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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bus driver wouldn't let my dad on bus aibu to think he is a jobsworth?

310 replies

oohopo · 03/11/2022 12:01

My dad is 85.
He has a bus pass.
He was coming to my house last night for tea.
He got on bus and his pass wouldn't work (it has a tiny rip in)
It was valid for two years still.
Normally you tap your pass and they let you on.
Obviously when he was tapping it wasn't registering.
So he had to get off and go home to get his wallet.
He was coming to mine so didn't think he needed anything but his pass.

It made zero difference to that bus driver
Aibu to think it's a shitty thing to do to a elderly man.

OP posts:
MandyMotherOfBrian · 03/11/2022 13:12

Lo! Best bow down OP, for the Bus Driver’s Wife has arrived.
Hilarious.

Herejustforthisone · 03/11/2022 13:12

Badgirlriri · 03/11/2022 12:03

Very shitty but there’s nothing you can do now so best to just let it go.

Nothing you can do? Fuck that. I’d be gunning for the driver. You know the route, the time, the stop, so take it to the bud company and escalate it.

ancientgran · 03/11/2022 13:12

SpinningFloppa · 03/11/2022 13:08

No it’s not different as the school kid would be in uniform!

Show quote history

It is different. Being in school uniform does not mean you have bought or are entitled to a free pass. Being 85 and having your bus pass is completely different to that.

Melroses · 03/11/2022 13:13

RoseslnTheHospital · 03/11/2022 12:05

@PuttingDownRoots which numbers need to tally?

If the number of passengers and fares don't tally, it usually comes out of the bus driver's float money. However, companies do have policies about vulnerable passengers.

NotAnotherPylon · 03/11/2022 13:14

MandyMotherOfBrian · 03/11/2022 13:12

Lo! Best bow down OP, for the Bus Driver’s Wife has arrived.
Hilarious.

🤣🤣

SpinningFloppa · 03/11/2022 13:15

ancientgran · 03/11/2022 13:12

It is different. Being in school uniform does not mean you have bought or are entitled to a free pass. Being 85 and having your bus pass is completely different to that.

Show quote history

I’m in London, it’s free for children in education so yes it does!

LookItsMeAgain · 03/11/2022 13:16

I don't know if there is a facility on the console that the driver has, which would allow him/her override the machine that a passenger might use to tap on when they get onboard the bus, I'd imagine there would be (in case the machine to tap on wasn't working for example).
The driver could then have used their console to increase the number of passengers using their bus pass by 1. The driver should then have told your dad to replace his valid bus pass for one that doesn't have a tear in it, or else your dad will encounter the same issue whatever bus he tries to use at any time.

I do think the driver could have done more here.

Mouk · 03/11/2022 13:18

That's an awful thing to do. Your poor Dad.

NotAnotherPylon · 03/11/2022 13:19

I refuse to believe that bus drivers are not allowed to use discretion in such circumstances. What a horrible thing to do to an elderly person. I hate complaining, but I wouldn't even hesitate in this case. And to those saying that, had the bus driver let him on, he had no guarantee of getting home, presumably the OP could have given him the bus fare just in case that might happen.

Lysis · 03/11/2022 13:21

If the pass doesn't scan, then the bus company won't know which council to charge the journey to, it's as simple as that. There isn't a pot of money held my the government to repay the bus companies, it's council by council. So if I use my Yorkshire bus pass on a bus in Lancashire, it will be charged back to Yorkshire council. If it doesn't scan, the bus company won't make even the pittance they're given for the journey.

caringcarer · 03/11/2022 13:21

That is awful OP. Where the hell has compassion gone? I would be complaining to bus company they refused entry to a vulnerable pensioner instead of using good sense and letting him board.

Worriedpartner1234 · 03/11/2022 13:21

It just seems to be the way the world is. Nobody is helpful and everybody says “I can’t”. What they mean is they won’t. It would have harmed no one to let your dad on but the driver will have some silly policy to fall back on as to why he is in the right.

WilsonMilson · 03/11/2022 13:22

Totally shitty thing to do. I would complain, it’s not on to deny an elderly and potentially vulnerable person on a bus. You’d think another passenger would have paid, I would have.

ancientgran · 03/11/2022 13:22

SpinningFloppa · 03/11/2022 13:15

I’m in London, it’s free for children in education so yes it does!

Show quote history

Oh I didn't realise we were just talking about London in much of the country children don't have free travel.

ancientgran · 03/11/2022 13:23

Lysis · 03/11/2022 13:21

If the pass doesn't scan, then the bus company won't know which council to charge the journey to, it's as simple as that. There isn't a pot of money held my the government to repay the bus companies, it's council by council. So if I use my Yorkshire bus pass on a bus in Lancashire, it will be charged back to Yorkshire council. If it doesn't scan, the bus company won't make even the pittance they're given for the journey.

Well the bus company didn't get paid for the journey anyway so they wouldn't have lost anything by letting one old man on the bus.

Mumtobe2305 · 03/11/2022 13:24

It’s mean. Your poor dad. I think maybe they have to follow a certain policy though, maybe they can get disciplined if they let people on without a valid pass? No idea.

ancientgran · 03/11/2022 13:25

Melroses · 03/11/2022 13:13

If the number of passengers and fares don't tally, it usually comes out of the bus driver's float money. However, companies do have policies about vulnerable passengers.

Show quote history

How do they work it out? At the end of the day they won't know how many passengers have been on the bus, if any inspector gets on he won't know how many people were on the bus earlier. I can't figure out how they would know.

MrKlaw · 03/11/2022 13:25

I'd expect the driver to have an override button for a visually confirmed pass that isn't working. what happens if the scanner isn't working?

very mean by the driver

SheepDance · 03/11/2022 13:26

It's likely company policy in some way, but it's not very nice.
Complaining won't get you anywhere if that is the policy, mind you.

Topsyturvy78 · 03/11/2022 13:27

It was but if he does it for one they would have to do It for everyone. They risk losing they're job letting someone on without paying. I have forgotten my daughter pass a few times so had to pay. I always carry cash on me though as often have to get a taxi back.

geonosis · 03/11/2022 13:29

Make a complaint definitely as where I live in a pretty busy London area as I don’t use buses often I have messed up twice now where bus driver said don’t worry just get on! Very nice bus drivers here! They are so nice actually that once my school aged son rang me from bus stop in next street to run up with his oyster card he forgot and the bus driver was happily waiting for two minutes for me, I couldn’t quite believe it!I mean I am totally confused as so many changes with travel cards, no cash, so probably feel sorry for me but with your dad having the correct card and been elderly they are I thought supposed to show a bit of empathy and common sense!

Bookworm20 · 03/11/2022 13:30

Would be interesting to know what happens if the scanner breaks, or doesn't scan for anyone.

They just don't allow anyone with a valid bus pass to travel?

I think not. There would be a procedure to follow in such cases. Perhaps he just couldn't be bothered to follow it.

Justnosing · 03/11/2022 13:31

Your poor dad 😣. I’d definitely complain. What a prick!

AutumnLea · 03/11/2022 13:31

Bus driver here.

At our company management would want to be informed of an incident like this as we would consider it poor customer service and would have a word with the driver. It could have been a new driver not familiar with handling those situations just yet.

In this case we would issue a manual ticket, encourage them to order a replacement and allow travel. If an inspector boarded they would be happy with that.

We don't leave vulnerable people at the roadside.

Abhannmor · 03/11/2022 13:32

I would complain. Just ask them to have a word with their drivers? I know drivers can get into trouble too , for letting ppl on. A nice polite letter should do the trick.