Problems whilst Photting buses?

[221129]

Hi all,

I would like to hear any stories of bus (Or Coach) drivers Being abusive or in anyway givbing you issues whilst trying to phot buses.

What Company, Where, and what did you do about it?

I started thinking about this just now when As i was going through some pictures just now I saw that I had one where a Stagecoach SW driver had placed his 2 Fingers up at me and TempleMeads.

 

[83G/84D]

Send a complaint (recorded post) to the manager of Stagecoach for that area. If an unsatisfactory/no reply escalate it higher. Not acceptable.

 

[221129]

I have Literally Just emailed them now so will see what they have to say. But I will take higher if nessacary

 

[trentside]

Stagecoach are usually quite good about this sort of thing, certainly their North East division issued instructions that any driver caught doing this would be disciplined (or something to that effect). I've never really had any issues with Stagecoach East Midlands - but the company has a history of at least (semi)-enthusiast management.

You'll almost certainly get a response, but if you don't do as 83G/84D suggests. With smaller operators, it depends on the company - many take it seriously but there is a certain type of operator that won't care, luckily it's not one of these in this case.

 

[MK Tom]

I have issues with passengers a few times but I never have trouble with drivers in this area. I think they're just used to it so think nothing of it. The little independents seem to love getting photted; I almost always get smiles off Vale Travel and Z&S drivers. With the bigger ones blank faces are usual but they are just doing their day jobs so you can't expect them to be cheery. But any kind of negative gesture like that is a case of informing the operator of the specific service etc in question. Send them the picture too.

 

[anthony263]

Stagecoach has put out notices in all their depots warning staff not to give abuse to photographer.

Luckily in south wales I know a few bus drivers who work for Stagecoach who are photographers themselves so the otehr members of staff know as well and normally most drivers dont seem to care although so do give a wave or smile.

There was a small incident a few months ago involving a driver for first cymru which ended up in the local newspaper.

That said I have see some stupid reactions off some drivers such as one pulling the sun visor down so that they couldnt see (That incident got reported to the company conerned)

 

[221129]

Stagecoach has put out notices in all their depots warning staff not to give abuse to photographer.

Luckily in south wales I know a few bus drivers who work for Stagecoach who are photographers themselves so the otehr members of staff know as well and normally most drivers dont seem to care although so do give a wave or smile.

There was a small incident a few months ago involving a driver for first cymru which ended up in the local newspaper.

That said I have see some stupid reactions off some drivers such as one pulling the sun visor down so that they couldnt see (That incident got reported to the company conerned)

In the past few days most drivers have pulled funny grins or waved but some just shielded the face.... but I have reported this to SC SW so will wait and see....

 

[Shrimper]

When I worked for Stagecoach we were always told never to make gestures like that, even as a joke to a friend, as it could be misinterpreted or caught on film by a member of the public.

Personally I have no problem being photographed (in fact I occasionally check Flickr to see if I have been - I've found one so far!), and have never heard any complaints from drivers anywhere I've worked.

 

[bb21]

I agree that the matter needs to be reported. As anthony263 has pointed out above, it is corporate policy for Stagecoach that drivers are not permitted to throw abuse at enthusiasts and notices have been posted at all depots across the country regarding this matter. Failing that there will be disciplinary consequences.

It is unacceptable for a member of staff to behave in such a manner, provided that the gesture was not intended as a joke.

 

[anthony263]

I know a few drivers who seem to love getting their photos taken. Although sadly I havent really found many taken of myself yet although I have found one or two.

First have stated themselves that their drivers should not give abuse to enthusiasts especially since the management know it can end up in the press (As I mentioned in a previous post about one such case ending up in the south wales evening post a few months back)

The staff who drive Stagecoach services X3/X33 Cardiff - Pontypool - Abergavenny & X14 Newport - Chepstow - Bristol to be some of the most freindly i have come across.

 

[90019]

I know a few drivers who seem to love getting their photos taken. Although sadly I havent really found many taken of myself yet although I have found one or two.

I discovered a few days ago that I'm in one of the photos on the Lothian Buses page on Wikipedia.

 

[34D]

Can see this from both sides. I certainly don't mind being photod when I'm on the road, though I can see why some people would feel their privacy was being threatened.

After all, go into Boots and take a picture of the bird on the makeup counter and I'm sure you'll be escorted out!

Finally, do recall that whilst photography from the roadside may be completely permitted, bus stations themselves may be private places therefore permission should be asked and one may be asked to sign in.

 

[221129]

Can see this from both sides. I certainly don't mind being photod when I'm on the road, though I can see why some people would feel their privacy was being threatened.

After all, go into Boots and take a picture of the bird on the makeup counter and I'm sure you'll be escorted out!

Finally, do recall that whilst photography from the roadside may be completely permitted, bus stations themselves may be private places therefore permission should be asked and one may be asked to sign in.

I get that But as you can see I wasn't on the Bus Station itself I was on the road leading to it......

Also on the point of signing in Tiverton is Completely unstaffed and Impossible to sign in anywhere.

 

[MCR247]

Drivers in nottingham seem quite friendly and often on Flickr you'll see pictures of drivers waving etc

 

[83G/84D]

Can see this from both sides. I certainly don't mind being photod when I'm on the road, though I can see why some people would feel their privacy was being threatened.

After all, go into Boots and take a picture of the bird on the makeup counter and I'm sure you'll be escorted out!

Finally, do recall that whilst photography from the roadside may be completely permitted, bus stations themselves may be private places therefore permission should be asked and one may be asked to sign in.

If you go into Boot's and take photo's you are on private property whereas if you take a photograph of a bus from the roadside you are in a pubic place.

I was told off for taking pictures of buses inside Buchanan St Bust Station in Glasgow and had to stand outside the entrance

 

[bluenoxid]

After all, go into Boots and take a picture of the bird on the makeup counter and I'm sure you'll be escorted out!

She can throw a punch too.

*rubs side of face*

 

[martinsh]

There is one driver for Travel Express in Wolverhampton who is notorious for doing this, though I've never had much of a problem with him myself.

Had a driver of Bakers of Biddulph take both hands off the wheel and make a funny face at me once !

 

[Tomonthetrain]

There is one driver for Travel Express in Wolverhampton who is notorious for doing this, though I've never had much of a problem with him !

If its who i think it is, short hair, slightly (extremely) large waist, vertically challenged multicultured person, then he is a nasty piece of work who has tried to assault me, spat at me, made incorrect assumptions about my birth and more. Police would do sweet nothing, even going to accuse me of provoking him by photographing his k registered irn bru coloured bus.

Yet i have had other drivers completely the opposite and enjoying having photos taken and striking poses (Hansons bus).

 

[Temple Meads]

I only noticed this gesture had been made to us when ollieb pointed it out, but it does make me feel aggrieved nonetheless!

Anyway, apart from this incident I've not had any issues with bus drivers, on the contrary they are generally very friendly, camera happy people!

 

[trentside]

If its who i think it is, short hair, slightly (extremely) large waist, vertically challenged multicultured person, then he is a nasty piece of work who has tried to assault me, spat at me, made incorrect assumptions about my birth and more. Police would do sweet nothing, even going to accuse me of provoking him by photographing his k registered irn bru coloured bus.

He sounds like a lovely individual and a credit to his company... :roll:

It's a shame that the Police wouldn't assist you either.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

If its who i think it is, short hair, slightly (extremely) large waist, vertically challenged multicultured person, then he is a nasty piece of work who has tried to assault me, spat at me, made incorrect assumptions about my birth and more. Police would do sweet nothing, even going to accuse me of provoking him by photographing his k registered irn bru coloured bus.

Yet i have had other drivers completely the opposite and enjoying having photos taken and striking poses (Hansons bus).

That's pathetic and outrageous. Surely there has to be a way to make the police listen? (Local papers?)

 

[MCW]

I have only ever had two problems,

first one wasn't strictly a problem, the driver in question gave his two fingers to me, It was my mate and that was intended as a joke, I'd been winding him up for weeks about photos!

second one was recently, I was photographing Centrebus 931 (H231LOM) and the driver was waving me off and cursing something awful (I'm a good lip reader). So what did I do?

Take more photos!!!! He had to drive by me again going back up charles street, man he was sulking! I didn't report him, he's just a one off if it happens again and its the same bloke I will happily do it.

The issue I have, unlike many of you, is that I am a transport campaigner AND a huge bus enthusiast, I sometimes think drivers try to be awkward with me because they think I'm taking photos of the campaign and they don't want to be seen in them.

 

[90019]

second one was recently, I was photographing Centrebus 931 (H231LOM) and the driver was waving me off and cursing something awful (I'm a good lip reader). So what did I do?

Take more photos!!!! He had to drive by me again going back up charles street, man he was sulking! I didn't report him, he's just a one off if it happens again and its the same bloke I will happily do it.

Did taking more photos of him make you feel like a big man?

 

[MCW]

Did taking more photos if him make you feel like a big man?

No, I just found it funny.

 

[90019]

no I just found it funny

Someone clearly doesn't want his photo taken, and you think the best thing to do is to deliberately take more photos of him?
Do you ever wonder why some drivers don't like spotters? It's because of the people like you - you are exactly the sort that spoil it for everyone else.

 

[MCW]

Someone clearly doesn't want his photo taken, and you think the best thing to do is to deliberately take more photos of him?
Do you ever wonder why some drivers don't like spotters? It's because of the people like you - you are exactly the sort that spoil it for everyone else.

Yeah and I'm a harmless guy, it's one guy out of how many on this planet??? I'm taking photos of buses I aint doing it for the twit behind the wheel. I took a photo of a bus which is unusual within the Leicester area.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
also i think you might have misread me, when I said if he does it again I will happily do so, I mean report him and not take photos of him.

 

[90019]

Yeah and I'm a harmless guy, it's one guy out of how many on this planet??? I'm taking photos of buses I aint doing it for the twit behind the wheel. I took a photo of a bus which is unusual within the Leicester area.

So why not leave it at getting a photo of the bus?
Why did you feel the need to take more photos when the driver clearly wasn't happy about it?

I was photographing Centrebus 931 (H231LOM) and the driver was waving me off and cursing something awful (I'm a good lip reader). So what did I do?

Take more photos!!!!

Do you seriously think such a childish response is going to do anything to help the situation?

 

[MCW]

So why not leave it at getting a photo of the bus?
Why did you feel the need to take more photos when the driver clearly wasn't happy about it?



Do you seriously think such a childish response is going to do anything to help the situation?

Cause I wanted to prove I am harmless. What is his issue? i'm doing nothing wrong in the first instance. his image hasn't appeared or been plastered EVERYWHERE on the internet, so I can't see it being a problem.

also, sorry but you have no right to call me an arse. just thought I would point that out to you.

 

[starrymarkb]

Not everyone wants their picture taken, if someone declines I'd leave them be.

Having people take photos of you when you don't want them to isn't pleasant. Take a look at the old town during Whitby Goth Weekend where photographers are crowding every Goth Girl, you have people taking photos of you from across the street, pushing in front sticking cameras in your face. Believe me if you are on the receiving end of this it isn't nice!

 

[MCW]

Not everyone wants their picture taken, if someone declines I'd leave them be.

Having people take photos of you when you don't want them to isn't pleasant. Take a look at the old town during Whitby Goth Weekend where photographers are crowding every Goth Girl, you have people taking photos of you from across the street, pushing in front sticking cameras in your face. Believe me if you are on the receiving end of this it isn't nice!

which is a fair enough point and nicely worded.

One has learnt something new.