| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Can bus drivers legally refuse to allow a child to board without an oyster? | |
| Posted by: | Paul Cavanagh | |
| Date/Time: | 04/02/11 08:29:00 |
| The E5 is run by First Group Centrewest (or Worst Group as it is often called.) Their managing director is Adrian Jones and the parents of the child can write to him at: First London, B Block, 3rd Floor, Macmillan House, Paddington Station, London, W2 1TY. The danger of just making a complaint to the bus company is that the driver may be scapegoated. However, I think it is likely that he was operating under instructions and risks losing his job if he lets children on his bus in such circumstances. I would suggest doing a Freedom of Information Request to Transport for London - foi@tfl.gov.uk. Ask them to give details of any policy instructions given to bus companies about allowing children without cards to travel, instructions given to inspectors if they find children travelling free with the driver's permission and any penalties imposed on bus companies if this happens. The parents should also write or e-mail a brief note to Boris Johnson outlining the case and asking him what he is going to do to stop such things happening in the future and Ken Livingstone asking him what he would do if elected. Finally they might want to think about going to the press. They would be obliged to keep the child's identity private if asked - as would the other agencies mentioned above. |