Complaint to Adelaide Metro
Hello
I was riding to work this morning along Regency, and later, Muller Roads. I was disappointed by the conduct of one of your buses - the 300H, bus no. 1753.
I had two seperate incidents with this bus. First the driver, performed a left hand turn to pick up passengers while I was level with his front door, I was particularly disappointed because he sped up to do this, this was at about 8:00 on Regency Road, the driver and I had eye contact and he made no effort to disguise his obvious anger/dislike of cyclists. I was able to accelerate out of danger.
Later, on Muller Rd. the same bus was behind me when I had to ease out of the bike lane to avaid a large pool of glass. I had performed a head check, signalled and eased over well before the glass and probably rode for about 50m around 10cm to the right of the bike lane. Your driver during this time, caught up to me and felt within his right to beep me, presumabley for being out of the lane. It is my understanding that cyclists can ride outside of cycle lanes if avoiding a hazard.
This will be the second complaint I have made to Adelaide Metro about the conduct of your drivers. Considering how many busses I would cycle near during the week I actually think this is testimony to the very good general conduct of your staff. However I did not recieve any feedback from my first complaint despete asking for it. I would like to know in this instance how your driver was perfoprmance managed and what training they receive in sharing the road with cyclists.
I will be copying this complaint and posting it on the Adelaide Cyclist website and will also post your response there.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
David
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David on -
I wouldn't expect much. I've registered two complaints with the DPTI and never received any response.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on -
Wouldn't it be better to address this to the bus company running the route ? Not sure who it would be on that route, but I would imagine that DTPI are just handballing your query over to the provider.
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Permalink Reply by David B.o.R. on -
I thought of that and concluded that I'd rather AdMet cop the complaint
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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I had same problem where I was actually pushed into the gutter and had to jump the kerb, lucky kerb was low.
The witnesses that saw it just cringed and I know this cause I could see their faces as my life flashed b4 me.
I than overtook the culprit(Bus) and stopped it by way of pulling out in front and stopping.
I approached the driver who shut his window, I than went to the door and manually opened it via lever on RHS of door.
To my surprise, I got a good reception from passengers and they they were all happy to be my witness.
I called the cops and mate one hell of a show out of it.
I kept cool and also called the number the driver reluctantly gave me who they work for.
A representative came out and challenged me on many levels and said I Hi-jacked the bus and its passengers.
Cops were neutral and no help at all.
I took all the witnesses numbers and later got statements and signed affirdavids.
Still go me no-where.
Something similar happened again no long ago on King William road, I rode past and emptied 3/4 of my drink which onto the driver, got off my bike, took photos of driver, rego and Bus number and told him I will be making a formal complaint.
Never did because I now know that they get so many that it will fall on deaf ears.
A very good friend now just rides past and yells abuse at the driver and when possible knocks off their side mirror.
Childish perhaps but as he commutes everyday, its not a isolated incident and with the added pressures of drivers being fined for running late etc it will only get worse.
Someone will get killed, I can see it now and that is the reason I will not let my wife ride on the road on her own, it really is too dangerous and who would make my porridge in the morning if she was injured or worse still killed.
Bus drivers are mostly now so under qualified or for a better word educated that they are my single worst fear on the road.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on -
*chuckle* could you not learn to make your own porridge?
But I agree, bus drivers can be one of the most dangerous - in part caused by their legal right to pull out into the road at any time - I think it gives them more ownership than they should have. That, and being under pressure to keep to a schedule.
Having said that, the bus drivers I encounter along Seaview Rd at Henley Beach, and along Military Rd, have all been considerate, I've only once had an incident.
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Its a bit of german humour in there.
Professional drivers should at all times be exactly that and they should be the least feared on the road cause that is what they do.
I build high-rise apartment blocks, one would assume that by now I would know what I am doing, same goes for people issued a license to drive a Bus.
I have most licenses incl trucks etc but no Bus license but can't see it being Brain surgery like tough and at the end of the day, they should be proud of what they are doing, shuffling people to and from in a save manner. Pretty cool really.
Don't like it! Than get a job in the mines emptying bins or painting truck wheels.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Turner on -
Nice one Frank but you were lucky they didnt call out the AFP anti-terrorist squad.
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Drivers have protocol to follow, apparently they call head-office and they than call police.
I called the cops already anyhow.
I truly believe we are the enemy and thats what they discuss in their lunch hours and shift change.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
" I will not let my wife ride on the road on her own," WOW
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Yep, thats right!
She is ultra fit(former sports female body builder) and would whip many peoples arse but I riding on her own, in her own words is that she does not feel safe and I concur.
Its not and we know it but take that chance. I am also glad she is happy doing her spin classes and what not.
Hope this does not spark a sexist debate but that is how it is.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on -
Frank it can be hell out there between the lines...sometimes you have to ride outt of the box :)
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
If you could have mentioned the approximate time it would be helpful bus drivers are shift workers so it may not be possible to narrow down the individual from you letter.
Was this at 6 am in the dark or 10 am?
Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to ask if they think using one of their buses to harass other road users is appropriate?
Is this the public image that they wish to portray?
Are they going to do anything to prevent this sort of behaviour in future?
Do they have cameras on their buses that can confirm your version of events?
How this driver is performance managed may be a process of several months and may be a separate section and so they may not be able to answer.
There may even be privacy issues about naming and shaming certain individuals.
After all how many cyclists may go and harass him?
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