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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Teens on the Bus

97 replies

Patchworkturtle · 23/09/2015 07:16

I work about 90 minutes from home, and my bus home coincides with the letting off time for the local schools, 14-18 year olds.
There's always been an issue with queue jumping, where they join their little groups of friends halfway down the queue in clumps of 4 or 5, but for the most part they're just noisy and haven't caused any problems.
Since school came back in September things have just gone down hill entirely- they now queue jump in groups of 10-12, leaving working adults at the bus station for 40 minutes despite having queued for 20 minutes or so because there are no seats, they are rude, they are boisterous, they shout obscenities pretty much the entire journey and are making some of the older passengers really uncomfortable. At 25, I figure they're just being horrid teens and haven't said anything. Yet.

Last night on my journey home I was subjected with having to sit on the top floor of the bus, and I was the only person who wasn't from this school. The bus driver said I couldn't stand downstairs because he was 'at full capacity' so I figured it's fine, I'll keep my head down and ignore them.
In the space of 90 minutes I was shouted at, pushed, shoved, had a bag thrown at me when they 'had to hide Adams bag hahahahaha!!', had drink thrown over me during an 'epic food fight!' and put up with four of the older lads at the back of the bus telling me they'd 'give me one when we got off the bus'. With headphones in I ignored them, until one boy, clearly too stupid to realise I wasn't wearing the school uniform, decided to smack me round the back of the head with a half full bottle of Sprite.
I spun in my seat and asked him what the hell he thought he was doing and his reply was 'I thought you were my mate Sally' and then proceeded to tell me I was stuck up, a skank and to 'go fuck myself'.

AIBU to contact the school and ask them how the hell the general public are expected to put up with this ridiculous behaviour every night? Last night was the first time I've been amongst it, and having spoken to the bus driver (who arranged for the cctv to be emailed to me last night - very helpful) the bus service don't want these kids on their service as they've noticed a drop in full paying adult customers who would rather wait for a different bus service.

I can't decide if I'm overreacting- would you ignore the situation or bring it up with somebody? I'm aware the school probably wouldn't do anything, but these kids are acting up with their uniforms on, and I know if I was like that wearing my work uniform I'd be instantly dismissed.

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 23/09/2015 11:12

Yes - complain, complain, complain - to the school, the Education Authority, the police and the local paper.

I'd also send a letter of complaint to the bus company - not because they are at fault but because it will hopefully get them involved too - I can't imagine that the drivers want this sort of behaviour on the bus, or that it offers safe or decent working conditions for them - and with the damage/mess it must cause, it's probably a service they'd love to stop offering to the school. If you complain, this will give them more ammunition if they do want to stop the school kids getting on.

Original poster
Patchworkturtle · 23/09/2015 12:06

I can't get any other bus as I need to get home for my child. I've spoken to the school today who said they are going to have a word as a general thing, but that on route this evening they've asked I keep an ear out for names, take any details down of descriptions and email them in. They also suggested I call the police, which I have done, and a copy of the footage has been sent to both the school and the station.

My worry is the repercussions of this- I'm the only person I've ever heard reprimand these kids so they're gonna know it was me that reported them when the head has his chat.

OP posts:
CocktailQueen · 23/09/2015 12:10

We'll done for reporting it, op. I was horrified to read your post. Why do people feel they have the right to behave like that? So entitled.

I hope there are no repercussions for you - it needn't be anyone who told them off on the bus that complained, it could have been any adult, don't worry - and I hope the school is more effective than it sounded, and I hope the behaviour improves.

Fourfifthsof · 23/09/2015 12:21

Yanbu. Call the school and complain and if you have cctv, send them a copy. If you have cctv of the bottle incident, contact the police. You could also report the little shits who threatened to sexually assault you.

I complained about bus behaviour once when I had been shoved out of the queue by a mob of teens when I was 7 months pregnant. The Head addressed it no questions asked.

Yabvr to do something about this. These teens will soon be adults and need to learn to function in society.

Fourfifthsof · 23/09/2015 12:25

I'm sure there won't be any repercussions for you op but if there is, call the police. You have absolutely done the right thing.

SirChenjin · 23/09/2015 12:29

There won't be any repercussions - there is CCTV on the bus and it could easily have been the company themselves.

Can you call the bus company from the bus stop if they start pushing in again? I would also point blank refuse to go upstairs - explain to the driver what's happened if they try to send you upstairs (ie you were assaulted) and say that the police and bus company are involved.

haggisaggis · 23/09/2015 12:36

My kids get the bus to/from school and every year we get a letter from the council school transport department detailing expected level of behaviour on the bus and stating that if it is breached pupils will have their passes taken away. OK this is actual school transport rather than a service bus but would think the same would apply.

Noodledoodledoo · 23/09/2015 15:33

To be honest a general word will probably have quite an effect - it sounds nothing but for those in question they will know its about them. It is tricky as without names its hard to do much more.

I would say mentioning CCTV has been shared with the school will probably cause a number of students to pull themselves into line. It might not be instant though as messages like this at my school are passed via tutor groups which we only have once a day.

Hope tonight's journey wasn't as bad.

I would say keep reporting to bus and school if it continues, and police if its appropriate.

BertrandRussell · 23/09/2015 15:47

Obviously it's awful and you were right to report it to the school. I would also go to the police.

I am shocked that the school has asked you to collect information for them- they should be doing that!

But I am also a bit shocked that the company sent you the cctv footage- that's not right, surely?

bruffin · 23/09/2015 16:23

But I am also a bit shocked that the company sent you the cctv footage- that's not right, surely?
You have the right to see cctv footage of yourself as long as it is requested within 40 days.

BertrandRussell · 23/09/2015 16:28

Even if it includes other people?

BertrandRussell · 23/09/2015 16:29

And actually have a copy of it??

SirChenjin · 23/09/2015 16:33

I'm sure the police will be able to advise correctly on this issue - they will have access to the full facts.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 23/09/2015 16:36

I don't think you have an expectation of privacy when you are in a public space like a bus, Bertrand.

SoupDragon · 23/09/2015 16:37

Why are these kids getting on the service bus in the first place, isn't that what the school buses are for?

What school buses would those be...?

OP, you did the right thing in contacting the school.

bruffin · 23/09/2015 16:38

cctv footage of yourself

SirChenjin · 23/09/2015 16:44

Well, I'm sure that the police will advise both the OP and the bus company if they've done anything wrong.

Personally, my shock at the CCTV issue is overshadowed by what the OP had to go through.

kali110 · 23/09/2015 16:48

Youre very brave op, good on you!!!
School kids by me are little shits ( not all but most) rude, aggressive bullies. It's a nightmare trying to get a bus. I've been pushed, sworn at, refused a seat.
Things are so different from when i was at school!

It's legal to request footage of yourself.
They may have given op an edited copy of the cctv.
Any repercussions, go straight to the police don't let them keep getting away with it.

Excited101 · 23/09/2015 17:04

I've reported children on buses for a lot less than this... Well done op- it's despicable behaviour and had it have been an adult, the police would no doubt have been called straight away and/or been thrown off the bus.

MischiefInTheWind · 23/09/2015 17:08

I wish more bus services would block schoolchildren using them who have been offensive and aggressive. How hard is it to ban them, and why isn't it done more frequently?

BertrandRussell · 23/09/2015 17:13

Could you call the police from the bus? Someone did this from a bus dd was on and they were waiting when the bus arrived.

ouryve · 23/09/2015 17:17

Definitely phone the local school.

The behaviour of teens who catch our local bus at school chucking out time is usually exemplary. Most schools tend to come down pretty hard if they find out that kids' behaviour while still in uniform is anything but.

Charis2 · 23/09/2015 17:18

I haven't read the whole thread, but i am assuming i am not the only person saying this is not a school issue in any way at all, it is a police issue.

Hitting you, throwing things at you, swearing at you, threatening you

At least 4 separate individuals have committed crimes against you, and you have the CCTV

The school cannot legally do anything at all, this is a police matter. Call them tonight if you have not already.

ouryve · 23/09/2015 17:22

I see you did that, OP. Well done.

And amazed that people are shocked that there is CCTV on buses. Some of our local buses display it on screens for all passengers to see!

And agreeing with mischief. The majority of kids would probably like to see the troublemakers banned, too. It's bloody miserable, as a child, when other kids are being dicks and you daren't put your head up for fear of becoming a victim. Too bad if it makes getting them home their parents' problem.

BertrandRussell · 23/09/2015 17:53

The last straw for a kid getting permanently excluded from ds's school was a complaint about his behaviour on the bus...........

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