[Annabellarine]

Every time my bus stops at my stop, the driver brakes two or three times at the last minute, timed so ANYONE standing up will trip and nearly fall over. They do it every time. I think they are acting out prejudices and that this is willful bad braking. I've seen them do it to someone from Africa, and I don't know why they are doing it now, but at my bus stop they do it every time. I think it's because someone has spread some nasty false gossip. But I don't know what to do. It's so willful - they don't do it at other stops. It's very nasty and upsetting. It frightens me because I wonder - why are they doing it? What will people think? Will they jump to some nasty conclusions and do even worse? How do you counteract slander or very nasty false stories?

[J_9]

How about calling the bus company and complaining?

[tickle]

I think you may be getting the wrong idea. He probably has to do that because the bus has air brakes and he is making a safe stop because it is a school bus.

Tick

[answerme_tender]

If this is a school bus, the bus driver should be writing you up or contacting transportation director so he can advise the safety issues of having a student standing up when bus is moving, even if coming up to your stop, wait till its at a complete stop, with stop arm out. That way you won't be caught off guard on how many times he has to apply the air brakes. Safety first

[Annabellarine]

I think you may be getting the wrong idea. He probably has to do that because the bus has air brakes and he is making a safe stop because it is a school bus.

tick

This is NOT a school bus. Also, it doesn't happen at every stop.

[Annabellarine]

If this is a school bus, the bus driver should be writing you up or contacting transportation director so he can advise the safety issues of having a student standing up when bus is moving, even if comming up to your stop, wait till its at a complete stop, with stop arm out. That way you wont be caught off guard on how many times he has to apply the air brakes. safety first

It's so scarey I never get out of my seat until the bus has properly stopped. But they really do do the braking more at my stop.

[Alty]

Then complain to the bus company. Call and tell them what's happening and demand that they speak to the driver.

That's really the only thing you can do, unless you feel you can talk to the driver about it.

If other people are noticing this than encourage them to phone in a complaint as well. The more people that complain about this, the more serious the company will take the complaint.

[answerme_tender]

If not school bus, then call bus company and check what their policy is and how many times you to apply the brakes to come to complete stop

[Annabellarine]

If this is a school bus, the bus driver should be writing you up or contacting transportation director so he can advise the safety issues of having a student standing up when bus is moving, even if comming up to your stop, wait till its at a complete stop, with stop arm out. That way you wont be caught off guard on how many times he has to apply the air brakes. safety first

It's NOT a school bus. I'm not a child. I don't stand up till the bus is stopped. But the driver still does the weird braking - not at every stop though. That's why it feels like bullying. They discriminate as to when they do it.

[Annabellarine]

Then complain to the bus company. Call and tell them what's happening and demand that they speak to the driver.

That's really the only thing you can do, unless you feel you can talk to the driver about it.

If other people are noticing this than encourage them to phone in a complaint as well. The more people that complain about this, the more serious the company will take the complaint.

I think you're right. I'll try and call. I just worry that it will get worse when I call. But maybe I should call anyway.

[Annabellarine]

If not school bus, then call bus company and check what their policy is and how many times you to apply the brakes to come to complete stop

I'll try this. Thanks.

[Alty]

I think you're right. I'll try and call. I just worry that it will get worse when I call. But maybe I should call anyway.

You don't have to give them your name. If they care about their business than they'll make sure that the driver knows that this can cost him his job. It shouldn't get worse, but if it does, call again, and keep calling until they understand that this isn't okay.

You have a right to call. You're paying for a service and the driver isn't properly doing his job. There are plenty of people that would love to have a job driving a bus, or any job at all, so if he cares about his job after his supervisor tells him there have been complaints, he'll stop his behaviour.

[Annabellarine]

Then complain to the bus company. Call and tell them what's happening and demand that they speak to the driver.

That's really the only thing you can do, unless you feel you can talk to the driver about it.

If other people are noticing this than encourage them to phone in a complaint as well. The more people that complain about this, the more serious the company will take the complaint.

I tried to be friendly to the driver and chat when I got on the bus yesterday, but the driver didn't make any eye contact at all. It's not just one driver that is weird and does the braking. I don't catch the bus every day. Maybe only 2 or 3 times a week. But it's starting to stress me out, because it feels like they're discriminating. I might try and phone the company though.

[Alty]

Let us know how it goes. :)

[Annabellarine]

I ph'd the main bus company: I didn't know that two companies service this bus route. I asked about their policy on braking - he didn't understand. So I explained what had been happening and he said there is no reason to brake several times before stopping at a bus stop. He asked what times and which day it had happened on. He'd said he'd speak to their driver & also notify the other company. He apologized. In future I'll keep a record of how it goes. I was at least glad that he took it seriously and apologized too. As I said to him, it's a dangerous practice.

Thanks for all your answers. It gave me some idea of what to say when I phoned. I hope it improves. It really upsets me, somehow. Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciated it.

[Alty]

I'm glad you called. Good for you.

I hope this stops and you don't have to make any further calls, but if it continues don't hesitate to call again. Like I said, this is their business, you pay for a service and you have a right to be satisfied with that service and complain if something isn't right.

Keep us posted on how it goes. :)