Dublin Bus Driver Insults Disabled Student

Flatzie_poo

Anyone else see this?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dublin-bus-probes-claim-that-driver-insulted-and-chased-disabled-student-34239202.html

Frankly it comes as no surprise to me - the majority of bus drivers I meet in the morning seem to hate their job.

Ruins it for the few who seem to enjoy what they do.

Hope the book is thrown at this driver if it's found to be legit.

After travelling to London recently, every bus driver/TFL employee I met seemed cheerful/to enjoy their job!

Made a nice change from the usual surliness I come across in Dublin!

Custardpi

Most dublin bus drivers I've encountered have been grand. Maybe not singing & dancing for joy but that's because they have to concentrate on operating a large & awkward vehicle. Bear in mind we're only getting one side of the story here.

I took someone in a wheelchair on Dublin bus the other day and the two bus drivers could not have been more helpful, from my one anecdote I have come to the conclusion every bus drives in Dublin is fantastic.

Azalea

If it happened like that or happened at all, then what a **** - deserves heavy reprimand.

But we only have the passenger's word for it. Seems rather far-fetched and unlikely. I'd reckon the bus driver was unpleasant to him but I'd question whether he went as far as claimed, and would wonder too whether the passenger was being unpleasant also.

LDN_Irish

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

After travelling to London recently, every bus driver/TFL employee I met seemed cheerful/to enjoy their job!

1: ****ing hell. I have never in me life seen anyone imply that London bus drivers are friendly or cheerful.

2: assuming you didn't make that up for the craic , maybe it's because Dublin bus drivers know they're gonna get a "thanks" regardless of how much of a **** they are. London bus drivers don't get that even if they give you a quick tug when you hop off.

Flatzie_poo

Custardpi wrote: »

Most dublin bus drivers I've encountered have been grand. Maybe not singing & dancing for joy but that's because they have to concentrate on operating a large & awkward vehicle. Bear in mind we're only getting one side of the story here.

I just don't see them providing the same level of service as I saw whilst in the UK.

Great to see smoking and music played on speakers not tolerated there. Direct intervention numerous times put an end to this. Too many times here in my experience, it's been left up to the passengers to say something.

You might be happy with "grand," but when I'm a paying customer I expect a little more.

Flatzie_poo

LDN_Irish wrote: »

1: ****ing hell. I have never in me life seen anyone imply that London bus drivers are friendly or cheerful..

No joke - was living in the Russell Square area, travelling to Fulham broadway in most cases - they were great!

arayess

we have one side to this story

the fact the complainant went to the press instead of allowing due process to take it's place first speaks volumes.
I automatically doubt his story is a full and frank version of events.

Menas

arayess wrote: »

we have one side to this story

the fact the complainant went to the press instead of allowing due process to take it's place first speaking volumes.
I automatically doubt his story is a full and frank version of events.

I agree. The time to go to the press is after the outcome of due process, if at all.

The bus driver could be innocent here but in the mean time this heaps undue pressure on him.

Custardpi

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

I just don't see them providing the same level of service as I saw whilst in the UK.

Great to see smoking and music played on speakers not tolerated there. Direct intervention numerous times put an end to this. Too many times here in my experience, it's been left up to the passengers to say something.

You might be happy with "grand," but when I'm a paying customer I expect a little more.

Although I would have gripes about Dublin Bus regarding the frequency of services (waiting 25 mins then 3 turning up at once on an "every 10 mins" route etc) once I'm actually on the bus the service I require is to be transported to my destination at the best speed possible & in a safe manner. I don't need anyone to tug their forelock at me. Are you the kind of person who gets miffed if a shop assistant doesn't call you "Sir"?

As for "directly intervening" in incidents, could that be because drivers know that they'll get little protection from the courts or the company? Doesn't London have a kind of dedicated transport police with statutory powers? The closest we have is those lads on the Luas who can basically do feck all to you.

Flatzie_poo

Custardpi wrote: »

As for "directly intervening" in incidents, could that be because drivers know that they'll get little protection from the courts or the company? Doesn't London have a kind of dedicated transport police with statutory powers? The closest we have is those lads on the Luas who can basically do feck all to you.

That could be it!

My comparison to London is solely level of service. If this is what makes the difference, I don't see why we shouldn't adopt the same modus operandi.

Again, for the record, I'm not slating all drivers here. My comments are all on the experiences I've been in over the years - I get everybody has different experiences.

Cienciano

I find it hard to believe that story myself

RayM

Azalea wrote: »

If it happened like that or happened at all, then what a **** - deserves heavy reprimand.

But we only have the passenger's word for it. Seems rather far-fetched and unlikely. I'd reckon the bus driver was unpleasant to him but I'd question whether he went as far as claimed, and would wonder to whether the passenger was being unpleasant also.

Taking a photograph of the driver as he got off the bus was a bit unnecessary and could easily be misinterpreted as threatening. Not that that would justify chasing him around the place and threatening to break a phone across his head, obviously. But there are probably more discreet ways of making a complaint - a lot of people seem to get added satisfaction from haughtily informing people that they'll be making an official complaint against them.

Captain Flaps

Having seen a bus driver question whether a guy struggling to climb onto a bus 'really couldn't lift his leg another couple of inches' to avoid activating the kneeler (for whatever reason), I don't find this particularly far fetched. Used to ride the bus daily for college and the occasional driver on certain routes was always cheerful but generally you'd get the impression the driver would like nothing better than to steer you all into oncoming traffic.

Lovely Bloke

Dublin Bus never take complaints seriously, so I applaud this customer for going to the press first, if it forces DB to do something about his complaint.

Duggy747

Will wait for more news on this story before setting fire to me pitchfork.

eviltwin

Whatever happened to just following procedures in this case and waiting to see what happened. Why do people feel the need to run to a newspaper before things have run their course?

LDN_Irish

Azalea wrote: »

If it happened like that or happened at all, then what a **** - deserves heavy reprimand.

But we only have the passenger's word for it. Seems rather far-fetched and unlikely. I'd reckon the bus driver was unpleasant to him but I'd question whether he went as far as claimed, and would wonder to whether the passenger was being unpleasant also.

The first part of the story I'd well believe. I have family with passes for "invisibly disabilities" and they've had the pass snatched out of thir hands and scrutinised. No problem with them examining it but it's the manner in which they've done it, and invented rules like "this doesn't have any photo on it! You'll need to show me photo ID too!" Which sounds like it's a reasonable rule but it's actually not a rule! There's no reason for a driver to demand that.

Where this lad lost me is where he has a disability that makes him extremely tired and wasting skeletal muscles but the bus driver couldn't catch him. Like really, that's is just not plausible.

DyldeBrill

I regularly get the Bus to and from work. I usually get the same bus driver and he's one of the nicest guys around. Always in good humour.

That said, I've met my fair share of brutes over the years. Last week one of the drivers drove right passed the bus stop, stopped a few yards down the road to let 6 or so people off. I ran up to the bus thinking the driver had obviously forgotten to stop at the bus stop, to which he closed the doors in my face and drove off. Don't know how some of these drivers get away with this sort of carry on. I'd send a legitimate complaint to Dublin Bus but I know the matter won't be taken seriously.

It's a pity because it's drivers like this that give a bad name for the friendly drivers of Dublin Bus.

Captain Flaps

LDN_Irish wrote: »

Like really, that's is just not plausible.

Probably not, but considering the physical condition of many of our bus drivers, it could be!

LDN_Irish

Captain Flaps wrote: »

Probably not, but considering the physical condition of many of our bus drivers, it could be!

"What with being rude and aggressive to all my passengers of a morning, I wouldn't really have time for the oul fitness ya know yourself."

MilesMorales1

I'm in the same boat as this young chap, I have a free travel pass for a disability not immediately apparent (I'm only 22) and I have also had a hard time off Dublin bus employees about it.

I know like, 90% of their drivers/inspectors are fine no bother, but the 10% are a right pain.

CosmicSmash

I have a funny feeling he thought he was a bit of a smart arse asking the driver if he could see his pass. Seems more interested in getting his story in the paper than anything else.

bonzodog2

I wouldn't call it acceptable behaviour, if true, but I was expecting a story about some kind of slur based on his disability. Just addressing him as "you smart c***" doesn't seem to fall in to that category. IMHO.

Custardpi

CosmicSmash wrote: »

I have a funny feeling he thought he was a bit of a smart arse asking the driver if he could see his pass. Seems more interested in getting his story in the paper than anything else.

Yes, while it may well be true (in which case the driver's an arse) but it does sound like exactly the sort of story which modern "journalism" thrives on.

"This Disabled Man Tried To Get On A Bus. What Happened Next Will Shock You!"

c_man

bonzodog2 wrote: »

I wouldn't call it acceptable behaviour, if true, but I was expecting a story about some kind of slur based on his disability. Just addressing him as "you smart c***" doesn't seem to fall in to that category. IMHO.

Agreed. My opinion of bus drivers is... pretty low, but in all the sh!te I've seen and heard them do, never witnessed them discriminating based on disability.

the groutch

sounds like the driver was taking his time inspecting the pass, which he is more than entitled to, there are plenty of forged or misused passes out there and this person has a disability that isn't immediately apparent.

I'm not condoning the actions of the driver, but the student didn't help things by firstly being a bit of a smart alec when the driver was inspecting the pass, and second trying to take the driver's photo which the driver expected to be used to shame/defame him.

Panthro

Jesus wept. Student needs to build a bridge and get over it.
Bus driver did what he's supposed to do, check the disability pass.
If the student has a problem with that let him go n shyte.

Baron Kurtz

Panthro wrote: »

Jesus wept. Student needs to build a bridge and get over it.
Bus driver did what he's supposed to do, check the disability pass.
If the student has a problem with that let him go n shyte.

And store it in his apartment for months!

beks101

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

After travelling to London recently, every bus driver/TFL employee I met seemed cheerful/to enjoy their job!

LOLOLOLOLOLZ
Are you talking about London, England? I take the bus twice a day here and I can't recall the last time I met a non-surly bus driver. They are famously miserable.

I never had any trouble with the Dublin lads. I mean you don't get onto a city centre bus that deals with all kinds of w@nker passengers and infuriating traffic on a daily basis expecting a rendition of Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round, just generally not being a rude ignorant arsehole is all you can ask for really.

This particular lad was clearly being antagonized by a passenger who seemed to revel in pissing him off. Not that he deserved the treatment, but two sides and all that.

Fukuyama

I must live along some magical bus corridor... every Dublin Bus driver I encounter is grand. I don't expect some phoney customer-centric cheerfulness.

You see the odd wanker be short with a tourist or driving like a maniac, but as someone who uses DB every day these occurrences only happen once or twice a year.

They also have a tough job. Not in the driving but they're quite isolated for much of their working day and the interactions they do have are brief, meaningless and often with junkies.

suicide_circus

How is one persons unsubstantiated claim about something worthy of an article? How is this news? The Indo keeping up its rag credentials.

Tarzana2

the groutch wrote: »

and second trying to take the driver's photo which the driver expected to be used to shame/defame him.

I know, would he have tried to get the driver's photo printed? Anyone would be pissed off at that.

Definitely would like to hear both sides of this story!

LDN_Irish

Fukuyama wrote: »

I must live along some magical bus corridor... every Dublin Bus driver I encounter is grand. I don't expect some phoney customer-centric cheerfulness.

Me too. 9 times out of 10 they're polite and pleasant enough for their job's purpose. You get the odd ballix but it's definitely not the rule. I never really thought about the isolation of it as a job but you make a good point there. I'm quite a chatty person so just saying hello and goodbye to hundreds of people a day would probably get to me after a while.

Then again I'm a "work from home dad" now so the only person I speak to during the day is 2 years old and my reprieve comes when I collect a 6 year old. that hasn't got to me. Nope. Not at aaaaalllll. *sobs*

ceannair06

"Disabled" and yet he was "chased" across the road ?

Sure.

Flatzie_poo

ceannair06 wrote: »

"Disabled" and yet he was "chased" across the road ?

Sure.

That's just ridiculous. Being disabled doesn't mean you can't run.

There are sprints in the Special Olympics ffs.

You wanna go and tell the association all those participants aren't disabled?

LDN_Irish

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

That's just ridiculous. Being disabled doesn't mean you can't run.

There are sprints in the Special Olympics ffs.

You wanna go and tell the association all those participants aren't disabled?

Agree that the wording on the previous posters post was poor, my brother is disabled and swims competetively. But, and I'm not an expert, I wouldn't have thought muscular distrophy sufferers would be winning many races? I thought it was quite a severe thing that drained you of energy and left you with very little power in your muscles. Is that right? Off to Google for me.

Flatzie_poo

LDN_Irish wrote: »

Agree that the wording on the previous posters post was poor, my brother is disabled and swims competetively. But, and I'm not an expert, I wouldn't have thought muscular distrophy sufferers would be winning many races? I thought it was quite a severe thing that drained you of energy and left you with very little power in your muscles. Is that right? Off to Google for me.

From Web MD;

wrote:

some people with MD enjoy a normal life span with mild symptoms that progress very slowly; others experience swift and severe muscle weakness and wasting, dying in their late teens to early 20s.

For the record - I don't know much about this either! Depends on the individual case it would seem from my 20 second research... and as was said, the health condition of the driver chasing plays a part

Yakkyda

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

I just don't see them providing the same level of service as I saw whilst in the UK.

Great to see smoking and music played on speakers not tolerated there. Direct intervention numerous times put an end to this. Too many times here in my experience, it's been left up to the passengers to say something.

You might be happy with "grand," but when I'm a paying customer I expect a little more.

I haven't seen anybody smoking on a bus in bloody years, I would say it's a very very rare occurrence these days tbh.

As for the speakers thing? Generally it tends to be upstairs, being played by piss ignorant teenagers(so it's invariably the ****test music) the driver is unlikely to hear it at the volume the passengers do. Doubt there's anything against it in the Dublin bus byelaws, so not an issue for the driver. Is fcukin annoying though.

LDN_Irish

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

From Web MD;



For the record - I don't know much about this either! Depends on the individual case it would seem from my 20 second research... and as was said, the health condition of the driver chasing plays a part

Jesus! I didn't know it could be fatal! That's awful.

I retract my previous statement about him escaping the driver being implausible. We're still only getting one side but it was unfair to imply it was that far fetched on those grounds.

end of the road

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

I just don't see them providing the same level of service as I saw whilst in the UK.

bit hard to when they aren't funded near enough to provide that level of service, or enough to even provide a service that dublin could justify (whatever that is)

Flatzie_poo wrote: »

Great to see smoking and music played on speakers not tolerated there.

really? you must be thinking of a different uk.

DyldeBrill wrote: »

Last week one of the drivers drove right passed the bus stop, stopped a few yards down the road to let 6 or so people off. I ran up to the bus thinking the driver had obviously forgotten to stop at the bus stop, to which he closed the doors in my face and drove off. Don't know how some of these drivers get away with this sort of carry on.

because technically they are under no obligation to let you on outside the bus stop. infact they probably aren't allowed to do it. if they do fair play to them but your not entitled to expect it

DEFTLEFTHAND

"I'll have a ****ing good look at this now, you smart ****"



I would have broke up laughing if he said that to me in a big Dub accent. So funny!! :D:D

the_syco

I asked him if he could see the pass.

"He then asked me to give him the pass and he turned on a light in his cab and said "I'll have a f****** good look at it now, you smart c***."

Sounds like the driver thought he was being a smart c*** when the person asked could he see the photo (small photo unknown distance away from the driver), and the driver called him up on it.

After looking at the photo, the driver let the person on.

When the person went to leave the bus, he took a photo of the driver. The driver took offence to this, and demanded that the person delete the photo. The driver then pursued the person demanding that the person deletes his photo.

the_syco

DyldeBrill wrote: »

Last week one of the drivers drove right passed the bus stop, stopped a few yards down the road to let 6 or so people off. I ran up to the bus thinking the driver had obviously forgotten to stop at the bus stop, to which he closed the doors in my face and drove off.

If the driver thinks that the bus is too full, they allow people off the bus in this manner to ensure that no more people get on.

Dyr

You see junkies waving bits of corn flakes packets at bus drivers and getting on because the drivers does'nt have'nt the balls to stop them, then you get the odd driver who compensates by acting the the little dictator with someone that does'nt look like they cause them any trouble

suicide_circus

Bambi wrote: »

You see junkies waving bits of corn flakes packets at bus drivers and getting on because the drivers does'nt have'nt the balls to stop them, then you get the odd driver who compensates by acting the the little dictator with someone that does'nt look like they cause them any trouble

Ah now, addicts need their free transport to get the clinic for their free drugs....or the post office for their free money...or the doctors for their free healthcare

KingBrian2

When you use the pass you have to swipe it against the machine. I find it does not always work, it often goes red. Now I could see how that would be discomforting if this passenger had used the machine and it did not work. To get upset at the driver is silly. The driver has to operate a vehicle and prevent spoofers from getting on the bus.

foggy_lad

Panthro wrote: »

Jesus wept. Student needs to build a bridge and get over it.
Bus driver did what he's supposed to do, check the disability pass.
If the student has a problem with that let him go n shyte.

The driver was being a prick and need to be taken away from any public facing role.

the_syco wrote: »

If the driver thinks that the bus is too full, they allow people off the bus in this manner to ensure that no more people get on.

They are also often ordered to bypass certain stops to save time but still have to stop and allow people off at those stops so they stop short of the stop or after the stop to allow people off the bus only.

Bambi wrote: »

You see junkies waving bits of corn flakes packets at bus drivers and getting on because the drivers does'nt have'nt the balls to stop them, then you get the odd driver who compensates by acting the the little dictator with someone that does'nt look like they cause them any trouble

I can't see such a cowardly prick trying that with one of the city's finest junkies!

KingBrian2 wrote: »

When you use the pass you have to swipe it against the machine. I find it does not always work, it often goes red. Now I could see how that would be discomforting if this passenger had used the machine and it did not work. To get upset at the driver is silly. The driver has to operate a vehicle and prevent spoofers from getting on the bus.

It appears this student has not been chosen yet as one of the lucky few to be awarded one of the new PPS + free travel cards.

Sand

end of the road wrote: »

because technically they are under no obligation to let you on outside the bus stop. infact they probably aren't allowed to do it. if they do fair play to them but your not entitled to expect it

He is entitled to expect the bus driver to stop at the bus stop. That's essentially his profession. Stopping at bus stops.

Gael23

I agree with what he says that as a young person that loos physically normal, drivers act strange. Now I have the new card so it can't happen anymore.

Jim Bob Scratcher

LDN_Irish wrote: »

The first part of the story I'd well believe. I have family with passes for "invisibly disabilities" and they've had the pass snatched out of thir hands and scrutinised. No problem with them examining it but it's the manner in which they've done it, and invented rules like "this doesn't have any photo on it! You'll need to show me photo ID too!" Which sounds like it's a reasonable rule but it's actually not a rule! There's no reason for a driver to demand that.

Where this lad lost me is where he has a disability that makes him extremely tired and wasting skeletal muscles but the bus driver couldn't catch him. Like really, that's is just not plausible.

Perhaps the bus driver is overweight and cannot run to far without getting out of breath or maybe he was afraid someone on the bus would drive off with it.