Lothian Buses Stopping all Services Tonight Due to Attacks on Drivers

[theotherfossilsister]

I get that what has happened is horrible - and the idiots throwing stones and bikes at buses need to be prosecuted. It's terrible for anyone to have to work in those conditions and I do feel appalling for them.

But I also know several people badly affected by this including an elderly person having cancer treatment which ends after seven thirty, and women who are scared to walk in the dark after the events of last week.

I don't know the answer, but I'm upset it's come to this.

I'm surprised - I thought they'd charged some youths for this.
Though they will probably still be able to be out and about!
We need better deterrents for these scumbags.

It's not just bricks and smashing windows, a driver was slashed in Clermiston. I work for the council and they've emailed to say they'll pay for a taxi for staff affected and I've heard the NHS is the same.

If I found out one of mine had done this, their feet would not touch the ground. The youth who slashed the driver I believe was under 16.

@theotherfossilsister

I get that what has happened is horrible - and the idiots throwing stones and bikes at buses need to be prosecuted. It's terrible for anyone to have to work in those conditions and I do feel appalling for them.

But I also know several people badly affected by this including an elderly person having cancer treatment which ends after seven thirty, and women who are scared to walk in the dark after the events of last week.

I don't know the answer, but I'm upset it's come to this.

Agree completely. I get that action needs taken to protect drivers and the passengers but the short notice of this will have left my carer colleagues seriously in trouble. Many do double shifts and will already be at work when this happened. More notice should have been given.

@Groovee I had no idea about that, how horrible and terrifying.

I work for the council too but home working at the moment. Glad some of those at work are getting lifts. It's probably the email I've not opened yet on my Outlook.

And yes, for carers this is so difficult

It's a horrible situation, because they have to protect the drivers, but longer notice would be been amazing. I just feel like the idiots who did this won't be affected whileas those who are vulnerable will be. I'm furious it's come to this.

Incidentally, DP had three children on bikes ride at him, deliberately on the pavement then laugh as they swerved roundhim at the last minute, Wonder if it's the same mentality, but expressing itself less harmfully in his case.

I got the impression this was almost a sort of strike / walkout which I think is fair enough.

Not sure what the answer is but it’s up to the police and bus management to solve not drivers to put their lives on the line.

It’s really awful. I heard that “gangs” in different areas (eg moredun) were trying to compete with or one-up the gang in clermiston

My DH is a driver for Lothian. His bus has been attacked. It's bloody awful waving him off to work not knowing if he'll be ok. He covers all the routes that have been affected and he says they have no idea where will be next. The other drivers are terrified as so far no deterrents from the police have worked.

There really isn't any other option other than this. Yes it's totally inconvenient of the timing and more notice could have been given. But I'd rather this than my DH being attacked. His colleague was almost blinded last week.

@ImAbsolutelyTwatted that's horrible, I'm sorry. I just feel like if anything the idiots who attack buses might see this as some kind of victory, I completely understand people being too scared to work though.

It's horrible it's come to this.

also, when I say I'm furious, I don't mean with the drivers, but with the idiots and with the situation.

@theotherfossilsister

also, when I say I'm furious, I don't mean with the drivers, but with the idiots and with the situation.

We're furious too. The little shits have no respect and to top it off are competing with other 'gangs' to see how much damage they can cause.

Can only hope that they will get bored although unlikely. To be honest the only reason this has come about is because the drivers were refusing to go out after 7pm. Thankfully they have the union who backed them

It's tricky isn't it? My leftie side is really impressed that the drivers have organised to take this action, my softie side is worried about all the people needing to get home. I think my leftie side is winning but that's easy to say when I'm sitting in the house! Wee shits.

Is this a gang of some kind?

I do understand the drivers. My cab company in london went through a stage of refusing jobs to, from or via certain areas.

@LunaHeather

Is this a gang of some kind?

I do understand the drivers. My cab company in london went through a stage of refusing jobs to, from or via certain areas.

It's a group of teenagers thinking they're a 'gang'. The one that was charged last week was 15.

Bloody outrageous. ImAbsolutelyTwatted sorry to hear your DH has been affected by this and awful for his work colleague who was directly affected by these wee f*ckwits. It gives me the rage. Do these young folk not give a damn?😡

A 15 year old can easily be a scary member of a gang.

I hope they get, er, dealt with.

Surely the bus company should pay to make the buses safer for drivers - full see through door the driver sits behind like in some buses in Glasgow?

@StarryEyeSurprise it's youth throwing rocks at buses which puts passengers at risk. One driver who came out his cab was slashed. The drivers have been begging on fb for parents to speak to their children.

We're still essentially in lockdown. These teens should not be hiding in woods throwing rocks. Or egging each other on. The under 16's will be reported to the children's reporter where as maybe having to stand up in a court room may have more affect.

@StarryEyeSurprise, unfortunately it's not just the driver at risk. This week there have been windows smashed right beside the wheelchair and pram spaces, with shattered glass going all over the place . Absolute eejits who think it's clever. I'm not normally a fan of "withdrawing services" but think in this case it's their only option. I know it's going to be difficult for some to get home but at the end of the day why should the drivers be put at danger.

@ImAbsolutelyTwatted hope your husband and his colleagues are safer when services return. It's ridiculous - endangering the drivers and customers isn't big or clever in any way

@StarryEyeSurprise

Surely the bus company should pay to make the buses safer for drivers - full see through door the driver sits behind like in some buses in Glasgow?

But if you throw stuff at someone driving any vehicle, you're trying to make them crash. Just a door isn't going to help.

Is this kids bored in lockdown?

I fear there'll be a permanent reduction in service. Another thing lost to Covid.

A taxi company is giving 40% discount to bus users. Not much good if you're on nmw and have a long journey though I guess. Lots of women on local FB groups offering lifts to lone female workers.
Also someone has set up an initiative called homesafe, there's a go fund me. It's nothing to do with the buses stopping but it's aim is to offer free safe black cab rides for women home once the pubs open which I think is brilliant.
Awful for the bus drivers, they're going to need secure cabins at this rate but still leaves passengers vulnerable. I witnessed young boys throwing bottles of water right in front of my car the other day, just missed the driver in front, little shits .

@LizzieMacQueen

Is this kids bored in lockdown?

I fear there'll be a permanent reduction in service. Another thing lost to Covid.

I think it’s worse than being bored, I think without school and sports / youth clubs they’ve become completely detached from society

I'm as anti lockdown as it's possible to be but this is indefensible.

Lothian buses have a legal duty regarding the health and welfare of drivers and passengers. Clearly the measures being taken at the moment by the police aren’t working and the situation is escalating - a driver or passenger or member of the public could be killed. Quite rightly, they have ceased services before that happens

From what I have seen, they will be reviewing the position tomorrow presumably after further discussion with the police and their insurers probably and then the relevant unions

Obviously it is difficult for these with hospital appointments but there are other options of travel for them and hopefully friends and family would offer lifts if possible - am a bit surprised that someone having cancer treatment is getting the bus home to be honest and am sure a taxi could be arranged for them via the hospital

However, it would be totally unreasonable to expect drivers to keep working at the moment. Maybe the inconvenience may put some pressure on the friends and family of the gangs doung this - I refuse to believe they are operating in a vacuum

Thank you SewGood you have just reminded me that I need to sew a pocket in my coat! Sorry completely unrelated to this thread 😳