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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be very impressed by this coach drivers zero tolerance stance?

112 replies

SmellsLikeTeenArmpit · 27/10/2025 11:52

Travelling home on a National Express coach this morning.

When we had all boarded, the driver did a couple of safety announcements and then she said "Headphones must be used if you're watching or listening to anything on this coach, nobody else wants to hear your music, and believe me I won't hesitate to stop at a service station and make you get off if you ignore this".

Someone near the front just started having a conversation on loudspeaker and the driver immediately yelled "turn that off please, you all heard what I said before we departed Victoria" Grin Loudspeaker was switched off and peace reigns again.

I might actually email NX and tell them how much I appreciate her, in the hope that they encourage all their drivers to take the same stance.

OP posts:
HardworkSendHelp · 27/10/2025 12:33

Awesome legend driver! All bus drivers, train drivers and pilots should do this

UnctuousUnicorns · 27/10/2025 12:32

Soontobe60 · 27/10/2025 11:55

We had a similar message when we got a coach down to Southampton for a cruise - with the addition of “no solids down the onboard toilet please - no one wants to smell your poo” 😂

What the fuck are you meant to do on a ten hour journey if you need to take a shit at some point? Considering the average age of a lot of cruise passengers, I'd say the likelihood of being able to hold on for hours would be slim. Fucking idiot (the driver).

Crinkle77 · 27/10/2025 12:32

MinnieBaldock · 27/10/2025 12:04

I used to get a coach every day and someone had done a poo in the toilet and it really was very unpleasant. The windows on coaches dont open. Dont people go before they go out.

Perfect example of my post above. How are you supposed to go on demand? If I don't need to go I cant force it out.

Dollymylove · 27/10/2025 12:31

Soontobe60 · 27/10/2025 11:55

We had a similar message when we got a coach down to Southampton for a cruise - with the addition of “no solids down the onboard toilet please - no one wants to smell your poo” 😂

What if you desperately need a dump? 😅

whynotwhatknot · 27/10/2025 12:31

good on her wish normal bus drivers would do the same dont need to hear othe rpeoples cconversations/music

Original poster
SmellsLikeTeenArmpit · 27/10/2025 12:31

Just to confirm this driver said nothing at all about the toilet other than to point at back of the coach and say where it is!

Pooing in a toilet is far less antisocial and more necessary than playing shitty mobile games at full volume or having loud video calls with your sister etc.

OP posts:
ldnmusic87 · 27/10/2025 12:30

Love that!

Crinkle77 · 27/10/2025 12:29

RichardMarxisinnocent · 27/10/2025 11:58

Umm, so what if you need to poo during the journey? Do they expect you to soil yourself?

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Mumsnet expects people to be able to control when they do and don't poo. I have bowel issues and certainly can't control when I need to go to the toilet and it can be quite urgent.

Mapletree1985 · 27/10/2025 12:27

MinnieBaldock · 27/10/2025 12:04

I used to get a coach every day and someone had done a poo in the toilet and it really was very unpleasant. The windows on coaches dont open. Dont people go before they go out.

You can't force it, it's bad for you.

Talltreesbythelake · 27/10/2025 12:24

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 27/10/2025 11:59

I was wondering the same thing.
It's an odd thing for the driver to say.
It's not like they have to clean the loos themselves.

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Yes they do. On my last trip the driver announced that he would be buying a toilet brush as someone had made a big mess in the loo. It stunk out the coach, too. Most people can wait to use the services. This was a kid in a hurry.

angelos02 · 27/10/2025 12:23

Ah - I didn't realise. I'm not glued to mine like some people are so hopefully my brain isn't fried.

Ponoka7 · 27/10/2025 12:22

@angelos02 this started after the harmful over use of a mobile, on the brain was discovered.

Iamnotalemming · 27/10/2025 12:22

I wish they made similar announcements on the trains.

CatMum27 · 27/10/2025 12:22

Sounds like my type of coach driver! To be fair she’s probably fed up of listening to videos/conversations/music herself.

I would send a message with positive feedback. I’ve done similar - once the other week when the driver refused to leave the stop until an entitled man moved from my booked and paid for seat, and another time when he turned the lights on and woke everyone up when I couldn’t find a seat to remind them that unless their bag had a ticket it should not be occupying a seat as we had lots more passengers to pick up.

It's sad that good service is rare enough to warrant a compliment but I always like to give positive feedback where it’s due.

BauhausOfEliott · 27/10/2025 12:21

This is brilliant and makes me far more likely to travel by coach than I would have been otherwise.

Ponoka7 · 27/10/2025 12:21

Soontobe60 · 27/10/2025 11:55

We had a similar message when we got a coach down to Southampton for a cruise - with the addition of “no solids down the onboard toilet please - no one wants to smell your poo” 😂

Lovery bit of disability discrimination going on there. Luckily that couldn't be policy across Europe, so the driver can be told 'tough (or anyother) shit'.
The loud speaker conversations, about nothing, has become the norm and they shouldn't be allowed on public transport. Actually if you don't comply with the driver's reasonable instructions, they can tell you to get off. @badstrict yes the unreasonable use of electronic devices is on the list.

angelos02 · 27/10/2025 12:21

That is wonderful OP. Shame it isn't like this in all public spaces. Also I don't know whether I'm just old but there seems to be a trend where people hold their mobile in their hand in front of their mouth rather than to their ear? (As they used to do on The Apprentice).

BingBongBish · 27/10/2025 12:18

SmellsLikeTeenArmpit · 27/10/2025 12:07

She's not a man Grin

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Oh sorry, I read 'She said' as 'He said'.

Desperately needing new glasses! 🧐

ThatsNotAKnife · 27/10/2025 12:17

MinnieBaldock · 27/10/2025 12:04

I used to get a coach every day and someone had done a poo in the toilet and it really was very unpleasant. The windows on coaches dont open. Dont people go before they go out.

If they have to go two or three times in the morning they won't have much choice if they're running to a schedule.

Original poster
SmellsLikeTeenArmpit · 27/10/2025 12:13

badstrict · 27/10/2025 12:08

Right. But is using headphones listed in your link?

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I'm sorry what? Did you look at the section I mentioned? It says, to save you the trouble, "Prohibited behaviour: You must ensure that you do not [...] play any music players, musical instruments or electronic devices that are audible and distracting or annoying to any person on any Coach"

And then goes on to say that you can be refused further carriage (ie, chucked off the coach) if you do not comply.

OP posts:
CryMyEyesViolet · 27/10/2025 12:11

badstrict · 27/10/2025 12:08

Right. But is using headphones listed in your link?

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Yes - the OP explicitly references where the terms say that. Why would you post this without checking, what did you think she meant my 12.1(b)(vi)?!

CryMyEyesViolet · 27/10/2025 12:10

MinnieBaldock · 27/10/2025 12:04

I used to get a coach every day and someone had done a poo in the toilet and it really was very unpleasant. The windows on coaches dont open. Dont people go before they go out.

I guarantee it was more pleasant than if the person had soiled themself in their seat.

badstrict · 27/10/2025 12:08

SmellsLikeTeenArmpit · 27/10/2025 12:01

Don't they always do that? I'm sure that a standard announcement.

It's not "threatening unscheduled stops" btw. It's actually against the conditions of carriage (12.1(b)(vi)) and I am pretty sure drivers have the authority to refuse to carry passengers who don't comply! www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/conditions-of-carriage

Show quote history

Right. But is using headphones listed in your link?

Original poster
SmellsLikeTeenArmpit · 27/10/2025 12:07

BingBongBish · 27/10/2025 12:04

Well done that man! 🥇

And yes, definitely send an email.

Most people are quick enough to send one when they're complaining, so a bit of praise would be great.

She's not a man Grin

OP posts:
BingBongBish · 27/10/2025 12:06

MinnieBaldock · 27/10/2025 12:04

I used to get a coach every day and someone had done a poo in the toilet and it really was very unpleasant. The windows on coaches dont open. Dont people go before they go out.

Dont people go before they go out.

Oh come on, any free thinking adult will know that sometimes people get caught short, or suffer from IBS etc.

But yes I agree, it can be very unpleasant.