Schoolgirl refused journey by bus driver

Published Thursday, 20 September 2012
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A Belfast schoolgirl was left crying at the side of a city centre street, after being refused on a bus by the driver because she had lost her day ticket and couldn’t pay for another.

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A woman travelling on the bus was shocked that the driver didn't follow procedures put in place for such scenarios, which are supposed to ensure that no child is left stranded.

"I jumped off, told her I'd pay for her ticket and got into a heated dispute with the driver," Michelle McGahan explained, in a post on Facebook which has attracted attention to the episode.

"I asked him if he knew the meaning of social responsibility, leaving a child vulnerable."

Michelle, who claims the driver then drove away as she was still trying to get off the bus, has lodged an official complaint with Translink.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed that the incident was being investigated.

"All passengers, including pupils, are expected to produce the correct cash fare, a valid ticket or relevant pass, for each journey undertaken," a statement said.

"However, Translink's policy regarding pupils who find themselves not able to produce any of above is not to leave the pupil behind.

"The driver should take the child's school's contact details and ask them to ensure to produce their pass on the next occasion."

The young girl in question responded on Facebook to again thank her "life saver" Michelle.

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65 Comments
Denis Allen in belfast wrote (264 days ago):
Remark by Paul has left me scratching my head, his daughter pays bus on school journeys but has bus pass for free travel at all other times, please tell me how one obtains this magic pass, my daughter aged 16 is required to pay adult fare on all journeys she makes by all public transport.
Paul fox in Belfast wrote (266 days ago):
Translink are a great bunch of drivers the best I Have seen I a long time. I know someone in the Job and I was told this is far from the truth . Utv ask can you view the CCTV . Y do people Bend the truth.
Paul in Belfast wrote (268 days ago):
I am a translink driver and I am also the parent of a teenager who has to get the bus to and from school, she has a free pass to let her use the bus out of school hours but she must pay for her journey to and from school. I make sure every night that my child has the bus fare to pay for her journeys to and from school, that is my responsibility. I am not saying that the driver was right in what he done but it is up to the parents to ensure that the children make the journey to and from school.
Don in Belfast wrote (269 days ago):
Linda do u think the girl was doing it to save money? to save the £2 and get a wee alchopop on the sly? its £2 .... or was it even that amount? i got a drunk guy a taxi home one night (i didnt know him but he was lost in my neighborhood ) and it cost me £5.......... it wasnt a kidney I donated... so many people are material-led in this day and age..and gurn over a few £££ which means nothing..ya wud probably spend £10 on a kebab and delivery and not think twice about it.. wise up.
Danso in N,Belfast wrote (269 days ago):
@linda in belfast,if the girl didn't have the right uniform on would she have really cared, what a truly bigoted comment. Please grow up...
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