People divided after man 'ignored' by Stagecoach bus

Many are on the driver's side

PlymouthLive readers have been discussing the news that Stagecoach has been criticised by a Plymouth resident who claimed he was overlooked at a bus stop, with the company taking seven weeks to apologise.

David Stanbury, along with three other individuals strangers to each other were left stranded at a bus stop at the George Park and Ride on Wednesday, July 31, when a Stagecoach bus they attempted to hail ignored them.

82-year-old Mr Stanbury stated that he lodged a complaint a few days after the incident and even conversed with another Stagecoach driver at the time of the event, but it took the firm 24 days, over three weeks to respond to him.

Due to a mistake in his complaint submission he wrote 01.45 instead of 1.45pm the company dismissed it, stating 'we don't run buses at this time'. Although Mr Stanbury promptly corrected his error, it took the company another three weeks to reply to him, totalling almost seven weeks before he received an apology.

A member of the Stagecoach Customer Engagement Team responded to Mr Stanbury on September 17, offering him a seven-day ticket. However, as a pensioner, he already qualifies for free bus travel.

Plymouth Live has reached out to the company's representatives for a comment, but no formal response has been received at the time of writing.

Commenter Legendendary says: “Well, it’s always good if you put your hand out!” StuartPlymouth agrees: “Yes, indeed. Telepathy is a very rare feature in humans.”

Doct adds: “A bus they 'tried to flag down'. Well, sticking your hand out and expecting the driver to see you when they are watching passengers already on the bus, other traffic around the bus, and what is going on on the road adjacent to them prior to stopping or otherwise, doesn't always mean that your signal has been seen.

"I don't consider that 'being ignored'! It would be very different if you stuck your hand out, the driver acknowledged seeing you - either by indicating to pull to the curb, or by a nod or reciprocal 'wave' - and then blithely sailed by... but that doesn't appear to be what happened. Sounds like a genuine mistake on the part of the driver, in my view. Accept an apology and make a note to self, ' Make sure my signal to a bus driver is as obvious as possible and gives them the time to stop safely!'”

Albertgate is frustrated: “So 4 people stood at a bus stop and not one of them had the sense to put their hand out to indicate they wanted the bus to stop?

"There were 3 different buses using that stop. Do you expect the driver to stop for nothing while you are standing there like a stewed prune? If you want it to stop, put your hand out!”

Jannerjanner thinks: “Moaning about a Service he doesn't even pay for. Cheek!” Latereapricum replies: “If he is a taxpayer, then he is paying for it!”

AJGreen adds: “The whole point of concessional travel is that the elderly don't pay. The government pays for that concession, country-wide. Without the elderly, the buses would suffer badly during every working day. This is more a case of the elderly getting revenue to the bus companies that they would fail to get otherwise. There was a time when buses always stopped when there were passengers waiting and only request stops (blue signs) meant they wouldn't stop without a signal. How those times have changed.”

M1785 says: “Complaints aren't instantly dealt with these days, there’s always an investigation. The company will find a way to blame the public as always. The buses are not like they used to be, mine always look dirty and are either late or early.”

Caw agrees: “Sounds about right. They seem to do what they want, more than likely late, even first thing in the morning, or don't meet the needs of the passenger. It's all about profit and not about the passenger.”

Timmy123 points out: “It is mostly the public that are at fault. How many people at bus stops have their faces glued to their phones then they miss the bus? They will then complain and blame the driver as he ignored them. Buses are late? Then get rid of traffic, roadworks and traffic lights - then every bus will be on time.”

Pogmothoin disagrees: “I haven’t caught the bus as a passenger for years. Bus drivers in general are ignorant, if you give way to them because the roads are narrow or for whatever reason, they don’t even acknowledge you or wave to say thanks.”

Melvdrew02 replies: “It might be too risky for them. They have passengers' safety to worry about and company rules to follow. They aren't on mega-wages and have tight schedules to meet.”

Do you think buses should stop at every stop regardless of whether there are passengers waiting? Have your say in our comments section.