Incidents with FirstYork... x2
- Thread starter Bigsharn
- Start date
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Leedsbusdriver
Every breath leaves me one less to my last
- Location
- West Yorkshire
The Smith System has been used in Leeds for 2 and a half years now wiggydiggy.If you ever get on a First bus in Leeds (or anywhere in the country for that matter) look for 3 little lights on the top right of the drivers dashboard.If the light is green it means the driver is driving "green" and in the view of the Smith system driving safely.One thing " First is committed to the safety of its customers and other road users. We are reassessing the standards of our drivers through a programme of advanced defensive driving called the Smith's system and we are confident the safety of our services will only increase as we progress with this training." thing I think she means they are actually using this company called 'Smith System' to train their drivers rather than 'the' Smith System. http://www.smith-system.com/about/our_company/
might contact First Leeds again to see if they have plans to do the same.
Good luck with getting a personal apology from her, I'd be tempted to send her a pair of glasses though
If the light is red get off and wait for the next bus
annedonnelly
Girl from the North Country
- Location
- Canonbie
I've also had good responses from Arriva in the north east - ditto on the mystery passengers - although the incidents I've reported weren't cycling related.
I have informed Arriva when I've seen a driver giving loads of space to cyclists and they were grateful for comments and said they'd pass them on to the driver.
TonyEnjoyD
Guru
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
No idea but at leat we are being heard in some shape or form.
wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
The Smith System has been used in Leeds for 2 and a half years now wiggydiggy.If you ever get on a First bus in Leeds (or anywhere in the country for that matter) look for 3 little lights on the top right of the drivers dashboard.If the light is green it means the driver is driving "green" and in the view of the Smith system driving safely.
If the light is red get off and wait for the next bus
What! Get on a bus, lol Actually I do use them from time to time as my metrocard comes with 'yorkshire bus travel', useful at times. As for getting off and waiting for the next one frankly I'm shocked if one turns up at all, or even on time so I'm not getting off once on.
This system does it register if a bus passes you at >35mph, within 2 feet of your elbow and then when approached if the bus driver shuts their window and indicates you should 'go away' with their hands?
My letter is real, lacking a scanner I cant reproduce it for you.
wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
I don't disagree to be honest, but I have it and can refer back to it in case of problems in the future. I wish I had done the same with an incident last year where the driver actually left his cab to shout at me (me in primary, he couldnt pass approaching lights) but the lights changed and I left him blocking the road.
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Hmmm - honestly Bigsharn, I'd be "less than happy" with that response you've got from First York?
It's kinda laughable that a major corporation should get their communication so badly wrong. Either the company is "committed to the safety of its customers and other road users," or it's (trying to be) adept at not giving a ******* ****.
1. Their first response "Many thanks for contacting us with regards to the poor driving standards of two of our drivers". Their third response "Please accept my sincere apologies about the alleged poor driving standards of two of drivers".
A chance to show unequivocally that the company expects professional standards of its drivers - replaced by unnecessary alarm bells about word-game fluff. How silly.
2. "The drivers in question will be interviewed in line with our disciplinary procedure." Good. If the driver did nothing dangerous or unprofessional, s/he deserves the right to keep their professional reputation clean.
3. But - "due to employee confidentiality, I am unable to disclose the form of action that will be taken." That's b****x; and only damages the company's credibility. There's nothing to stop First saying "the driver" (no names) has been reprimanded, taken off the road for extra training, or whatever was regarded as appropriate. Fact - First can and have done so (to their credit).
4. The blandness of their "reassurance" about the Smith's system is just daft. It takes 5 seconds to Google it, and find what the corporation is selling/teaching. Ffs - they've got internet inside First; do they really think cyclists don't? Smiths are marketing no more than any safe and sensible cyclist knows in their bones!
Those two First drivers put a cyclist's safety and life at risk because they thought they knew better than the HC, and Smiths, and their managers.
5. As for the company asking for a driver to apologise, no problem with them not being able to ask her to do so.
I'm just disgusted that she didn't immediately offer an apology? Aye, and if I were her manager, I'd mark her ignorant failure to do so (unprompted) as a very significant additional concern about her lack of professional driving standards.
6. First were unable to view the videos because they're blocked by corporate IT policies? Really? Whoever suggested that deserves a new job - sweeping the bus park with a tooth brush (from which I have personally removed all but two bristles). Two simple options, Mr/Ms Lead Customer Services Agent - talk to the IT department, or (ffs) "take the initiative" to look at the videos at home?
It's just so silly on the part of First - get it right, and they earn respect and understanding. Get it wrong - and they only reinforce very, very strongly their traditionally poor image.
It's kinda laughable that a major corporation should get their communication so badly wrong. Either the company is "committed to the safety of its customers and other road users," or it's (trying to be) adept at not giving a ******* ****.
1. Their first response "Many thanks for contacting us with regards to the poor driving standards of two of our drivers". Their third response "Please accept my sincere apologies about the alleged poor driving standards of two of drivers".
A chance to show unequivocally that the company expects professional standards of its drivers - replaced by unnecessary alarm bells about word-game fluff. How silly.
2. "The drivers in question will be interviewed in line with our disciplinary procedure." Good. If the driver did nothing dangerous or unprofessional, s/he deserves the right to keep their professional reputation clean.
3. But - "due to employee confidentiality, I am unable to disclose the form of action that will be taken." That's b****x; and only damages the company's credibility. There's nothing to stop First saying "the driver" (no names) has been reprimanded, taken off the road for extra training, or whatever was regarded as appropriate. Fact - First can and have done so (to their credit).
4. The blandness of their "reassurance" about the Smith's system is just daft. It takes 5 seconds to Google it, and find what the corporation is selling/teaching. Ffs - they've got internet inside First; do they really think cyclists don't? Smiths are marketing no more than any safe and sensible cyclist knows in their bones!
Those two First drivers put a cyclist's safety and life at risk because they thought they knew better than the HC, and Smiths, and their managers.
5. As for the company asking for a driver to apologise, no problem with them not being able to ask her to do so.
I'm just disgusted that she didn't immediately offer an apology? Aye, and if I were her manager, I'd mark her ignorant failure to do so (unprompted) as a very significant additional concern about her lack of professional driving standards.
6. First were unable to view the videos because they're blocked by corporate IT policies? Really? Whoever suggested that deserves a new job - sweeping the bus park with a tooth brush (from which I have personally removed all but two bristles). Two simple options, Mr/Ms Lead Customer Services Agent - talk to the IT department, or (ffs) "take the initiative" to look at the videos at home?
It's just so silly on the part of First - get it right, and they earn respect and understanding. Get it wrong - and they only reinforce very, very strongly their traditionally poor image.
classic33
Leg End Member
The letter seems fine. Whether or not she believed that you had to stay in a cycle lane (which is an issue in itself for someone who holds a PSV license), overtaking too close because you are not in the lane as a punishment is even worse than doing it by accident. I'm not sure if overtaking you at that point is in itself an offence, as you may have been doing less than 10mph, but passing too close is.
It might be worth finding where the emergency engine cut-off button is on the buses though for future incidents(the P&R bus has one just above the indicator on the back left hand corner)
Assuming they use the same buses in Leeds, the engine cut out/kill switch is mounted under the engine cover. Nearly all these covers are alarmed however
TBH, if I was on one of hese busses I wouldn't be alarmed, I'd be ****ing terrified!
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Yup - same in Leeds. Too many problems with school kids who thought it was funny to try them.
