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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Getting on the bus for one stop?

163 replies

Givemeabreak88 · 14/01/2021 09:36

My children are at school atm because they have autism and a ehcp so they are allowed a school place. The school is just over a mile and we walk there, it can take a bit longer due the my daughter especially as she struggles with the walk and can be very slow, refuse to walk, that kind of thing. This morning we were running abit late and the journey takes about 25 mins walking. Anyway part way through the journey there is a bus we can get, it’s only one stop but it’s quite a long stop and it’s from the top of a steep hill to the bottom. If you are in London you will know it’s been raining heavily today so as we were walking we were obviously all getting soaked, so I checked my phone and saw there was a bus due in 2 minutes and we were right by the bus stop. So I decided we would wait under the shelter and get the bus. We got onto the bus and the driver quite rudely said “You get on the bus every day to go one stop!” And started laughing, I do not get on it everyday, this was the second morning we had got on it! And they have only been back a week so I thought that was an odd comment because before going back we hadn’t got on it at all. Now he wasn’t doing it as a joke it was really rude and I felt embarrassed, like I was being called lazy? now I can tell when someone is being friendly and joking before anyone says that, he absolutely wasn’t it was said in an aggressive tone. I was quite taken back and commented on the fact it was raining heavily but he shook just his head. I ended up getting off.

Aibu to get the bus one stop? My daughter is very slow to walk and that one stop is a 10/15 minute walk with her. I didn’t realise getting on the bus for one stop was a problem which as I said I wouldn’t normally do anyway it was only because of the rain.

OP posts:
Godimabitch · 14/01/2021 10:38

People drive shorter distances. YANBU. I'd have said "sorry I didn't realise you had better things to do." You shouldn't have got off the bus.

PattyPan · 14/01/2021 10:40

Maybe he was thinking that since you were only going one stop it didn’t seem like an essential journey to him since I think public transport is supposed to be essential journeys only at the moment? Obviously that’s not up to him to decide though, and it was rude of him to confront you in that way. Plus once that conversation has taken place there’s no more risk from staying on the bus to your stop anyway, unless it was really full which I doubt otherwise he wouldn’t have remembered you!

Spongebobsquarefringe · 14/01/2021 10:40

Get the bus, it’s a service tor you to use, does it matter? Everyone will judge anyway, look at her making her kids walk in the rain, look at her getting the bus for one stop, don’t worry about what others think do what it’s best for you and yours.

I would have just given him a look that said to fuck yourself and proceeded to my seat, if he kept making comments I would email the bus company and say he is being a prick can you remind him of customer service and that he treats people how he expects to be treated I don’t get on and comment on his daily choices and I don’t expect him to comment on mine.

WorraLiberty · 14/01/2021 10:41

That's madness but of course it's your choice.

You're also letting him dictate your future plans now and yet to him you're just one of literally 1000s of passengers. He probably wouldn't remember you if you bit him on the arse.

PrankedByLife · 14/01/2021 10:41

If you were that bothered you would've said all that to his face. What do you want Mumsnet to do? Come and speak to the driver and stick up for you? And yes, unless you have a disability it is lazy to take the bus for one stop.

mummax3 · 14/01/2021 10:42

I'd feel the same as you. Whatever makes life easier, it's hard walking with children sometimes. Bus drivers can be grumpy sometimes, I've had my fair share. Chin up xx

gannett · 14/01/2021 10:42

@Givemeabreak88

Well if we are made to feel unwelcome then yes I will get off. He obviously had a problem with it.
Why do you feel you need to be made welcome on public transport?

Just roll your eyes and take your seat. Unfortunately there are rude people (or just people having a bad day) everywhere but this literally does not affect you.

Whatisthisfuckery · 14/01/2021 10:43

If people didn’t get on his bus that driver wouldn’t have a job. He’s a prick.

This is MN though, so there are bound to be posters telling you that you’re responsible for literally thousands of unnecessary deaths because you used public transport when it wasn’t a matter of life and death. I shall now quickly scan the thread and I have an internal bet on to see how many posts it takes.

ghostvillage · 14/01/2021 10:44

Ignore him, he's paid to do the job. If you got back off the bus because you overreacted did you actually need to use it though ? If I needed it for your reasons I'd think fuck him and stay on the bus.

DecemberSun · 14/01/2021 10:44

We are supposed to only use buses for essential journeys. Maybe that's why he commented. Not that he should have, rude git.

DianaT1969 · 14/01/2021 10:45

If I'm honest, I do wonder why some people get the bus one stop. Disabilities aren't always visible and I totally understand that. A lot of people with buggies and children get it one stop in my area. By the time they've manouvered and off again, they could have almost walked it. But I love walking and only take the bus if it's a long distance, or I'm running late. Never for one stop though.

panachronic · 14/01/2021 10:45

You should not have got off the bus. But I'm more surprised that you got the same driver two days running and you say you live in London - what are the chances of that?

Starlightstarbright1 · 14/01/2021 10:46

Op..

In current situation- generally people getting on the bus for one stop us unreasonable, however in your situation i don't think you were been unreasonable.

I think generally whst people are saying- have the courage of your convictions - you are not neglectful but the opinion of a rude bus driver do not matter. He does not get to decide who rides the bus.

Classrooms aren't warm and yes i would keep them dry as i could on the way to school

Comtesse · 14/01/2021 10:47

A nice sharp “mind your own business, pal” would have been just fine.....

LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 14/01/2021 10:50

None of his bloody business. Joke or not. You don't have to explain yourself. It's bloody pissing it down here so I would have done the same Smile

Wolfff · 14/01/2021 10:55

I’ve complained to London bus companies on a couple of occasions and received a good response. There is normally an online form for the purpose. I think this driver has a training need quite frankly.

Givemeabreak88 · 14/01/2021 10:56

Well I’m also surprised he feels like he’s seen us everyday because that isn’t the case, it’s only 2 days and no I don’t normally see the same driver so I’m not sure what that is about. I didn’t recognise him from yesterday but tbh I don’t really look.

Like I said we don’t usually go one stop it was because of the rain. I didn’t want to get the kids to school soaking wet. Lots of the parents near us drive their kids to school.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 14/01/2021 11:03

Well I’m also surprised he feels like he’s seen us everyday because that isn’t the case

Which proves my point. You're just one of 1000s of passengers and yet you're letting him control you and your kids.

RandomMess · 14/01/2021 11:04

Don't let him put you off using the bus, it's none of his business and you could make a complaint about his inappropriate rudeness!

JuniLoolaPalooza · 14/01/2021 11:07

I would have laughed in his face then made a complaint on my phone on the bus. Rude fucker.

Sweettea1 · 14/01/2021 11:10

You have absolutely rvery right to get the bus even for 1 stop thats what buses are for even more so in the rain. The bus driver is rude and should do what he is payed todo without judgement.

Whatisthisfuckery · 14/01/2021 11:14

Just ignore the little twunt OP. I bet he wouldn’t have said it to another man.

catlady3 · 14/01/2021 11:15

Why do you care what a random bus driver thinks about you?

LucilleTheVampireBat · 14/01/2021 11:17

@WorraLiberty

He won't have been the first rude person you've come across in life and he certainly won't be the last.

Therefore I can't believe you made your kids get off the bus and start walking again in heavy rain we've had all morning.

This. In spades.
NoSleepInTheHeat · 14/01/2021 11:23

I used to do that quite often, especially when I had a monthly pass and the extra journey doesn't cost anything more.
Not even with the kids, just because I'm lazy haha.