Rude bus drivers.
@joey_matthews (8354)
October 25, 2010 5:51pm CST
During my life I have experienced some very bad bus drivers and to a certain degree this is somewhat expected these days as they class their job as very stress. (Try working in a busy kitchen)
My question is what do you generally experience and have you ever reported a driver?
I caught 4 buses today for a very long journey, 3 drivers was very friendly and polite although the very last just used swear all the time. I was with my children who are very young and language like that tends to scare them as they seem to think bad people only swear. At one point this driver just kept shouting the F word and I can't believe for a second that it's acceptable.
Have you ever experienced this?
4 people like this
18 responses
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
25 Oct 10
This happens quite frequently where I am, almost on a daily basis.
Rude drivers are the norm around here, they don't care how they act around the passengers, even children.
I have had to report drivers in the past, but it's not easy to report them around here, as the customer service line is only open 9-5.
It's amazing how ignorant some drivers can be.
I haven't taken the bus in a while, but I have had my experiences during the time that I did.
1 person likes this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
25 Oct 10
It is difficult to complain.
I tend to e-mail them, with the time and bus number + explain in detail why I am complaining. Out three times I've complained, twice I got "sorry we couldn't find any CCTV footage to back up your claims, We're very sorry for this but we cannot take any action" and one time we're I didn't receive any apology just a pass for 3 days unlimited travel which was nice but I was only giving feedback so they could improve.
Seems to be the norm where ever these days Kris, I don't think the bus companies actually care as they know people will use them regardless.
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
25 Oct 10
I don't think our cameras record voice, so you wouldn't be able to tell what the driver was saying.
However, they've never offered anything here for any reports filed.
That's the problem with our transit system and the survey they performed indicated that. Our transit system lacks good customer service.
1 person likes this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
26 Oct 10
Ah that's a shame.
I know most people don't want anything for complaining but it's nice when they say sorry or do a nice gesture. There should actually be something watching over customer service to make sure standards are being met but that's the problem with the things are right now. Most customer service areas are failing :(
Thanks
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
26 Oct 10
Hi Joey I have never experienced anything like that on the
buses.. But taxis definitely.. Have you ever approached the bus
driver and told him/her that the language or actions you are
witnessing is not professional ? Have you ever asked him/her
to tone it down ..that you are ashamed of such things in front of your
children??
I am so sorry your children have to witness such atrocious language.
Perhaps reporting it to the main headquarters of the busline would
help?
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
26 Oct 10
I guess it's different where you are.
Bus Drivers would be fired for such conduct here.
Cab Drivers, however, are known to be more gruff and ruff.
Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
26 Oct 10
I didn't approach the driver as I prefer to avoid that type of situation. A few years back a women with a crying baby was thrown off the bus, so I always tend to wait after and report it.
Hopefully it might just be a one off but I have reported it, just a case of if they will actually speak to their drivers about this sort of behaviour.
If you swear in general or towards a driver you can be fined, banned from the service and reported to the police but it's seems different for drivers who do it as generally the city buses are often driven by rude people.
Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157837)
• United States
26 Oct 10
I have not taken the bus, as we do not have public transit in my small town. I was a school bus driver. We would have gotten in trouble for swearing at students. On the other hand, some of them were so crabby and complained so much about how the kids acted or even griped if the kids did not smile first thing in the morning. It is important to try to get along and be kind to everyone. You never know what kind of a bad day they might be having, even kids.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Oct 10
hi joey I live in California in the US and take the short ac cess bus for handicapped elderly people and younger handicapped people too. mostg of the drivers are very kind but the older ones have more patience with us older people than some of the younger ones.One actually snipped at me p;lease move it maam. now to me as I am partly physically handicapped if I had moved any faster I wou ld have fell.Most are really very kind and helpful too.I hate to hear any men at work spouting out the f word. its bad and so disgusting and wrong in front of little kids. I 
have heard them do this and no its not acceptable at all. you can report them.
have heard them do this and no its not acceptable at all. you can report them.1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 Oct 10
It is my opinion that so many people today are quite stressed and overworked, so you have the naturally normal rude ones vent out loud. It is no excuse for anyone to be this way, as there are so many unemployed people today that would jump for their job and probably do a better job.
I have experienced things like this and have literally stared into the person's eyes and said how it this all really necessary. Usually they get embarrassed and look the other way. some just simply don't care and go ahead with their bad selves and continue the obscenities.
1 person likes this
@Roflcopters (18)
•
26 Oct 10
i not that long ago had to get on a bus, after the bus driver took my money, and i sat down with my ticket, he claimed i didnt give him the right amount, when i gave him a note and i got the right amount of change, then he accused me of lying and kicked me out off the bus and kept my money, so i reported him and he no longer drove on my route , but when i got to the bus station i caught a glimps off him in the corner of my eye and he noticed me and chased me down the street shouting "you f***ing b******" and i was extremely scared but i think he got fired from his job for drinking while on the job.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
30 Oct 10
gosh I have never heard of a driver going on like that. It is such a bother here that no I don't report drivers, the transit commission does not care
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
27 Oct 10
I think anyone who takes public transport have their fair share of the rude, ugly and impatient drivers. The issue is complains to the relevant authorities may also just fall onto deaf ears. I once complain to the public transport company about one of its drivers moving off while my mum was still alighting. The answer was just an apology and that's it. What can I do except just let it be.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
Where I live, buses are one of the biggest public transport vehicles that everyday commuters use to go to different places where they want to go, I guess its second to Jeeps here.
I think I have heard a driver swear before but, most of the time, they do it when they get confronted with some sort of problem that involves who is right and wrong in the situation. Sometimes, two drivers would be having the argument. Perhaps a driver and another motorist or even traffic enforcers. Never on passengers I believe 'cause that's one of the things that bus drivers and conductors avoid. If a passenger complains to the bus company, their jobs might be at risk.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 Oct 10
I have never experienced such a thing. Not from the drivers! Some drivers have been curt and even unhelpful, but mostly it is the passengers whom I have seen acting crazy. That is a long bus journey, Joey! Aside from amusement rides such as at the zoo or some other entertainment park, I have not ridden a bus for a very long time, although years ago I did the bus and "el"/subway commute to and from work.
If my driver shouted the F word I would file a formal complaint, hopefully anonymously, as that person is clearly deranged. There is no excuse for that!
@his0yir (258)
•
26 Oct 10
I find bus drivers in small towns tend to be more friendly, but you also see nice and helpful bus drivers in big cities. They drive safely and are willing to answer your questions. Because bus companies have been enforcing rules on drivers, the standard of their service seems to improve over time. At least we don't encounter devil drivers who speed and run through traffic light, or move the bus immediately after old people get on.
The worst I can see nowadays are drivers who show contempt to certain customers, but it is getting very very rare. Besides, they may get reported by customers. Bus companies are quite serious about it.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
26 Oct 10
I have had a few rude bus drivers to deal with before. Some were school bus drivers and some were public transportation. Sometimes you just have to wonder what makes a bus driver lose his cool.
@mandy8611 (154)
• China
26 Oct 10
I have had this kind of experience before, the bus driver was so rude, he said you can just go to report me, I don't fear. every passenger on the bus was angry with him. but since everyone was in a hurry, no one reaaly reported him
@Kirinx (1688)
• United States
26 Oct 10
I have never had to report a bus driver for being rude
because not many people can really get under my skin
like that.If he/she is rude I often ignore them and act as if they
arent even there. They just want someone to respond to their negativity
and Im not interested in playing their game. you guys should just ignore them
they are just being rude because they hate their job and such.
@jharia20 (365)
• Philippines
26 Oct 10
i rarely ride a bus but one time, my friend invited me to her debut and the cheapest way to get their is through bus. The Bus driver is very reckless. I thought i would die that time. He overtake, drive too fast, and hit the break even if he will not slow down first. it is very embarrassing that i screamed at the bus and all of the passengers look at me..
