I reported a van driver for tailgating in the fog last year - companies do take it very seriously.
 
Ring the company or google them find the name of the top bod and write .
I have done this once many years ago when a bus going in the other direction came on to a one lane only bridge when I was half across I almost ended up over the side .
They took it very seriously rang me twice and wrote a letter at the end of their investigation.
 
You absolutely must complain as the next horse (+rider) that driver meets on the road, may not be as bombproof as yours and it could result in a horrible (and preventable) accident!

I'm constantly disgusted with the attitudes of some drivers and personally try to avoid hacking on the roads now.

Please, for your sake and others complain and don't be brushed aside go higher if you don't feel they took it seriously. x
 
Nice preliminary back within 24 hours...

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear about the disappointing experience you have had with Stagecoach Midlands. Our Leamington Depot Manager will investigate and reply to you direct. Please allow up to 5 working days.
 
Leam_Carrie said:
Nice preliminary back within 24 hours...

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear about the disappointing experience you have had with Stagecoach Midlands. Our Leamington Depot Manager will investigate and reply to you direct. Please allow up to 5 working days.
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Well that's a start, cant wait to hear what the out come of this is.
 
Well I'm impressed with the response...

I am in receipt of your email regarding the behaviour and driving standards of one of our drivers who you have stated opened the doors of the bus as he passed shouted at you, I am very sorry that you have had cause to complain.

Our drivers are trained to a high standard and are required to remain polite and professional at all times, I am therefore extremely disappointed by the behaviour that you have described as the driver should have waited until there was room to pass safely and he should not have opened the doors to shout to.

I sincerely apologise for the behaviour of this individual and I can assure you that following your comments I have identified the driver concerned and taken CCTV footage from the vehicle and the driver will now be seen formally in line with our companies disciplinary procedures.

I am confident there will not be a repeat of this situation however if at any time you do have any issues with one of our drivers, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Once again, I would like to apologise for this incident and thank you for taking the time to bring the matter to my attention
 
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