Twenty Inch
Guru
- Location
- Behind a desk
I've started a new thread as the old one was disintegrating.
A few weeks ago I posted the following email that I had sent to TfL re a Bus Driver in Bromley.
"Dear TfL
I would like to complain about the driver of bus registration PN06 UYO, route number 138, on Westmoreland Road in Bromley South at about 17.50 hours. The driver was an older white male, slim build, clean-shaven and short-haired, wearing glasses. The route is operated by Metrobus.
I was cycling towards Bromley South away from Hayes Lane, when the bus overtook me at about arm’s length, cutting in sharply to avoid the traffic island ahead. He stopped at the Cumberland Road busstop, where I caught up with him. I asked him why he passed so closely. His reply was aggressive and rude. When we set off again, he passed me again, even closer. This was a deliberate attempt to intimidate.
The Highway Code Rule 163 states drivers should only overtake when it is safe to do so. It also states that cyclists should be given as much room as a car when overtaking. The reason for this is simple- if I were to fall from my bike while the bus was overtaking that close, the bus would kill me. This is made clear in Highway Code rule 213: “Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.”
The driver’s subsequent aggression and second close pass convinced me that this driver is dangerous to other road users.
I will shortly be buying a helmet camera which I will use to record incidents of this sort. I will have no hesitation in reporting further incidents to the police as dangerous driving.
In the meantime, please let me know what training and guidance you give to bus drivers regarding vulnerable road users. Please also let me know what action you intend to take in this instance.
Regards"
I also copied the email to Jenny Jones, and sent a copy to Metrobus head office.
I've had no reply from TfL or Jenny Jones, but received the following letter from Metrobus:
"I write further to your correspondence about one of my drivers. I have had the issue you raised investigated and this has been entered into our internal disciplinary procedure.
The driver will be interviewed and evidence gained via our internal and external cameras, the driver will be dealt with in accordance to the case evidence and past records. All our staff are trained to a B Tec level which enables them to drive in London areas, part of the training is awareness and defensive driving, this will also be enforced with the new training levels of the forthcoming CPC legislation.
We at Metrobus are committed to delivering a secure and quality service for the areas that we serve. We strive to meet and beat this every day, and inevitably there are situations that arise which are beyond our immediate control, we do try to keep these to a minimum.
The incident to which you were exposed, clearly demonstrates that we still have some work to do in the extremely difficult times that affect our goals to maintain our quality levels as a quality bus provider.
I offer no excuse for any of my staff who fails to achieve that vision on our behalf; rest assured that they are dealt with when we become aware. I thank you for taking the time and trouble to write to me and let me know.
Please accept my apologies for your poor experience with Metrobus, please be assued that we will do our utmost to ensure ro recurrence of this ordeal.
Yours sincerely
Operations Manager."
I'd call that a result.
A few weeks ago I posted the following email that I had sent to TfL re a Bus Driver in Bromley.
"Dear TfL
I would like to complain about the driver of bus registration PN06 UYO, route number 138, on Westmoreland Road in Bromley South at about 17.50 hours. The driver was an older white male, slim build, clean-shaven and short-haired, wearing glasses. The route is operated by Metrobus.
I was cycling towards Bromley South away from Hayes Lane, when the bus overtook me at about arm’s length, cutting in sharply to avoid the traffic island ahead. He stopped at the Cumberland Road busstop, where I caught up with him. I asked him why he passed so closely. His reply was aggressive and rude. When we set off again, he passed me again, even closer. This was a deliberate attempt to intimidate.
The Highway Code Rule 163 states drivers should only overtake when it is safe to do so. It also states that cyclists should be given as much room as a car when overtaking. The reason for this is simple- if I were to fall from my bike while the bus was overtaking that close, the bus would kill me. This is made clear in Highway Code rule 213: “Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.”
The driver’s subsequent aggression and second close pass convinced me that this driver is dangerous to other road users.
I will shortly be buying a helmet camera which I will use to record incidents of this sort. I will have no hesitation in reporting further incidents to the police as dangerous driving.
In the meantime, please let me know what training and guidance you give to bus drivers regarding vulnerable road users. Please also let me know what action you intend to take in this instance.
Regards"
I also copied the email to Jenny Jones, and sent a copy to Metrobus head office.
I've had no reply from TfL or Jenny Jones, but received the following letter from Metrobus:
"I write further to your correspondence about one of my drivers. I have had the issue you raised investigated and this has been entered into our internal disciplinary procedure.
The driver will be interviewed and evidence gained via our internal and external cameras, the driver will be dealt with in accordance to the case evidence and past records. All our staff are trained to a B Tec level which enables them to drive in London areas, part of the training is awareness and defensive driving, this will also be enforced with the new training levels of the forthcoming CPC legislation.
We at Metrobus are committed to delivering a secure and quality service for the areas that we serve. We strive to meet and beat this every day, and inevitably there are situations that arise which are beyond our immediate control, we do try to keep these to a minimum.
The incident to which you were exposed, clearly demonstrates that we still have some work to do in the extremely difficult times that affect our goals to maintain our quality levels as a quality bus provider.
I offer no excuse for any of my staff who fails to achieve that vision on our behalf; rest assured that they are dealt with when we become aware. I thank you for taking the time and trouble to write to me and let me know.
Please accept my apologies for your poor experience with Metrobus, please be assued that we will do our utmost to ensure ro recurrence of this ordeal.
Yours sincerely
Operations Manager."
I'd call that a result.
