| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Can bus drivers legally refuse to allow a child to board without an oyster? | |
| Posted by: | Samantha Tubbritt | |
| Date/Time: | 04/02/11 16:40:00 |
| Thank you for all your replies - especially Paul, your information has been most helpful. I am the parent and am really angry with this driver. I dropped my daughter to the bus stop and off she went to get on her bus. I noticed that she stopped next to the driver and saw him waving his hands around, making poking gestures and slapping one hand with the other. I started making my way over to the bus, then I saw my daughter get back off and she was crying. By the time I got to the bus stop the driver had closed the doors and driven off. He had shouted at her that she had to pay or get off, and couldn't have cared less that she had been pickpocketed. She said that she had to get to school but he simply said get off. I contacted the First depot in Greenford only to be told that the driver didnt have to let her on, that school uniform does not give anyone the right to travel free and that they werent prepared to discuss things further of take my details. I then tried the First Head office, Who had no interest in my complaint and kept repeating "contact TFL, contact TFL" I was not satisfied with this so completed the online complaints form, still no response. I understand that she is not entitled to free travel just because she has a school uniform on, and that she is not entitled to free travel without the oyster zip. But how dare he shout at her - or at anyone for that matter?? But I am angry that an 11 year old girl that was crying on a bus was turned away. Had the driver allowed her to board and taken her details so as to claim the fare back from me, I would have been most grateful and more than happy to pay. But surely it is common sense to try and help an unaccompanied child in distress? Is the bus fare worth more than a childs safety? Had i not been nearby she would have had a long walk either to school or back home. I remember the story that someone else mentioned of an older child who was refused entry to a bus and was attacked as a result. That should have served as a lesson to be learnt from. Her school has been most helpful and the Police Officer attached to the school will approach the company of the bus she was pickpocketed on and ask that their CCTV be checked. So I will just have to wait and see what response - if any - I get. |