AS DS being bullied by school transport driver -advice???

[Bluesunday]

Hi, my DS (13) has AS and goes to a unit about ten miles away, so we get free school transport (taxi). The last few weeks though, the taxi driver has been making horrible comments to my DS. He stares at DS in amusement/confusion and shakes his head, as if he can't believe/understand this kid, if you know what I mean. He keeps waving his hands in front of my DS's face to get a reaction(I guess DS has a bit of a blank look sometimes). DS can't smile, taxi driver says "cheer up" etc. I said to DS last night, "the next time he makes a comment like that, you say 'I have autism', and that will shut him up." So today in the taxi on the way home, driver said "why don't you ever smile?" DS said "I have autism". Driver said, "you're just using that as an excuse."
I phoned taxi firm to complain, didn't get any reaction. I phoned council and asked if they could get him in a taxi with a different driver, they said they would phone taxi company and talk to the driver, and get back to me on Tuesday. But I don't want my DS to be driven by a 50 year old bully! DS is quaking at the thought of seeing him again.
I can't get DS to school on bus, it's 3 bus changes and 2 hour journey (we live in Wales). A private taxi will cost me £90-100 a week, I haven't got that! What can I do? I'm not sending DS to school with that man on Tuesday. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Any advice?
BTW, taxi driver KNOWS Ds has AS, so it seems to me he is bullying, rather than just ignorant.

Oh a quick google suggests LEA's can make up their own rules. I think all transport here is provided with escorts (1 per taxi, 2 per bus) but having said that I don't know if that is true for the AS units (not that there are many).

Do they? I didn't know that... There's never been an escort - will ask LEA when they phone back this afternoon

It does look as if they can make up their own rules and I get the impression that my LEA is rather generous with its escort services. It can help in this sort of situation though as there's another adult to judge what is going on. It protects the kids and the adults.

DS1 used to go in a taxi, 1 driver, 1 escort, 2 kids. Now he goes on a bus with one driver about 7 kids and 2 escorts.

LEA just rang back, she said kids only have escorts if it's specified they need one in their statement. LEA said all drivers are crb checked and trained "but we can't help the odd one with a bad attitude" - but if one turns out to have a bad attitude they could do something about him by removing him from the SN pick-ups! I'm glad I've got my son's problem resolved, I just hope they remove him from the school run for the other kids' sake - don't get me wrong, I don't want him sacked, I just don't want him working with SN kids!

Bluesunday, what a terrible man and glad your ds does not have to travel with the idiot anymore.

You should put your complaint about this driver in writing to the LEA, to ensure that is doesnt happen to any other children, especially the ones who are unable to speak up about it.

As you say you dont want him sacked, just not working with SN kids. Once its in writing and on file, they wont be able to let him work with sn children and will get into serious trouble if they do and it happens again.

Glad you got it sorted Bluesunday. I think a good driver/escort can make all the difference and I hope that one gets taken off the special needs run. Can't say I'd fancy being picked up by a sarcastic taxi driver either.

Claw - I will do. Thanks everyone for your advice and support X