Complaint to First Busses

[XmisterIS]

A penny for your thoughts:

Dear Sir/Madam,

At approximately 5:30pm on 15th Sept 2011, I was cycling along Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham in the direction of the A27 when I was approached from behind and followed by one of your busses with registration plate **** ***. I was riding over to the left hand side of the road, I was not obstructing traffic, yet the bus was no more than two feet away from my rear wheel, making it impossible for me to slow down or move out of the way for fear of being run over. As I passed Gifford Close, the driver overtook me with less than 6 inches to spare, forcing me off the road and into the entrance to Gifford Close. The driver then began to pull back in when approximately half of the bus had passed me, and in so doing nearly hit me.

You will observe from a map of the location of the incident that Gudge Heath Lane is not only straight, but in the region of Gifford Close it also has an unobstructed view South. Furthermore, there was no oncoming traffic at the time of the incident, therefore the driver could easily have given me plenty of room, however he or she seems to have chosen instead to drive around me in what could be considered a deliberately aggressive and unprovoked manner.

I will not speculate on the driver's motives, however I suggest their driving at the time of the incident was at best unprofessional and, at worst, nothing less than almost lethal. I could very easily have been dragged under the wheels of the bus due to the driver's apparently reckless and dangerous driving.

Yours faithfully,

XmisterIS.

 

[DTD]

I hate First Bus with a vengeance, I walk rather than have to use them.
Hope you get a decent response.

 

[downfader]

I hate First Bus with a vengeance, I walk rather than have to use them.
Hope you get a decent response.

Everyone who knows me knows I'm pro-bus. I rarely see a problem with First down here in Southampton (I might even have video somewhere of their good driving practice here). If I thought they were a problem I wouldnt use them.

A penny for your thoughts:

Dear Sir/Madam,

At approximately 5:30pm on 15th Sept 2011, I was cycling along Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham in the direction of the A27 when I was approached from behind and followed by one of your busses with registration plate **** ***. I was riding over to the left hand side of the road, I was not obstructing traffic, yet the bus was no more than two feet away from my rear wheel, making it impossible for me to slow down or move out of the way for fear of being run over. As I passed Gifford Close, the driver overtook me with less than 6 inches to spare, forcing me off the road and into the entrance to Gifford Close. The driver then began to pull back in when approximately half of the bus had passed me, and in so doing nearly hit me.

You will observe from a map of the location of the incident that Gudge Heath Lane is not only straight, but in the region of Gifford Close it also has an unobstructed view South. Furthermore, there was no oncoming traffic at the time of the incident, therefore the driver could easily have given me plenty of room, however he or she seems to have chosen instead to drive around me in what could be considered a deliberately aggressive and unprovoked manner.

I will not speculate on the driver's motives, however I suggest their driving at the time of the incident was at best unprofessional and, at worst, nothing less than almost lethal. I could very easily have been dragged under the wheels of the bus due to the driver's apparently reckless and dangerous driving.

Yours faithfully,

XmisterIS.

I'm always saddened to see or hear of First and other companies driving badly in other areas. Its a good letter and I hope it has the desired effect. Looking at the road layout on GSV and taking the conditions you mention into account I'd wonder what the hell he was playing at..?

 

[400bhp]

Good letter-perhaps just add "approximately" or "around" in front of your 6 inches and 2 feet distances.

 

[Jezston]

Do you remember what bus number it was? That might speed them up in narrowing it down.

Always glad First don't operate in my area!

Keep us updated.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

Less is more, you have put far too much information in the letter.

Short and simple is the answer, the first thing I did when I saw three huge paragraphs of text was ignore them, a busy manager would do the same.

 

[BSRU]

Speed of reporting it can be important, to ensure any bus cctv video is still available.

 

[growingvegetables]

Speed of reporting it can be important, to ensure any bus cctv video is still available.

+1 - get it in fast

Use http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/hampshire/help_contact/contact_us/ by all means - but the twice I've done that (here in Leeds), I had no response.

Going through West Yorkshire Metro brought a swift reply direct from the Operations Director, by e-mail and phone (aye, and his e-mail address for future use ).

 

[growingvegetables]

**** - Hampshire county council doesn't look very helpful

Dunno - I'd still complain, or at least copy your complaint, on the off chance that it's a bus service supported under contract; just guessing it'll make First that bit more careful in replying, when an important revenue stream also knows?

 

[downfader]

**** - Hampshire county council doesn't look very helpful

Dunno - I'd still complain, or at least copy your complaint, on the off chance that it's a bus service supported under contract; just guessing it'll make First that bit more careful in replying, when an important revenue stream also knows?

Thats because they, just as with the Councillers in the city here, are only in it for the money. They dont give a stink about services, hence the massive cutbacks.

 

[2PedalsTez]

A penny for your thoughts:

Dear Sir/Madam,

At approximately 5:30pm on 15th Sept 2011, I was cycling along Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham in the direction of the A27 when I was approached from behind and followed by one of your busses with registration plate **** ***. I was riding over to the left hand side of the road, I was not obstructing traffic, yet the bus was no more than two feet away from my rear wheel, making it impossible for me to slow down or move out of the way for fear of being run over. As I passed Gifford Close, the driver overtook me with less than 6 inches to spare, forcing me off the road and into the entrance to Gifford Close. The driver then began to pull back in when approximately half of the bus had passed me, and in so doing nearly hit me.

You will observe from a map of the location of the incident that Gudge Heath Lane is not only straight, but in the region of Gifford Close it also has an unobstructed view South. Furthermore, there was no oncoming traffic at the time of the incident, therefore the driver could easily have given me plenty of room, however he or she seems to have chosen instead to drive around me in what could be considered a deliberately aggressive and unprovoked manner.

I will not speculate on the driver's motives, however I suggest their driving at the time of the incident was at best unprofessional and, at worst, nothing less than almost lethal. I could very easily have been dragged under the wheels of the bus due to the driver's apparently reckless and dangerous driving.

Yours faithfully,

XmisterIS.

My bet is the driver was in a hurry (having been delayed through their route). I had the misfortune of driving from Fareham town towards Highlands Road, but to my error, I drove via the leisure centre and along Kiln road... the traffic was a nightmare! Perhaps the bus had taken this route too?

Either way, that must have been pretty shocking driving as I assume you would have been picking up speed, so for the driver to feel the need to overtake so soon seems a little 'urgent'.
I have had a run-in before with with a bus nearby (similar thing, where my elbow was touching the side of the bus as he overtook). Sadly for him, he didn't factor that I could catch up with him! When I asked why he felt the need to drive so close, I got the answer of "You shouldn't even be on the road".

 

[XmisterIS]

When I asked why he felt the need to drive so close, I got the answer of "You shouldn't even be on the road".

Some people really do beggar belief.

I have sent the letter, in writing, to head office, with a brief one-sentence summary at the top of the letter to catch their attention. We'll see what happens!