To be livid with this bus driver

[NeitherNowtNorSummat01]

So, I was on a double decker bus today with my 2 year old son. We sat upstairs at the back. When the time came to get off the bus, we pressed the button, the bus stopped and we started to get off. Half was down the stairs, the drivers pulls off, I lose grip of my son (who was holding my hand) and he falls head first down the steps.
Son screamed (and screamed and screamed). Bus driver said 'is he alright' I said 'no, clearly he's not alright... why didn't you wait' and he says 'you took too long getting off the bus'
After a short conversation (I was a bit cross) he kept repeating, next time get off the bus quicker!
Would I be unreasonable to complain to the bus company
(Son is covered in bruises... and I got off the bus and cried!)

I'll say now I haven't read the full thread.

But I would want enough compensation from the bus company to buy a car.

Even if the driver was blind he would have heard you coming down the stairs. Utterly shameful behaviour and I hope your little guy is ok.

Your poor wee boy OP, all excited about his first bus journey and then this happens. I hope he's ok. Glad to hear you've complained, and I hope you get a proper apology.

Francis I'm a fellow Lothian Bus user and they're pretty strict about not letting you walk about the bus when it's moving. I got told off once for standing upstairs! Anecdotally, they're very good when it comes to accidents.

Waitrose pigeon. My heart breaks for you. Truly sorry for your loss. Poor man.

I come down the stairs whilst the bus is stopped at traffic lights or the stop before mine usually.

But even if you come down the stop before, if you're slowed by a toddler you still can't dip it all in one stop. Same for lights. Up still risks being on the stairs etc when it moves

Complain!

That's an absolute disgrace. Don't listen to posters suggesting you have to be quick getting off. What about the elderly or disabled - that would surely be in breach of equalities legislation.

Take photos of the bruises. Get a gp appt and go for compensation.

I wouldn't complain. He didn't do it on purpose.

I would have moved down the stairs when the bus stopped at the previous stop so I could get ready to get off ( knowing it takes ages with a toddler)

. Or carry the kid down the stairs at your stop to do it quicker

Yeah, pidgeonspray, don't complain if someone injures your child ??
Wtaf?

here there are signs saying remain seated until the bus stops.
we have foreign students in the town in the summer and some bus drivers as we know are nasty. one student pressed the button, didnt make it to the door in time, read the sign that said remain seated, the driver drove off and she had to wait by the door until the next stop

Regardless though of why the OP was on the bus, she and her son are still entitled to basic safety considerations such as the divers not pulling away while a small child is still on the stairs. The driver is the one in the wrong here not the OP or her son.

Thank you Bear. THIS ^

In SPADES!

He didn't do it on purpose

Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Pidgeon

But he was certainly a gobshite on purpose.

No need for him to take the attitude he did with OP. He should have apologised and made sure the toddler was okay.

Bus driver is at fault. He should have checked his internal mirrors before setting off. The OP did the correct thing in waiting until the bus had stopped before descending the stairs. Most buses have signs stating you should remain seated until the bus has stopped.

Carrying a toddler sown the bus stairs is surely more dangerous! Both of you will go at the same time and you can land on your child

Just a quick update. I wrote a letter of complaint and received back a very sincere letter of apology. They watched the CCTV and found that the driver was in the wrong. They said that, because we had waited until the bus had stopped before disembarking that the bus driver should have waited. (He basically said if we had got up while the bus was in motion, it would have been my fault).
Amyway, the bus company death with the driver and have invited my toddler to do for a tour of the bus depot. He's thrilled. Thank you everyone who gave advice and support

I hope he has a lovely time.

I'm glad they've appologised too.

I'm glad your son is OK, and yes, please complain. I have a disability and often take what would be considered a long time getting off the bus. Some drivers, seem to think they are doing the formula one, and just want to go go go.

Yes that's right Kwebs. So the people telling the OP she should have got up sooner are just plain wrong; it's not safe to walk around on a moving bus - what if it had to suddenly break? Definitely complain OP: the driver should have checked and he shouldn't have been so rude and arsey towards you. Your poor little boy.

Oh - good outcome OP. So there was CCTV.

Oh, glad you got a good outcome!

Your toddler will love the bus depot. We went on a depot open day last year - brand new state of the art depot - and there's big money counting machines, all manner of ramps for vehicle maintenance and a gigantic bus wash - Go North East 6047 was possibly the cleanest bus in the country by the end of the day :o