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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be furious with school bus driver

190 replies

WashingLion · 26/02/2013 19:13

For taking my 5year old off the bus and leaving her, alone by a busy main road, because the childminder was 5 minutes late.

And then to be furious with the bus company for denying all responsibility (this is a school bus).

The childminder is very responsible but was held up in traffic. My daughter was found wandering down the road by a (luckily) kindly stranger who asked her where I work and managed to track me down.

OP posts:
MrsMushroom · 26/02/2013 19:30

Poor little thing. Sad I think this driver should be sacked. Not given a warning...he/she is obviously not suited to working with children due to an extreme lack of common sense or kindness or BOTH.

SamuelWestsMistress · 26/02/2013 19:32

Wow, that is incredibly shitty.

Original poster
WashingLion · 26/02/2013 19:32

My childminder was mortified and cried. It is not possible to never be late, it's just bad luck. I would not have minded if they'd kept her on the bus and asked me to collect her. At least that would have been a safe and sensible approach.

OP posts:
InLoveWithDavidTennant · 26/02/2013 19:33
Shock
Sparklingbrook · 26/02/2013 19:34

Washing I am really speechless. Could the school get involved at all?

buildingmycorestrength · 26/02/2013 19:34

Is this perhaps a time when the Daily Mail should actually get involved? Seriously. I hate the DM but this needs some serious national outrage to get the bus company dealt with properly.

Remotecontrolduck · 26/02/2013 19:34

Oh my God, he needs sacking. There is no justifaction for such a failure of common sense on his part. I'm horrified Shock.

Remotecontrolduck · 26/02/2013 19:36

I really need to improve my typing on my iPad, I look totally illiterate Blush

EeyoresGloomyPlace · 26/02/2013 19:36

Oh wow that is appalling! Makes me feel a bit sick at the thought, thank goodness your dd is ok.

I hope the driver is properly reprimanded for such a grossly inappropriate action, and that the company realise the seriousness of his actions.

I'm just Shock at the thought of leaving a 5 yo alone by a busy road.

BarbarianMum · 26/02/2013 19:40
MissVerinder · 26/02/2013 19:41

Is it a company contracted by the school/LA?

If so, let them know ASAP.

I have a tendency to drama, but seriously! I would have been screaming like a banshee and probably on the phone to the DM right now.

How can a person leave a 5 y/o on her own like that?

Original poster
WashingLion · 26/02/2013 19:41

My husband is phoning the police to make a complaint. DD is fine, thankfully.

OP posts:
GeneHuntsMistress · 26/02/2013 19:43

I honestly think you should call the non-emergency number for the police (101??). At the very least they will light a fire under the bus company's arse.

GeneHuntsMistress · 26/02/2013 19:44

X posts - gat minds think alike!

GrowSomeCress · 26/02/2013 19:44

YANBU at all that is terrible.

GeneHuntsMistress · 26/02/2013 19:44

Great even

ajandjjmum · 26/02/2013 19:45

Have you spoken to the school?

FutTheShuckUp · 26/02/2013 19:48

I think school need to be contacted as to be honest the bus driver is just a bus driver- they aren't clued up on child safeguarding issues, they are employed to drive the bus. The school should ensure there is a responsible adult on the bus as well.

SirBoobAlot · 26/02/2013 19:52

Fucking hell, I'm horrified to read this!! Shock Angry

Go to the press, and contact the school, as if it is a designated school bus, they will be contracted.

Just... Fucking hell. Can't believe this.

AndWhenYouGetThere · 26/02/2013 19:55

This is absolutely terrible - and their attitude is too!

scratchandsniff · 26/02/2013 19:57

That is utterly disgusting. I hope the driver is sacked and the bus company lose their contract. I cannot believe they don't think they're in the wrong. I'd be letting the local newspaper know.

Original poster
WashingLion · 26/02/2013 19:57

I phoned the school after I had spoken with the bus company. They gave me a phone number for the relevant person in our district council. He is on annual leave, however, and I then couldn't get through to anyone else. Will phone them again tomorrow.

OP posts:
sooperdooper · 26/02/2013 19:57

Jesus christ, this is terrible!

Follow up with the school, the bus company must be employed by the school/LEA, and should have a strict policy on child protection and what to do in this type of situation. I agree this should be logged with the police as well

Don't let this drop by any means, they're hideous!!

bubbles1231 · 26/02/2013 20:00

You may find there is a grey area over who is actually responsible for children once they have left the school. I would assume it is the Local Authority.
Our buses just drop the children off, but there are usually plenty of parents around to wait with someone if a parent is late.

undercoverhousewife · 26/02/2013 20:01

A school bus driver did something similar to my 8 year old DD once: he turfed her out of the bus about a mile from where he was supposed to drop her (and where I was waiting) as the traffic was very bad. It was grid lock that day, and it's true she would have been quicker walking BUT she had no idea where she was and was terrified. Luckily she had enough charge (it was close) left on her phone to call me - not that the driver had checked up on that beforehand. It turned out the driver had done something similar before and the other bus drivers were all appalled too. He was put on final warning and it never happened again.

Totally unacceptable. Poor you. How is your DD? Was she shocked and frightened or did she take it in her stride? I hope she is okay and not worrying it might happen again...