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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to complain about London bus driver?

77 replies

addictedtofrazzles · 31/08/2011 09:49

I live in London and was returning from my antenatal appointment at the hospital by bus. I boarded the bus and handed over a £10 note (£2.20 fare). The bus driver refused to take the money as he said I should have an Oyster card and he was under no obligation to carry change. I replied that I don't use public transport frequently enough to justify the cost of an Oyster card and that no where on the bus was there a notice saying that change would not be given for £10 notes...

So I delved into the pits of my handbag for loose 2p's and literally hand to count them out into his tray. I counted clearly, putting the coins in piles so that the driver could keep a check. By this point the other passengers were understandably getting annoyed.

The driver then told me that he would have to re-check the loose change and that, "he had all the time in the world". He counted and said I had short changed him...BUT REFUSED TO TELL ME BY HOW MUCH and demanded (rudely) that I recheck it again!!!

At this point the passengers are even more irate, as was I, but I recounted the money and sure enough it was correct.

AIBU to complain about his unhelpful, difficult and arrogant approach?

OP posts:
Original poster
addictedtofrazzles · 31/08/2011 14:01

I HAD CHANGE!!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
addictedtofrazzles · 31/08/2011 14:03

Because I always chuck loose change into the bottom of my handbag - I have a nearly 3 year old and a 1 year old and rarely have a chance to open my purse and stuff it in. Every few weeks I decant the change (or save it for my bus journeys Wink

OP posts:
TheLadyEvenstar · 31/08/2011 14:06

What you fail to understand is if the bus is delayed by 4 minutes it is taken off of the drivers stand time. This means that when they get to the end of their route then instead of having 6 minutes to go to the toilet, get a drink etc they end up having 2 minutes. Tell me if you could do all those things in 2 minutes?

A few months ago DP ended up having a pretty bad day which could have had disastourous results. He had started on an early shift with people rushing to work etc his stand time shortened by people not having the correct change no money on their oyster cards etc which meant on a very hot day he was unable to stop long enough to have a drink - the result? he collapsed at work and ended up in hospital having dislocated his shoulder as he fell.

2.5 months on he is still not fit for working his usual bus driving job.

So yes the driver was short with you but you have no idea what he had been through that day.

Missmodular · 31/08/2011 14:07

Apparently, more than 20p's worth of 2ps or 1ps are not considered legal tender: www.royalmint.com/corporate/policies/legal_tender_guidelines.aspx

ShirleyKnot · 31/08/2011 14:08

110 2ps in your bag though?!

Excellent way to prevent bingo wings!

TheMagnificentBathykolpian · 31/08/2011 14:09

Your description of him appears to indicate someone in a bit of a grump, but getting you to recount your coppers is making me laugh Blush

When you've calmed down a bit, you'll be able to laugh that he made you count it out again. Grin

worraliberty · 31/08/2011 14:09

I HAD CHANGE!!!!!

Well next time you'll know to have it ready before you board the bus

Original poster
addictedtofrazzles · 31/08/2011 14:11

Well there might have been a few cheeky other coins in the mix. But yes, the bag was heavy...may explain my dodgy back, come to think of it? Sadly I can say it does nothing for the bingo wings!

I probably could wee and drink in 2 minutes...especially when I had 2 children under 2 and if I was a man Wink. Sorry to hear your husband isn't well though.

OP posts:
Original poster
addictedtofrazzles · 31/08/2011 14:14

Ah but next time, I will have an Oyster card!!!

But in the even I don't, I will indeed have the change ready - although I would have thought it would be faster to pay with the £10 note (I have learnt that it is not!). And perhaps next time the bus driver won't expect it to be counted out 3 times, especially if HE is going to lose his stand-time and not be able to wee!

OP posts:
TheLadyEvenstar · 31/08/2011 14:14

Addicted, there are not always toilets at the end of the route, the drivers have to walk to the shopping centres, train stations etc so often 2 minutes is not enough time.

ShirleyKnot · 31/08/2011 14:17

Oh yes I agree with you there addicted - if the bus driver didn't want to lose his stand time (or whatever it's called) he shouldn't have been such and unremitting arsehole jobsworth.

AbsDuWolef · 31/08/2011 14:17

YANBU OP. I have an oyster card, hell, I have two actually, but sometimes you run out of money/forget to top up etc. and you need to pay with cash. I know some people object because you movements can be monitored on an oyster (every time you tap in and out it's recorded)

DP had this once with a driver, where his oyster had run out and he hadn't realised. No ticket machine. No shops nearby to go and get change, and the driver had a go at him for DARING to try and pay with a £5 (not a £20 note, £5). Some drivers carry change, some don't. I know in Edinburgh they don't give change, so you know to carry the correct amount, but in London it's so random, depends on how the driver's feeling, how late in the day etc. Sometimes if they don't have change they let you on anyway, but the one DP had a bargy with was just in a pissy mood.

Man, I hate TFL.

WreckaJones · 31/08/2011 14:29

I know addicted you were on a break had change but you've been v good natured about your bit of bashing on here and hopefully you will be seen whizzing around London flicking your finger oyster card at anyone who dares suggest otherwise!

I didn't know that about stand time...I will be even nicer to bus drivers now. My dad was a bus driver for years, has been punched, bitten etc all way before the little plastic shields were put in. Lady wishing your DH a speedier and full recovery.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 31/08/2011 14:37

I think you were B a bit U about paying with a tenner, but I still think you should complain. He didn't need to behave like that.

whackamole · 31/08/2011 16:15

I don't live in London but I do use the very frequent and well-used route that runs past my house.

I'm not sure I would complaint but I would be very miffed! I would probably ensure I always had a couple of quid handy as well.....

whackamole · 31/08/2011 16:16

Our buses are ok with tenners BTW, they do have signs up saying they will not be able to break a twenty. I guess it is different as we don't have Oyster cards here so everything is cash.

(on the buses I mean!)

scrambedeggs · 31/08/2011 16:26

you are in London

everyone in London has a default setting of "rude and ill mannered" particularly those in customer service

shrugs

allibaba · 31/08/2011 16:28

You should complain as, like the other posters have said, he was clearly a jobsworth!

But I don't understand why you don't have an oyster card?! I do, and I live about 4 hours away from London. Fair enough my sister lives there but I havn't been since DS1 was born but even so when I do go, its so much easier than faffing about with change or those fiddly machines when you don't know which sodding zone you want on the tube Grin

sqweegiebeckenheim · 31/08/2011 16:31

she thought it was a weekly travel card, not a pay-as-you-go card.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 31/08/2011 16:32

scrambed, no they don't. Hmm

oldraver · 31/08/2011 16:38

Last time I got on a bus it cost me £7.50, the driver didnt bat an eye at my tenner Grin

Maryz · 31/08/2011 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

renaldo · 31/08/2011 16:49

Come and live in the country! DH got on our village bus recently with a tenner and the bus driver stopped a a newsagent at the next village to he could get change and buy them both a paper :)

Ephiny · 31/08/2011 16:56

Rude/impatient bus drivers are a fact of life in most cities, in my experience.

I'd definitely get an Oyster card if I were you, cheaper and makes things much easier. I can't remember the last time I paid a cash fare on a bus and would probably end up in a similar mess if I ever had to!

SiamoFottuti · 31/08/2011 17:11

But Maryz, the bus drivers are lovely. And you get a change ticket, which you can cash in the office or you can donate to charity.

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