Incidents with FirstYork... x2

So today I've had two different problems with two different Firstbus drivers with the same problem. Dangerously close passes. I've written a letter of complaint (blotting out names amd respective reg numbers ofc) and wondered how I've done as regards to wording and syntax?

So... thoughts?

Nothing wrong with the letter, factual and to the point. I wouldn't hold your breath for any serious action from FirstBus though.

In your first video where the bus pull out in front of you from the bus stop. It wasn't the best manouvre by the driver, however I would have been happy to back off and let him go. That's not to excuse him pulling out on you. I would prefer to have him in front rather than trying to overtake me again. I tend to take the same attitude when I see lorries waiting to pull out round the lanes I cycle. I let them go rather than have them trying to get passed me on winding lanes.

As I said, I wasn't too bothered that he pulled out in front, and tbh I prefer that to him being behind. The problem lies in that he couldn't see his mirrors to pull out with.

The letter seems fine. Whether or not she believed that you had to stay in a cycle lane (which is an issue in itself for someone who holds a PSV license), overtaking too close because you are not in the lane as a punishment is even worse than doing it by accident. I'm not sure if overtaking you at that point is in itself an offence, as you may have been doing less than 10mph, but passing too close is.

It might be worth finding where the emergency engine cut-off button is on the buses though for future incidents (the P&R bus has one just above the indicator on the back left hand corner)

You cycle in the gutter. Move out man.

might be worth mentioning to the bus company
Section 59 of the Police Reform Act – Anti Social Driving Offences
New laws in respect of certain anti social driving offences can now be dealt with by Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.
Basically what that means is if you are seen:

• Driving in a careless or inconsiderate manner
• Driving on common land, a footpath or bridle way or any land which is not part of a road
• Driving in a manner which is causing/has been causing, or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.

I'd put them more on the back foot. Get them to explain why their bus drivers don't know the laws of the road (I'd omit the highway code reference personally). Can you contact the council too.

Very poor pieces of driving.

Very balanced letter and fully justified.
I have had 4 replies from customer services at Arriva regarding their drivers por behaviour.
I always point out that if the drivers showed consideration and adhered to a little of the highway code I. Use of bus lanes, then we'd be a lot safer.
The ast letter said that the driver would be monitored using mystery passengers ( like mystery shoppers) and any repeat would result in a final warning if not dismissal!!!

Another point is that all the buses have two cameras constantly recording, one f which is on the drivers rhs pointing to the pay desk and thankfully out of the door showing speed and proximity to whatever it passes.
Very handy to know that.
Tony

You have a conversation - at least, I think you do.

Coupla points
- First buses have video cameras too
- Honest? The way the FTR pulled out on you wouldn't have bothered me - I'd probably have slowed to let him out, given that they must be such pigs to drive. But the pass through the traffic lights - WOW! Far too close, and definitely the wrong place. [But then I'm well used to the FTR drivers in Leeds - they'd have hung back and "cover my arse" through the junction; I've nothing but praise for them.]

Thanks all for the positive feedback, I just wanted to make sure I approached it correctly. To save pagespace I've cut the bits of quotes that say roughly the same thing

I was going faster than 10mph This hill is sort of in a dip, it's not on the video, but I'd just come off a relatively steep hill before the vid started

Na, they've got cameras on the nearside and offside of the bus (as well as interior), both pointing forward and backwards. I'd get caught There's also the fact that they use an automatic gearbox, so by shutting the engine down it'd be like an emergency braking manoeuvre, meaning passengers would lose their teeth.

I'm a wee bit conservative on my road placement, but I've plenty of room to escape should anything come from either side

As much as I appreciate the input, I've worked in PSV and management are a funny bunch, rather than antagonise them from the outset and make things awkward, I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves in their reply. And I'll be contacting the council, police and VOSA about both incidents if they don't give me a satisfactory answer, don't worry about that

If they disagree I'll be sure to pass that (and rules 163 and 212) on. Most of the people in management hold a PSV license so I wouldn't want to dumb it down for them this early in a complaints process.

Replied to your convo Usually I don't have a problem with ftr drivers, apart from on a personal level when I used to work for a rival company. As I mentioned in post #3 it wasn't so much being pulled out on, it was that the driver positioned himself in such a way, that he couldn't see past the rear end of his bus, and therefore couldn't possibly pull out safely.

Agree with the points re the pull out but other than that horrible driving, good luck with the complaint.

I recently had to write to First (leeds) about an incident, standard response back not sure what else to expect. First Leeds (for me) always seem to be at their worst on Woodhouse Lane - uphill and narrow bus lane means they often get stuck behind cyclists. I do try to let them go first if I can but sometimes they get impatient and close passes/pull in's occur.

So I've had three replies. It turns out they didn't use my videos, as they can't get Youtube on the office computers, but they're disciplining both drivers. The letters are below:

I replied with the details they asked for, and relinked the videos, asking why they hadn't clicked the links

And shortly after

In my opinion, very well handled on their part. I have, however sent an email requesting a written apology from the female driver on account of her attitude, purely because that's nothing to do with Firstbus and I wouldn't accept an apology from them on her behalf. All in all, very well handled in my opinion, so a thankyou to First.

The 3rd response is almost to the letter exactly what I got - I had no video but I did give time, route, location etc (I even worked out what time the bus would have left the station). I got mine in a letter though rather than email so perhaps First Leeds computers are even worse than First York.

One thing " First is committed to the safety of its customers and other road users. We are reassessing the standards of our drivers through a programme of advanced defensive driving called the Smith's system and we are confident the safety of our services will only increase as we progress with this training." thing I think she means they are actually using this company called 'Smith System' to train their drivers rather than 'the' Smith System. http://www.smith-system.com/about/our_company/

I might contact First Leeds again to see if they have plans to do the same.

Good luck with getting a personal apology from her, I'd be tempted to send her a pair of glasses though

Turns out they can't ask her to issue an apology, because the union would be up in arms. I'm still happy with their part in the process though

Definately send the glasses, and maybe some soap to wash her mouth out with

First one,meh, second one, she was unbelievably rude and sarcastic and patronising, it seems clear to me she did those passes on purpose, there was no reason not to pull out a bit both times.

Whenever I have had a problem with the local bus drivers I have complained via their online contact form as soon as possible. This gives them the chance to look at the on board camera footage and so far my footage has not been required.

The Smith System has been used in Leeds for 2 and a half years now wiggydiggy.If you ever get on a First bus in Leeds (or anywhere in the country for that matter) look for 3 little lights on the top right of the drivers dashboard.If the light is green it means the driver is driving "green" and in the view of the Smith system driving safely.
If the light is red get off and wait for the next bus

I've also had good responses from Arriva in the north east - ditto on the mystery passengers - although the incidents I've reported weren't cycling related.

I have informed Arriva when I've seen a driver giving loads of space to cyclists and they were grateful for comments and said they'd pass them on to the driver.

Are these responses legitimate or just hot air? It seems a big leap to start to put an employee through the disciplinary procedure from an incident.