I am absolutely raging!

T

Taboo1968

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Tonight saw parents evening at my sons school.... my appointment was 4.40pm, which meant I had to leave the house at about 4.10 to drive there plus I had to get fuel beforehand.... Now son gets public transport to and from school and was a little late tonight so I left a note telling him I had gone to Parents evening and would be back soon, gave him a list of jobs to do and also told him to get changed in readiness to go to yard....
Anyhow, I am sitting in school carpark when my mobile rings.... its my son, yelling down the phone that I had to go and get him now etc etc.... He wanted to come back to school to report an incident with the bus driver....
The bus driver had apparently braked sharply, emergency stop style because my son had got up and changed seats, he then started hurling abuse at my son.... then he called him to the front of the bus and told him to get off the bus.... in amongst all this, he actually grabbed my son by the upper arm and refused to let go, when he did he told him to get off the bus again, to which my son said he wasn't going anywhere.... the bus driver then threatened him saying that he would get him (meaning my son) when he was off duty.
By this point I am hopping up and down on the spot and tell son, this has nothing to do with the school and that I was going to the police.... went into the school on route to meeting with teacher and asked for the bus companies telephone number. As I was sitting waiting for the other parent to finish their talk, I rang the bus company and asked if there was a manager available to speak too.... apparently there was not and I was told that I was speaking to a supervisor.... I then expressed the fact that it might be a good idea, after what I have to say to get a manager in..... So I went through the whole scenario again and informed them that 1, I was calling the police and reporting this driver, 2, the driver be suspended immediately and 3, a manager should ring me back tonight!
came out of parents evening and immediately reported incident to police... rang the bus company back, it was an answer phone, so left a rather taut message expressing my disgust that NO ONE had called me back and I expected a call tonight or at the latest tomorrow morning as there was no way my son was getting on the bus if this "gentleman" was going to be driving it.... I also mentioned that the matter had now been reported to the police who they would no doubt hear from in the very near future....
Managed to get horses done a little later than expected and went to grab something to eat.... then came home and got a call asking if we were home so that statements could be taken.... three hours later.... this has been done and the police will be going to see other witnessess that were on the bus..... My son still has red marks on his arm where this bloke grabbed him!
Also it appears that when the driver braked, my son was thrown forward and got his hand caught in the bars above the seat, hurting his wrists, and also banging his shins (start praying that the bruising comes out overnight as police have suggested a visit to the doctors) and a few other children were hurt as well!!!!
I know one of the parents nad spoke to her earlier this evening, she will be ringing the bus company in the morning to complain and tell them about her sons injuries as a result fo the drivers actions!! He was literally thrown forwards over the hand bar on top of the seats and now his ribs hurt..... Should be some nice bruising showing there tomorrow too!
Police will be contacting said bus company to speak to the managers first thing tomorrow and said driver WILL BE arrested for assault! After all this is a 50 yr old bloke grabbing hold of children!!! Someone who is in a postion of responsibility and who works in the public sector too!!!
I am absolutely disgusted at this behaviour!!!
(Footnote - if you've got this far, you deserve a coffee and some cookies)
I have told the bus company I expect the driver be suspended immediately and a full investigation carried out!
Best bit was when leaving the school tho, I happened to pull out ibn front of a car and behind that was the bus! No if that car had not been between us, I would have stopped and got out..... but to my better judgement, I thought oit best to leave it to the police.... I can always say my piece to that driver any other time... and I will.....

so thoughts on a postcard please..... and remember dont move seats on the bus as you will be thrown arund like a ragdoll and the assaulted by the driver as well as being threatened by him too..... Well I hope he is sleepin soundly tonight!!! Because tomorrow is a whole new different ball game!
 
Woah. I appreciate this sounds serious but did you have more than a phone conversation with your son before starting the ball rolling? Just having been on school buses I know how the kids can behave and exaggerate things. Hope it all gets work out.
 
Well haven't had the coffee and cookies as have troughed enough today but you are quite right to be angry and upset.
That is absolutley appalling but you have done the right thing in reporting to Police.

Is the bus contracted by the school and if so they should be made aware (prob have if you were at school when you got call) and the County Council education dep't who set the contracts out to the bus companys.


I had a run in with our school bus company earlier this year when it is scheduled to drop the kids off at the stop at 3.49 but is usually there anytime from 4pm onwards. I am always there for 3.45 and just wait. one day it dropped mine and a friends 5yos off at the stop at 3.35pm beside a busy road + drove off!!( i know the time cos my frined saw it 1/4 mile up the road at that time). There wasn't an adult in sight, no older children dropped off etc. I was so shocked and upset but luckily the kids stayed rooted to the spot. I made zillions of phone calls / letters till I got a half way adequate response and shortly after the company went bust. I kept banging on asking what their procedures were and how they train their staff and they seemed worringly vague on both these points - as were County Council!! Your case is far more serious though.

There was something on TV a year ago or so doing an expose on bus companys doing school contracts and how many of them were cowboys, banned from driving etc. Its very worrying given the very precious cargo they are responsible for.

I hope you make some headway in the morning and hope the Police will take it seriously - am sure they will given assault on a minor, breach of duty of care etc etc.

I really hope your son is OK and not too traumatised poor little sod. You take care too!
 
At the end of the day this guy is in his fifties so by choosing to work as a school bus driver you would imagine/hope he had some idea of how kids can be, surely?

Bottom line is this is dangerous driving and extremely stupid and reckless behaviour. Someone could have not only been badly hurt but killed. It's happened before on school buses and sadly could happen again.

I would be absolutely LIVID if something happened like this to any of our family, I really would. To my mind you are spot on taking the action that you took. Kids will be kids - but adults really should act like adults and take responsibility for their actions. Hope this driver gets the book thrown at him and worse.
 
I am disgusted wto hear about the behaviour of that driver.... however rowdy school kids can get, there is no excuse to endanger their safety in that way.

Although its not very glamorous, being a bus driver is a position of great responsibility, and if the guy has a temper this short, I just wonder what would happen if he lost it with another road user!!!

I hope your son is ok, and the driver is made to at least write a full letter of apology!

x
 
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Woah. I appreciate this sounds serious but did you have more than a phone conversation with your son before starting the ball rolling? Just having been on school buses I know how the kids can behave and exaggerate things. Hope it all gets work out.

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My son rang me asking me to come back and get him.... and as for over exagerating, I've already spoken to other parents of children who travel on the bus and asked them what happend, and fortunately, ALL of them have said the same, my son merely changed seats to one in front and the driver slammed on the brakes causing not only my son to sustain a few injuries, but other children too!!!

This is also not a school bus - this is Public transport so the driver isn't contracted to the school..... Nice to know just how safe you are on public transport isn't it?

I am still awaiting a phone call from the owners/managers of this bus company...and I am totally disgusted by the fact that a member of their staff behaves in this manner and is not pulled off driving immediately.... however I am sure he will be today!

Having a foul temper myself, yes I'm not afraid to admit it, I would have quite happily gone off to find the driver last nght, in fact as I left the parents evening, I pulled out of the car park at the school, and behind me was another car and the bus and in my better judgement, I did not get out my car and go back to the bus.... however had the car behind not been there I would have!!!

So today I am waiting for the phone calls from the bus company.....and if the driver has not been suspended, I shall be contacting the newspapers!

At the end of the day, even if the children on the bus had been messing about, that still does not give an adult the right to man handle/assault a minor, nor behave in a threatening manner by saying I'll come back and find you when I am off duty! An adult should know better! especially an adult in a public service role!
 
Apparently there was an incident the day before with another road user, where this driver was concerned! Nice to know what kind of short fuse you are actually dealing with - however my fuse is a lot shorter, especially when it comes to my family and anyone endangering them or threatening them! Quite simply I wont settle for an apology as there has been problems with this driver before with other children - I will personally make sure he is never employed in a public service role again.
 
I'm glad I read your second post about it being Public Transport as I was going to say your son shouldn't have been out of his seat nor not wearing a seatbelt.

However, what was he doing out of his seat on a bus? What if the driver had had to break for a real emergency? Would you be berating the driver for having injured your son then?

Not condoning him physically touching your child.

Buses are awful places when full of schoolkids and I have every sympathy with the driver being angry, it can't be an easy job.

I stand by that if your son hadn't been out of his seat this wouldn't have happened.
 
OMG what an awful crappy thing to happen, I am not surprised you are raging.
Trouble is I guess bus drivers get such a raw deal from school kids in general, that he probably thought thats it, and went on a raging fit!
I do not accept he should behave in the manor he did though, that is totally unacceptable, he is a fifty yr old man who should know better!
I think he should be dealt with by the company etc.
But what an idiot for doing such stupid things!
Any way I hope your son is ok and getting over his ordeal.
Let us know what happens.
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I will personally make sure he is never employed in a public service role again.

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Bloody hell woman, calm down. You are calling for this mans head without even getting his side of the story. As for the company not getting back to you, ever thought that they might have been closed last night???
 
He was changing seats to one in front in readiness to get off at his stop..... You cant tell me people dont move from their seats approaching stops? i've seen in hundreds of times when people stand and walk down the bus approaching their stop! So in future, if the rule of staying in your seat is adhered to, does this mean that every bus driver in the country can purposely slam on their brakes causing injury to not only the person standing (even though my son was about 4 inches from touching the seat with his backside) but to all those that are firmly planted in seats???

You may well have every sympathy with the driver being angry, but at the end of the day, there is no reason for his actions whatsoever! And given the fact that he saw my son move seats and purposely slammed on the brakes knowing that my son was not quite sitting down is disgusting in itself..... A man of that age would obviously know what these actions could cause..... and quite simply was endangering not only my son but other passengers!
 
They weren't closed when I rang them!!!! And its common knowledge that a bus depot is not empty when buses are in service, therefore there was at least a supervisor around! given the fact they were aware of the incident, they should have acted quickly and not left things!
And as I have said in previous posts, I have spoken to other parents who have also been told what had happend by their own children, and they are all saying the same thing.... there was no reason for this behaviour.
Do you have children?
 
Pardon? Yes I do have a temper.... however my son does not! (then again I think most parents have a temper when it comes to things like this)

And as for questioning my manners??? Where does that come into it?
Are we as parents not allowed to protect and defend our children now?
If you find this type of behaviour acceptable then may I suggest you allow me to take your children out in my lorry horsebox and let them stand up so I can virtually catapult them through the windscreen by slamming on the brakes for no reason! and then can I physically manhandle them and threaten them that I will be back to get them later? and then make other comments displaying the fact that I intended to frighten them by asking where you frightened?

Oh and regarding what my son said to the driver.... he actually said that he was stupid for behaving in such a manner and putting the lives of his passengers i danger ! Quite a respectable and honest statement!
 
School buses are full kids, kids nowadays have no respect or manners, maybe your child wasn't doing or saying anything wrong, but unfortunately got the brunt of a driver wound up by other kids, we stopped our 12 year old using the bus because of out of control kids, my wife takes her in the car now, bollocks to the environment, my daughters well being comes first.

I had a problem with my horse about 3 years ago spooking at a school bus, guess what all the bastards did, open the windows and hissed at him winding him up more, if I had been able to get on the bus there would have been more than a few bruised arms and ribs, I WAS BLOODY STEAMING, there is always two sides to these types of arguments, perhaps we need to hear the bus drivers side.
 
Well I have just had a call from the bus company to let me know that the driver is being interviewed at 9.00am.... and interestingly they have had other parents on the phone complaining about this drivers actions yesterday and the injuries sustained by their children..... Having just spoken to another parent it is interesting to hear her sons account of things, which I hasten to add is exactly the same as my sons account!
The bus company has said they will call me back later today and are fully supportive of my complaint, expressing the fact that there was no excuse for this behaviour. Although I am a little puzzled by one question asked.... Did my driver swear? I wonder if there have been previous incidents concerning this driver to ask a question like this?
I shall update accordingly as the day goes on as to what is happening.
 
Oooo the old 'Do you have children' argument.

No, I don't but I am a Secondary Teacher and have been head of year nad had to deal with bus incidents on an almost daily basis. The behaviour of the driver is inexcusable if it is indeed true. But how are we to teach children to react calmly and maturly in such situations when we have parents berating other people under the guise of 'i'm just protecting my children'?
 
I totally support you here - I too used to have to get public transport to and from school. I went to a private school and their was one bus driver who obviously had a chip on his shoulder about posh kids. He was extremely rude and agressive, even going to far as to walk up the bus banging the hammer from the 'break glass in emergancy' on his hand threatening us if we ate any food on his bus. He made our journeys extremely frightening and unpleansant.

The company also agreed to pick up outside our school at 5:30 each evening. But the bus could be there anytime between 5:15 and 6:00 which meant we were often freezing in the rain at the end of a long school day for 45mins. A couple of times my sister missed the bus because it left early. Eventually my mother complained and the company responded by withdrawing the service.

One final example - I had saturday morning school and the bus would pick up outside school at 12:30 on a sat. I didn't catch this bus as I had a Saturday afternoon job in town, so I'd catch a later Saturday bus at 5:45. This one bus driver would refuse to let me use my bus pass for this 'later' pick up time, even though it was just about 2 stops further along the same route because he claimed my pass was 'invalid' unless I got picked up from school. Used to drive me mad that he would be so horrid to us, just because we went to private schools, when I was going to Sat morning school, then a job... hardly swanning about in the lap of luxury
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Bus drivers can be b*****rds to kids, I hope you manage to put a stop to this one's behaviour.

good luck
 
Awful, if true.

You have reported the incident, and made your views known. You will loose your dignity and credibility if you stomp about in rage! Theywill take one look atyou and think 'thats where the kid gets itfrom' and feel sympathy for the bus driver.

Kids behave like animals on school busses. Even more reason for kids to behave impecably, so they don't get tared with the same brush. They should not getup from their seats till the bus has stopped moving. If your son had not done this there would not be a problem.

How do you know the driver was not breaking for a genuine reason? The way school kids are on busses, there is always one or two kids standing up.
 
Haven't read the replies all the way through, however, knowing the child in question, it has to be said, his manners and attitude are 100% genuine, he wouldn't over exaggerate about something like this.

I think as a parent, if our child(ren) are hurt in anyway, its hard to stay calm. (My child is currently been bullied again at school, and yes I lost my temper with the Head last week, so unfortunately, it does happen).
 
Wasn't an arguement - was merely a question... and you must have the patinece of a saint to do your job as not all children are angelic little beings! especially at that age! (and I am not making my son out to be some sweet little cherub either)However through the whole incident I have acted calmly and maturely.... taking things the legal way and complaining to the bus company would be the mature route? Getting out of car in front of bus and smacking the driver wouldn't be.... and as much as I would llike to do that.... would like to think that I am a little more mature and have obviously taken the sensible option! And none of this "berating" has been done in front of my son! He was at home when he rang me, I was at the parents evening, any phone calls made were done then... not in front of him.... and believe it or not, they were conducted calmly as well..... it appears this morning that several other parents have also now complained to the bus company about yesterday so I dont think the truth need to be brought into question as I only know one of the childrens parents, so its not like we can all get together and make up the same version of events....
no doubt I shall know more towards this afternoon......
But as a parent - can I ask you one question as you dont have children?
Why choose a career like yours - I think most parents would think you were mad for doing that job!!! Either that or you have the patience of a saint!
 
My husband worksin transport and the first thing they ask is Did my driver swear, I think its a part of the contrct about Gross Misconduct So Iwould not readany more into that than them just asking you. I see these arguments from bot sides due to OH so have sympathy all round. Take pics of any injuries.
 
Well after reading your post this morning my daughter and I set off to local DIY store in my car.......I saw a bus approaching and as there were parked cars on the bus side of the road I stopped and flashed my lights to let the bus come through.
The bus came halfway and then stopped scewiff across the road and bus driver gestured to me to come through, I was trying to SQUEEZE through the gap she left and the bus driver put her two fingers up and told me to f*** off........I was astounded, so I said to her "did you just tell me to f*** off" and she said" Yes I did !!!!!!! now F*** off and learn to drive!!!"
I asked her name and she replied you dont need my name just the bus number.......at that she drove away!!!!!
I am still shocked that a representative of a company thinks they can talk to people in this way, the bus was packed and the passengers all looked surprised.
I have telephoned Travel West Midlands who have said they will investigate and I will get a written reply.......I have said this is not acceptable and I have asked for a manager to call me back.
What is wrong with these drivers????????
 
OMG - hope he get's disciplined. We used to have a driver for the collage bus who used to try and feel the girls up as we walked past - the company were usless about it and it wasn't until he was arrested for rape that he was sacked!!
 
how awful!While I fully understand how stressful it can be for bus drivers on the school time run, with kids shouting and messing around at times, that does not excuse what he did, and nothing excuses manhandling your son!
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I think you have dealt with it brilliantly, personally I would have wanted to rip the bus drivers head off, Im sure you probaby did to so well done for doing things properly.
 
Now that has made my day! So its not just me then!!! Good for you! I hope you will update us when they call back!!!
My father and mother worked on the buses when I was little and back then it was a job that held you in high regard of the general public... Now its just a job to some that do it!
The thing is word of mouth travels fast and now most of us when driving in your area, will remember your nice bus driver and how they behaved.... We pay for a service, a public service... not to be abused and yelled at by those in that position!
 
Yes I do want to rip his head off, but the little angel sitting on my left shoulder keeps reminding me that its not the way to go about things.... and that I should be good! however the little devil on my left shoulder is giving me lots of nice ideas for which I could get in trouble for! LOL!
 
M, I'd be VERY interested to find out which bus this was. Maybe you could pm me? Because I know there was an incident on one of our secondary school buses last night involving a young lad.
 
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