Dangerous Bus Driver (yes another one)

[Angelfishsolo]

If I detect a tongue in the check I agree. My recent dealings with the plod over some serious offences carrie3d out against me have led me to believe that the service is either corrupt, incompetent or both.

like the police would pass on a complaint without those details ...

 

[Scratch]

I've received a response from National Express you can see it below. It seems to be defending the driver somewhat so looks like I'll have to send them a responce. Anyway what do you all think?

Dear Mr *
Re Incident on 30 October on Lichfield Road between Grosvenor Court and Rocky Lane.

Thank you for your letter dated 31 October together with CD sent to Neil Barker.

I am very sorry to hear of the alarming incident which involved one of our drivers on number 65 bus on 30 October. It must have been an unpleasant experience.

I forwarded your complaint to the Assistant Operations Manager at Perry Barr Garage who subsequently performed a detailed investigation with the driver concerned. The driver has been interviewed and his previous performance record has been reviewed. The manager will decide what action to take. This might mean extra training or disciplinary action. The decision must remain confidential but I can assure you that all driver incidents are followed through to a conclusion.

Whilst acknowledging an incident did take place, the driver has asked me to stress that under no circumstances did he intend to intimidate or compromise your safety with his actions. He apologises for any stress he may have caused.

I also obtained an independent witness statement from a passenger on the number 65 bus at the time the incident took place, who indicated an ongoing dispute between yourself and the bus driver from just after the train station on Lichfield Road to Dartmouth Circus. The witness describes a heated exchange by both parties which eventually concluded with you continuing your journeys via separate routes.

Our drivers are expected to be polite, helpful and courteous at all times and it is therefore very disappointing to hear about incidents like this. I appreciate your comments in relation to your previous experiences with our drivers. I am pleased these have all been safe, courteous and professional encounters and I trust that this will continue to be the case in the future.

With regard to your request to retain CCTV footage from this service, we have asked the garage manager to store the tape for future reference, should this be required.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Did you have a "Heated exchange"? Even if you did it does not excuse his actions. I certainly think they are trying to pacify you with platitudes and if I were in your position I would not not let the matter drop.

Good luck.

Dave

I've received a response from National Express you can see it below. It seems to be defending the driver somewhat so looks like I'll have to send them a responce. Anyway what do you all think?

 

[cheadle hulme]

I don't think that's good enough, but don't know what else to suggest.
If camera evidence cannot get a better outcome than this, then theres little point having one.


"Did not intend to intimidate"?????????

 

[domd1979]

It isn't their standard reply, that's for sure - quite a detailed reply for TWM. There's no way they'll admit liability, nor will they disclose what action they've taken with the driver, but I'd be reasonably certain he's had a bollocking.

The bit about the witness is interesting. Did anything occur by the railway station? - your video starts just after the station.

I've received a response from National Express you can see it below. It seems to be defending the driver somewhat so looks like I'll have to send them a responce. Anyway what do you all think?

 

[HF2300]

It seems to be defending the driver somewhat...

I don't know, I think the manager would have to remain even handed; he's just not really saying anything concrete about the outcome of the investigation or the action taken or to be taken, which is disappointing.

The only bit that sounds really pro-driver is the 'asked me to stress that...any stress he may have caused' section. I think the manager's probably got to pass that on whatever he thinks actually happened, but I can't help feeling the driver would say that, wouldn't he.

Does the bit about a passenger witness sound a bit fishy, though? How many bus passengers are traceable this long after - except those known to the driver?

If you are going to respond, keep your cool and reply analytically, though, even if you still think it's biased. I don't see why you shouldn't press for their conclusions and what action they took, or ask if they reviewed the camera footage. You could also ask what they intend to do re. ongoing general driver training to ensure no repeats of this incident.

 

[Bollo]

I think that reply is BS given the footage. I'm never one to hold out for action by plod, but the threat of it might get a more proactive response. You could start by asking for the name and address of the witness so you can pass it on to the police. That might stir them into action.

 

[domd1979]

I'd hazard a guess that the witness is another driver travelling on the bus. I can't see your average 65 passenger volunteering their name and address to the driver in case he needs it.

 

[Scratch]

No I didn't. If you watch the video with sound you can hear that I didn't say anything to the driver. I've written a strong response to National Express. I may post it on here tomorrow.

Did you have a "Heated exchange"? Even if you did it does not excuse his actions. I certainly think they are trying to pacify you with platitudes and if I were in your position I would not not let the matter drop.

Good luck.

Dave

 

[CopperBrompton]

The important thing is that they have acknowledged that there is cctv footage and agreed to store it for the police to view.

Ben

 

[BentMikey]

You might like to provide them with all the footage from earlier than the point they mention just to prove whether the driver and his witness are lying?

I would be very tempted to point out this topic on cyclechat to them, and mention quite how badly it reflects on their company. There's simply no excuse whatsoever for the driving in your video even if there had been a heated exchange (which I doubt), IMO it is homicidal driving, and that driver doesn't deserve to continue driving a bus with that sort of behaviour.

 

[magnatom]

No I didn't. If you watch the video with sound you can hear that I didn't say anything to the driver. I've written a strong response to National Express. I may post it on here tomorrow.

Do you actually have a copy of the video then? If so are you allowed to post it? I assume you would be, but I could be wrong...

 

[Scratch]

No, I meant my own video, the mic is right by my head and it doesn't pick up anything because I didn't say anything. I did send the full unedited video with my original letter, I'm making sure to remind them that they should watch that to see what happened prior to and during the incident. They could even watch their own tape if they needed anymore evidence.

I could post the whole video on youtube but there isn't much else to see. The video starts at the train station they refer to and I only cut out a bit of me crossing an island and cycling a bit down the roadd.

Unless someone from the public wrote in as well I think the passenger probably was another bus driver

Do you actually have a copy of the video then? If so are you allowed to post it? I assume you would be, but I could be wrong...

 

[magnatom]

No, I meant my own video, the mic is right by my head and it doesn't pick up anything because I didn't say anything. I did send the full unedited video with my original letter, I'm making sure to remind them that they should watch that to see what happened prior to and during the incident. They could even watch their own tape if they needed anymore evidence.

I could post the whole video on youtube but there isn't much else to see. The video starts at the train station they refer to and I only cut out a bit of me crossing an island and cycling a bit down the roadd.

Unless someone from the public wrote in as well I think the passenger probably was another bus driver

As far as I am aware, under the freedom of information act (someone will come along to correct me) you have the right to footage that they hold in which you are in. They cannot refuse to give it to you. You just need to make a formal request, under the act, to receive the video.

Could someone in the know confirm this?

 

[domd1979]

CCTV comes under Data Protection Act (FoI applies only to public bodies), which they should supply on request if you are in the footage. I think they can make a charge, which iirc is a tenner maximum.

As far as I am aware, under the freedom of information act (someone will come along to correct me) you have the right to footage that they hold in which you are in. They cannot refuse to give it to you. You just need to make a formal request, under the act, to receive the video.

Could someone in the know confirm this?