Redcliffe parents are outraged as bus drivers from TransLink are reportedly bypassing teenage passengers at designated bus stops, leaving them stranded.
Larni Ryan, a mother from Redcliffe, has spoken out about her 13-year-old son being left behind by bus drivers on multiple occasions at designated stops. She highlighted a particular instance at the Victoria Ave and Clifford Street bus stop in Woody Point, where her son and his friends were repeatedly ignored by passing buses.
Ms Ryan expressed frustration over the repeated incidents, attributing them to bus drivers making unfounded assumptions about young passengers.
Ms Ryan mentioned that this recurring issue has caused significant inconvenience for her family, as her son often has to walk home, or she has to leave work to pick him up. She emphasised the anxiety and worry that arise when her son doesn’t arrive home on time, which could be avoided entirely if the buses stopped as expected.
Another concerned mother from North Brisbane took to a private social media group to share a similar experience, which quickly gained traction with over 400 comments. She described how her teenage son had been passed by four different buses in a week whilst waiting outside a shopping centre. The mother explained that despite her son waving the buses down, they continued to drive past, resulting in a lengthy walk home for him.
Former Bus Driver’s Perspective
A former TransLink bus driver added to the conversation on Facebook, explaining that some bus drivers might be hesitant to pick up teenagers due to past experiences with unruly behavior.
The ex-driver described incidents where teenagers were rude, abusive, and aggressive towards both drivers and other passengers. He suggested that drivers, feeling powerless to manage such behavior, might avoid picking up teenagers altogether.
The former driver also highlighted the stress and potential PTSD that public transport workers could experience due to these situations.
TransLink’s Response
In response to the complaints, a TransLink spokesperson stated that the organisation is committed to ensuring the safety of all passengers. They clarified that service delivery partners employ bus drivers, and that they are expected to transport children safely.
TransLink was unaware of the specific incidents mentioned but encouraged affected customers to report any concerns about service delivery through their hotline or online feedback form. The spokesperson assured that any reported incidents involving children would be thoroughly investigated.
Published 30-Aug-2024