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Driver ordered cancer sufferer off the bus

Nick Towle
1/11/2007

PASSENGERS have complained about a bus driver’s treatment of an elderly cancer sufferer.

Sylvia Ashton was ordered off the number 22 bus when she realised she could not use her pensioner’s pass and did not have the full fare.

First Bus has since apologised to the 78-year-old who was on a day out as part of her recovery programme.

Mrs Ashton, who lives on Bosley Avenue, Withington, had got on the bus at the junction of Mauldeth Road and Princess Road in Withington, just after 9am on Tuesday, October 30.

She flashed her pass at the driver who reprimanded her in front of other passenger for attempting to use it before 9.30am after which time pensioners are entitled to free travel.

When the driver ordered her off the bus, other passengers offered to lend her the fare.

An argument then ensued between Mrs Milner’s daughter and the driver and the police were called to the scene.

All the passengers left the bus and six women stayed behind to sign witness statements for Sylvia objecting to the way she had been treated.

The grandmother-of-nine, who wears a headscarf because she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment, said: "All I did was show her my pass.

"I said I didn’t know about the rule but the driver said she wasn't moving until we got off the bus.

"I had been really looking forward to my day out but it turned into a nightmare."

Teaching assistant Tracey Pook witnessed the incident. She said: "The way that bus driver spoke to that woman was appalling. It was very apparent that her mother had cancer as she wore a headscarf."

Ms Pook, who works at Ladybarn Primary School, added: "It was despicable."

Bob Mason, service delivery director of First’s bus operations in Greater Manchester, issued an immediate apology to Mrs Ashton.

He said: "Our driver was correct in requiring a reduced fare as the concessionary free travel pass that was presented is only valid for travel after 9.30 am.

"However, the manner in which the fare request was made, and subsequent events, is now the subject of an internal investigation.

"I will also be arranging for one of our team to visit Mrs Ashton at home."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The incident was a dispute between the bus driver and a passenger and we didn’t take the matter any further."