Two things happened today

[arwensun1965 0]

While on the bus going to my daughters college to Farnham which is in Surrey England, the bus suddenly stops behind another bus, apparently the bus in front was going to fast and hit the bus stop. People were standing at the bus stop and clearly were in shock. The attendant from the bus company put people from the incident onto our bus. I sat there all quite when I shuddenly heard crying coming from the back of the bus, I was speaking to a gentleman who was explaining to me what had exactly happened. He also said that the Woman bus driver had blamed the incident on an asian lady who had her young son with her ( this was the lady that was crying) I went to the back of the bus and gently spoke with the lady, she had tears running down her cheeks, the young lad looked scared out of his wits. We spoke about the incident, she told me that the bus driver was very rude to her, she explained that she put her hand out to stop the bus (which is the correct procedure in England) she and the rest of the people at the bus stop had to move pretty rapidly to get out of the way of the speeding bus. I said to her that no matter what she was NOT to blame for the incident the bloody bus driver was because she should not of been speeding. The poor lass was in total shock, I also advised her to seek help at the local CAB (citizens advice place) I also said that she needed to write everything down as soon as possible so that she would not forget what was said. This so called bus driver told her that people like her (meaning minorities) had no right getting on the bloody bus, oh this made my blood boil , I gently told the crying lady that not all white people were like that and to please seek professional advice, the lady got off in Farnham and I asked another lady to escort her to the CAB office which was next to the bus stop. I would like to write to the bus company explaining what the lady said to me but am not sure how to do this?

Next ......got to college to sort out problems my daughter has been having with bullies. I must of been thinking today because I was all calm and in a nice voice asked to speak to the principle, I was there for another appointment with the careers advisor. I was told to speak to the careers advisor first and then to come back to reception afterward. Off I went like the good little citizen that I am and had my chat with him, after that I did go back to the reception and spoke with the receptionist again about the problems my daughter has been having at the college. I was told to take a seat. Well a change of attitude happened with the teacher that eventually came and spoke to me. This particular teacher I had spoken to on the phone on Tuesday and she did not have one good word to say about Alarna, it was a totally negative conversation, which was the opposite of what Alarna's class teacher had said to me on Parents evening. When I was sitting waiting the receptionist was on the phone talking, Alarna noticed but I did not. When we went into her office the teacher was totally nice, which believe me was a total change to what had happened earlier. I did tell the receptionist that if nothing was done then there would be other avenues that I would take to resolve the matter to my satisfaction, I think this was the kick up the bum that the college needed. Well things have turned out good

[MaryandMian 1]

What an interesting day you had Janice! I had some issues with the DMV and wrote all the way up the chain of command and even got a phone call from the second in command over the DMV for the state. It had to do with the predjudice procedures of the immigrants here at the DMV. It is worth a try to send a letter to the customer service department as a concerned patron if you wish for someone to hear your voice.

As far as the bullying we are dealing with that here and it is so frustrating. I can only hope that your daughter will not have any more problems.

Mary

[Mags 112]

I'm not surprised about the bus driver. I live in the London/Surrey borders and the way some of these bus drivers drive is appalling. I've lost count of the times an old lady has fallen over because the bus has shot away from the bus stop before she is sitting down.

My local bus service is one of the worst. Was owned by Connex. They went bust. Funny that.

If you want to complain or simply just explain what has happened you first need to find out who runs that particular bus route. Then look them up online. Most bus companies have a web site where they list contact addresses etc. Then, if I was you, I'd right directly to the managing director of that company. Don't write to an underling, the letter would probably get forgotten or brushed under the table. Or, even worse, ignored.

I'd also write in the letter that, considering the seriousness of the allegations that this lady told you, you are considering going to the local papers.

That should light the fire under their bottoms....

[arwensun1965 0]

The operator of the bus service is Stagecoach and unfortunately I know who the managing director is

[Mags 112]

The operator of the bus service is Stagecoach and unfortunately I know who the managing director is

Personally? Well enough so that you couldn't write to him directly?

Edited November 25, 2006 by mags

[KarenCee 3]

What an interesting day you had Janice! I had some issues with the DMV and wrote all the way up the chain of command and even got a phone call from the second in command over the DMV for the state. It had to do with the predjudice procedures of the immigrants here at the DMV. It is worth a try to send a letter to the customer service department as a concerned patron if you wish for someone to hear your voice.

As far as the bullying we are dealing with that here and it is so frustrating. I can only hope that your daughter will not have any more problems.

Mary

We had a rough time at the DMV when Joel went to get his license. The guy was obviously anti-immigrant. The minute he found out that Joel wasn't a citizen his facial features changed and his attitude went downhill. But it wasn't just us. Two places behind us was a young girl here from Germany. He treated her the same way. He also was horrible to a man who was here from one of the islands in the Carribean (his accent sounded that way at least). We had everything he needed to get his license, and this guy wanted to play hardball. We wound up being there 6 hours for a process that took all of an hour total.

We thought about sending a letter too, but we were just so darn grateful to be done with them! Still might do that too, 'cause we have to go back when he gets his unconditional GC and go through this ####### again. *sighs*

Edited November 25, 2006 by KarenCee