I WAS a bit shocked to read of the bus passengers left stranded at Breightmet last Friday afternoon, after a brick had been thrown at the bus.

I was a bus driver back in the 1980s (before privatisation) in the East End of London and we had a rule book. A driver’s first consideration was always safety and comfort of passengers. I don’t remember the exact wording but, in the event of any kind of breakdown or incident it was the duty of the driver to stay with the passengers and transfer them all safely on to a following vehicle, providing that driver with a transfer ticket to cover the passengers should a ticket inspector get on.

The idea that a driver would just leave 15 people in a neighbourhood where there was, presumably, a gang of yobs throwing bricks, would be unthinkable.

Whilst on the subject of bus rules, here’s a couple more I remember, which seem to have gone by the wayside since privatisation, but were standard practice. Always put the airbrake on at traffic lights or at pedestrian crossings. Check the bus at the terminus for lost property, also pick up any litter or cans and dispose of them.

I’m sure there’s lots more — is there still a standard rule book to work to, or do all these private companies just make it up as they go along?

Dave Carter
Campbell Street
Farnworth