nj_heathens

I think I'd at least make a call to report his unsafe driving behavior, if not his rudeness. If this guy has a habit of taking off before his passengers are safely onboard the bus, his supervisors should know that, don't you think? Could have been the little old ladies instead of you.

If you call, you might also mention the twinge in your back that's been bothering you ever since the doors closed on you.

I'm a little sensitive to this issue because I had a run-in with a bus driver who failed to wait for me to get seated after boarding the bus whilst wearing a full arm cast. I was carrying my purse and grabbing for a pole with one hand when he took off like he'd just gotten the green flag. After getting up off the people I fell over and making sure I was uninjured, I asked the driver "what kind of fucking idiot are you?" in front of a busload of people. This was the same driver I'd seen take off without waiting for elderly riders to get seated and nearly take a dive down the aisle.

I called the bus company and gave them the bus number and the time of the route and my complaint. The bus had a different driver the next day. They may have just moved a bad driver to some other route, but he was no longer my problem.

Mrs. Heathen

Godless Dave

That's a harsh generalization. Those people spend 8+ hours a day in a bus full of strangers, and have the responsibility of driving them safely through traffic on a schedule. I have seen people yell abuse at city bus drivers and make up ridiculous stories as to why they should ride without paying. Sometimes they are assaulted and occasionally killed. They also have to contend with any drunk, drugged, mentally ill, obnoxious, or criminal passengers harassing other passengers. Their job is hard, and I've met quite a few nice ones.

The driver in your story was a dick though.

JEST2ASK

NO ... it is never better to accept S___ from somone it only encouarges them to do the same to others .... and even if your comback was lame it was definately within reason. .... Hopefully the driver had a bad day or some other reason/excuse and it was not a pattern .... Regardless He should be reported (and I like the mention of back pain as leverage to empahsize the seriousness of the compliant)

The Insomniac

That's a harsh generalization.

I know, and considered it "artistic liscence".

Sakpo

They usually make up a small minority, but there is some core percentage in any occupation that are just total assholes, and when it comes to bus drivers that small group can really shine. Then, factor in what a shitty job bus driving must be at times and the crap they have to put up with and even the decent ones must have bad days where they end up acting like jerks. To their credit, I've had some apologise to me after they acted like assholes.

cheetah

I definitely say try to report it. It could be effective and doing the "right" thing after doing something you felt was a little hotheaded, might "teach you the lesson." You know, how if kids do something wrong, the parent should make the go back and do it correctly. Well, you can just feel you did something you aren't comfortable with and do what you are comfortable with. Then, let it go. Oh, and continue to stick up for yourself, for sure!!! Just work on sticking to your goal not to curse. You can be just as effective without cursing (which I am sure you know).

Gurdur

Seems just a temper tantrum of yours to me.

LordSnooty

Care to explain that remark? I won't hold my breath.

Paul

Ronin

Well put.

Sorry, man, bad year...worse timing.

Treacle Worshipper

I don't think you should beat yourself up over swearing at him; lots of people swear when they're shocked or surprised. And he acted like an idiot - shutting bus doors on someone. What if you'd been seriously injured?

Report him, definitely. If you know the bus route & time, they will know who was driving. (If the doors are really broken, that should give them a pretty good idea too.) They will reprimand him, and you can ask for them to send you a letter saying what disciplinary measures have been taken. (This is Arriva's complaints prodeure; I assume other bus companies have similar ones.)

I know this because I had a similar situation a couple of years ago. I was last in line and the guy closed the doors on me; I jumped back off the step so I didn't get caught in them. I was absolutely livid, and got the next bus into town & went straight round to the office. The people there were really nice & concerned about it; obviously they thought they had a service to perform, even if some bus drivers don't!
TW