A good response from First Bus

[MrHappyCyclist]

I got a good response from First Bus about this video:

View: http://youtu.be/abRWgh8f-6U

This is the letter I got from them yesterday:

I write in response to your email, in relation to the dangerous driving displayed of one of our driving staff operating bus number 37424 on 2 October 2012.

Firstly, may I say that I was shocked and extremely concerned to learn of this incident, and I am In full agreement that the drivers' actions were totally unacceptable, and could have potentially caused a road traffic accident.

I can confirm that the contents of your e—mail have been sent to Senior Management at our Bolton depot, along with the video evidence provided.

The actions described by you are of course totally unacceptable and as such, I can confirm that the driver has be Identified and a formal interview arranged as per Company Procedures to discuss the incident using the information you have kindly provided. I regret that I am unable to disclose the outcome of our disciplinary Procedures, due to the restrictions under that Data Protection Act, but you can rest assured that it will reflect the seriousness of your complaint.

We operate 750 buses in the Greater Manchester and these are operated by some 1,650 drivers. I can assure you that this incident is not representative of the Company, the vast majority of who do everything they can to represent the Company in a professional and safe manner.

I very much hope that you find this letter of assurance that we have taken this matter very seriously.

Please accept my sincere apologies for this regrettable incident and the distress caused to you, and if you were to encounter any further problems please do not hesitate to contact First.

Yours sincerely

I think they really are trying to do something about their bad driving reputation among cyclists. They have a very switched on Chief Operating Officer called Jeroen Weimar who seems to be taking a personal interest in this issue.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I think a free travel voucher would have sorted it.

 

[ianrauk]

I am dumbstruck at how close he was to you just before the first pass.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I am dumbstruck at how close he was to you just before the first pass.

It was a she, but yes, I could hardly believe it either. Her petulant attitude suggested it was all deliberate as well.

 

[MrJamie]

Great result and crazy close overtake, wouldnt have taken a lot for you to have fallen under those wheels if you werent particularly competent.

I did laugh a little at around the 1 minute marker where it switches to rear view and you can see another cyclist in the background riding up the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Great result and crazy close overtake, wouldnt have taken a lot for you to have fallen under those wheels if you werent particularly competent.

I did laugh a little at around the 1 minute marker where it switches to rear view and you can see another cyclist in the background riding up the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic

Yes, I noticed that when I edited the video. Perhaps she was punishing us cyclists for his riding on the wrong side of the road.

 

[growingvegetables]

I think they really are trying to do something about their bad driving reputation among cyclists.

+1

 

[Leedsbusdriver]

With regard to the video,all i can say is WOW Nice result though

 

[Leedsbusdriver]

+1

Had a look round Youtube and haven't seen any Leeds buses behaving badly round cyclists lately,which is a very good thing i think.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Awful pass with the usual cut-in,sorry couldn't view this when I commented earlier on mobile.

Why the f'kin hell couldn't she wait to get to the bus stop instead of dong a dangerous overtake?

 

[growingvegetables]

Had a look round Youtube and haven't seen any Leeds buses behaving badly round cyclists lately,which is a very good thing i think.

Hmmm - there's been one or two? But First only figures among the good guys

 

[User6179]

Had a few silly passes by first bus buses myself and always wondered if the drivers get a bonus for being on time ?

Even had one block the road so I couldnt undertake as it was stationary in traffic , i thought it was dropping someone off and after about a minute realised he was parked against the kerb to stop me passing(the road was wide enough for two buses side by side).

The driver in the video should change jobs as i think any multi-drop driver (bus,taxi,lorry) needs a lot of patience which she clearly dosnt have!

 

[400bhp]

That bit is often used and quoted by HR twonks but is actually bull... there's nothing stopping them from telling you the outcome of the disciplinary procedures.

In particular if they don't mention the individual by name.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Was it the driver giving you the fingers during the first stop?

 

[400bhp]

What a stupid overtake.