Regretfully I felt the need to once again report a Transperth bus driver. I have learnt to endeavour to record as much detail as possible and will now report all incidents to Transperth via their online reporting form and to the WA Police via their online reporting form.
I filed the following report on April 2, 2009.
I was heading west on Grantham Street on my bicycle just west of Crosby Street at 7:25 AM when the driver of TP1110 came up right behind me and commenced to blow his horn. This was threatening and intimating behaviour which put me at risk. The driver was delayed for no more than 35 seconds as we progressed through a narrow section due to the island. In fact within three minutes I passed the driver as they stopped for a time stopped (?) on The Boulevard. The driver then passed me again further along The Boulevard some five minutes after the initial incident.
I have received two responses. The one from the Western Australian Police Department does nothing at all to reassure me that the Western Australian Police are serious at road safety net alone cyclist safety. Their default response is as follows:
Thank you for your Traffic Complaint Report received on 02/04/09. The information you provided will be forwarded to the Western Australia Police Traffic Intelligence Services.
Your Report will be investigated and if further assistance is required you may be contacted by Police. In addition the information you provided will be used to target offenders and/or ‘hot spots’.
The response I have received from Wayne Harvey, Operations Supervisor Karrinyup Depot, Transperth is more promising. Wayne’s response follows:
I am responding to your recent complaint regarding an incident between your self and a bus from our company.
I do believe that this has happened to you before.
PATH Transit does not condone unprofessional driving at any time and accordingly I have taken appropriate steps to draw the attention of our staff to the contents of your complaint.
Right to safe passage on the roads is not restricted to any class of vehicle and consideration for all road users is an issue that we emphasise to our staff both during training and throughout their career.
Unfortunately, the combination of a relatively slow bicycle and a bus frequently stopping at bus stops can result in bus and bicycle overtaking each other several times in a short stretch of road.The driver concerned will be checked by an independent assessor. The results of that report will determine what action the company will take with regard to the driver.
As you stated in your complaint, the Police have been notified so I will wait for a call from them.
I have informed the driver that the Police have been notified and may request a meeting at some time.
In light Wayne Harvey’s response I encourage all cyclists to take the trouble to report any incidents. It may well make a difference. Transperth’s online reporting form can be found here.
Related posts:
- Open Letter to Transperth – Driver of Bus Rego – TP1350
- Road Rage against Cyclists = 15 months Jail
- Bike Education Course for Women – City of Stirling
- Road Right for Learner Drivers
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That’s a promising response from Transperth.
I reckon the key thing is keeping it polite and factual, as you did. That seems to do the trick most of the time.