Abusive/threatening driver

[Alistair G.]

Hi all,

Firstly, this is a thread about a bus driver, so apologies it's appearing in a rail forum but I know quite a few on here that share an interest so thought I would share what happened this morning to see if this has happened to anybody before and what peoples opinion of whole thing is.

I decided to go and take few pictures this morning whilst the mrs had her hair cut in the town of Aylesbury. I decided I would stand on the corner opposite the bus station entrance so I could also keep an eye on the train station behind me.

I stood near the traffic lights so I would be able get a decent shot should I be lucky enough to catch a red. Anyway, whilst taking picture I notched the number 50 service approaching up from the station so thought I would get a few shots. As he started approaching where I stood he started breaking and thought that was odd as I could see that he was on a green traffic light.

As he got nearer he opened his cab window and shouted 'if you point that camera at me again I'll shove that thing where the sun don't shine"

I was really surprised by this, I made sure I had stayed clear of their depot and the actual bus station as I didn't want to intrude or get in any bodies way, but here I was, not hurting anybody and just taking a few bus shots.... I couldn't believe his attitude!.

Has anybody else ever had this experience and what did you do?. Needless to say really but I have emailed arriva although I'm sure this will do no good!. Any thought or comments always welcome!!!.

 

[starrymarkb]

I'd suggest calling 0844 800 4411 on Monday Morning. I can understand some drivers be reluctant to be photographed but he could (and should) have been polite.

 

[Alistair G.]

I encountered a few drivers who didn't want to their photo taken and they simply raised their running cards over their face so they weren't visable, fair enough.... But I'm genuinely not interested in them!!... It's their bus!!. I used to drive buses and if I saw a photographer I use to slow my bus right down to give them a chance of getting a shot, when they raised there hand to say thanks I would smile, give a pap on the horn and away I went. I always thought it was a bonus to have enthusiasts, people who care for the profession and at very least another pair of eyes to keep a look out for things on the bus!.

I shall be ringing that number first thing Monday mate, thanks for that!.

 

[RPM]

I'd have thought a bus driver on a public highway would have even less of an argument about being photographed than a train driver (on private property) would.

I don't photograph buses so I wouldn't know how common this sort of problem is. However in nearly 30 years of photographing trains I have never had a driver object to having his train photographed. As a train driver myself I would never dream of objecting to it - in fact it is rather nice to occasionally stumble upon pictures on oneself in the driving seat!

Takes all sorts though. This bloke is probably just an awkward/arsey type.

 

[causton]

I have had this happen on about a quarter of the days that I go out photographing buses. Mostly I find it when I get home, I go to edit the photo and find they've been sticking 2 fingers up at me or other rude gestures, sometimes they cover their face with their hand but only a couple of times have they been vocal enough to shout at me! Which has of course been followed up by me emailing/phoning their company, providing the images where appropriate!

 

[Alistair G.]

RPM. I agree, I've never met a traindriver yet that has complained about a picture being taken, a few have even approached me whilst doing station duties to ask if I can text a picture through to them when I get the chance (which I'm always happy to!)

It's a shame to see that this kind of behaviour is deemed acceptable by people who are actually employed to provide a public service! It won't deter me from taking more photos though!!!... I guess that's my way of putting 2 fingers back up at them! (coz I'm too polite to do it really)

 

[anthony263]

First and Stagecoach have clampped down on their drivers doing this sort of behaviour as it doesnt present a professional image to the public and the driver is taking his attention off the road which is a big no no.

I do hope Arriva are the same.

Speaking as a bus driver myself I never object to having my picture taking especially since I already know that I am being recorded on cctv everyday so I have nothing to hide. The majority of the time you cannot really get a good look at the drivers face anyway.

 

[notadriver]

Alistair sorry for whats happened to you. The sad truth of it is some bus drivers hate their job and hate being a bus driver. They are embarassed to be photographed at work even though as others have said their faces will be barely visible anyway.

 

[burns20]

I always slow down and smile if safe to do so.

Yet to see myself in print tho.

Always a big thing at work if we make Buses, Route One or CBW.

 

[Alistair G.]

Well thanks for the feedback guys. Shame one guy ruined what other wise would have been a nice day!..... At least I got some pictures though!!

Let's see what arriva say on Monday!

 

[455driver]

One miserable git wouldnt ruin my day, I was at Reading platform 6 and as I photgraphed a HST arriving the driver decided to give me the winker (misprint) sign, I just reported the driver to FGW using the headcode, train ID and powercar number just so there was no problem identifying him.

There really is no need for this at all and it really gets my goat that people get upset at having their photo taken in this way, if you are driving a large vehicle of any sort then somebody will want a photo of it. Shoving a camera in someones face is a different matter, although not relevant in this case.

 

[theboywho]

I once had a spot of bother with a coach driver who got terribly annoyed with me for taking his picture. The coach had been far too close to my boot and refused to back off and give me any space. To make matters worse his coach made an awful sound every time it stopped inches from my boot.

Taking matters into my own hands, I photographed the driver from my car (in stop/start traffic, I add). At this the said driver left his coach and proceeded to hurl abuse through my open window.

Charming.

 

[TrainfanBen]

This may seem odd but could the driver be more concerned about any flash disrupting his vision?

How he reacted was over the top, I'd report it to the operator, quoting the relevant information.

 

[bb21]

This may seem odd but could the driver be more concerned about any flash disrupting his vision?

Could have been, however there is no excuse for throwing abuse at people as a preventative measure.

Stagecoach was the first company I remember that had notices up at depot warning drivers of such behaviour, which would lead to disciplinary actions. I am glad that First are clamping down too.

Perhaps the OP can ask Arriva about their corporate policy on this?

 

[Antman]

Hi all,

Firstly, this is a thread about a bus driver, so apologies it's appearing in a rail forum but I know quite a few on here that share an interest so thought I would share what happened this morning to see if this has happened to anybody before and what peoples opinion of whole thing is.

I decided to go and take few pictures this morning whilst the mrs had her hair cut in the town of Aylesbury. I decided I would stand on the corner opposite the bus station entrance so I could also keep an eye on the train station behind me.

I stood near the traffic lights so I would be able get a decent shot should I be lucky enough to catch a red. Anyway, whilst taking picture I notched the number 50 service approaching up from the station so thought I would get a few shots. As he started approaching where I stood he started breaking and thought that was odd as I could see that he was on a green traffic light.

As he got nearer he opened his cab window and shouted 'if you point that camera at me again I'll shove that thing where the sun don't shine"

I was really surprised by this, I made sure I had stayed clear of their depot and the actual bus station as I didn't want to intrude or get in any bodies way, but here I was, not hurting anybody and just taking a few bus shots.... I couldn't believe his attitude!.

Has anybody else ever had this experience and what did you do?. Needless to say really but I have emailed arriva although I'm sure this will do no good!. Any thought or comments always welcome!!!.

Firstly you've nothing to apologise for.

Secondly this mouthy driver is a disgrace to his profession. Moaning about being photographed and then attracting attention to himself like that, I'd love to have filmed his rant and put it on youtube.

Certainly contact Arriva about it and it may be worth reporting the incident to the local police regarding threatening behaviour and possibly driving without due care and attention, I think the police may well want a word with him about it

 

[anthony263]

Firstly you've nothing to apologise for.

Secondly this driver is clearly a mouthy tw@t who is a disgrace to his profession. Moaning about being photographed and then attracting attention to himself like that, I'd love to have filmed his rant and put it on youtube.

Certainly contact Arriva about it and it may be worth reporting the incident to the local police regarding threatening behaviour and possibly driving without due care and attention, I think the police may well want a word with him about it

If he was working for First I can safely say that he would have been called in to see his supervisor and area manager if it was really serious.

First are very strict on safety having read their policies and watched the safety briefing dvd's they give to all new employee's

 

[34D]

I always slow down and smile if safe to do so.

Yet to see myself in print tho.

Always a big thing at work if we make Buses, Route One or CBW.

Agree 100%

 

[anthony263]

Sadly I dont get my picture taken very often although it always pleases me when I do.

 

[IanD]

Truly shocking! You take your Mrs to Aylesbury for a haircut??

 

[90019]

Moaning about being photographed and then attracting attention to himself like that, I'd love to have filmed his rant and put it on youtube.

So you'd take yourself down to his level and deliberately be an arse about it to make a point?

 

[notadriver]

I would consider doing that to some bus inspectors. The way some treat bus drivers is disgusting.

 

[anthony263]

I would consider doing that to some bus inspectors. The way some treat bus drivers is disgusting.

Yes there are some inspectors who are a little full of themselves but some drivers dont really help themselves.

The only people I really have issue's with are the green road people. That system which monitors your driving if you are working for First is more trouble that its worth in my opinion

 

[AnonymousUser1]

Alistair sorry for whats happened to you. The sad truth of it is some bus drivers hate their job and hate being a bus driver. They are embarassed to be photographed at work even though as others have said their faces will be barely visible anyway.

or perhaps the driver thought you were a DWP / insurance fraud type alternatively he thought you were a PI ...

 

[Stonesourscotty]

there was a driver who works at arriva in merseyside that used to give people awful looks or the finger if they wore a heavy metal tshirt i reported him this started my dislike of arriva st helens.

 

[185]

Often the first thought from some Drivers is that's someone from the Child Support Agency or the Department of Work and Pensions... OMG!!!!

 

[Antman]

So you'd take yourself down to his level and deliberately be an arse about it to make a point?

What are you talking about?

If I lived in the area and I knew who the driver was I'd make a point of pointing a camera.at him at every opportunity, just to show him up for the gob$h!te that he is

 

[deltic1989]

I agree with an earlier poster that drivers of larger vehicles should expect people to want the odd picture.
I take the odd bus photo and have had nothing worse than a puzzled look. Most drivers give a wave, smile, thumbs up or other greeting gesture. I am shocked that a bus driver would give this type of reaction, not only is he representing his company, he is in a customer facing role. If he is like that then I shudder to think what he is like with the passengers.
I get that there are good days and bad days but that really is no excuse for rudeness on this scale.
I am a truck driver and I sometimes get my truck photographed (more so in the last couple of weeks for some reason), even if I am having a bad day I smile and wave, I take it as a compliment that people want a picture of my vehicle. I am also conscious of the fact that my cab has the name of the company I work for in 4 inch letters on the side with phone number ad the trailer has the name of the company we sub-contract for in 10 foot high letters, so I am very much representing the company and don't want to get us a bad rep.
At the firm I work for we even have a tally going on how many times we get 'spotted' with a £20 prize for the most 'spotted' driver.

 

[notadriver]

It seems quite hard to 'hide' from a photographer in a road vehicle if that is the right word. In a train the blinds/tinting and smaller window area seem to make hiding easier.

 

[bb21]

What are you talking about?

If I lived in the area and I knew who the driver was I'd make a point of pointing a camera.at him at every opportunity, just to show him up for the gob$h!te that he is

... which is exactly 90019's point.

Take it up with people in higher authority through the right channels and deal with it like a mature adult. Not tit-for-tat. An eye for an eye is never the solution. Lowering yourself to his level will just show you up as being no better than him.

Antagonising him further solves nothing and will likely make the situation worse.

 

[Antman]

... which is exactly 90019's point.

Take it up with people in higher authority through the right channels and deal with it like a mature adult. Not tit-for-tat. An eye for an eye is never the solution. Lowering yourself to his level will just show you up as being no better than him.

Antagonising him further solves nothing and will likely make the situation worse.

Oh come on it would be hilarious, even more so if there were a few others all photographing him
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I agree with an earlier poster that drivers of larger vehicles should expect people to want the odd picture.
I take the odd bus photo and have had nothing worse than a puzzled look. Most drivers give a wave, smile, thumbs up or other greeting gesture. I am shocked that a bus driver would give this type of reaction, not only is he representing his company, he is in a customer facing role. If he is like that then I shudder to think what he is like with the passengers.
I get that there are good days and bad days but that really is no excuse for rudeness on this scale.
I am a truck driver and I sometimes get my truck photographed (more so in the last couple of weeks for some reason), even if I am having a bad day I smile and wave, I take it as a compliment that people want a picture of my vehicle. I am also conscious of the fact that my cab has the name of the company I work for in 4 inch letters on the side with phone number ad the trailer has the name of the company we sub-contract for in 10 foot high letters, so I am very much representing the company and don't want to get us a bad rep.
At the firm I work for we even have a tally going on how many times we get 'spotted' with a £20 prize for the most 'spotted' driver.

And thankfully most drivers are the same, there were some special workings on Saturday to celebrate 100 years of route 76 in London, loads of photographers and smiling happy drivers