How to make a complaint about a bus driver?

Hi all,

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but how do I go about making a complaint about a bus driver?

I was on my way home from Elephant to Camberwell, the traffic was pretty bad today hence I had to do quite a bit of filtering, but was doing so with bearing safety in mind. So here is what happened, there was 2 buses in front of me at the red light, so I thought it'd be safe to go to the front, I can't remember if there was a cycle box or not, but anyway, I was going to the front and trying to get to the left, when the green light came on, one of the bus drivers decided to use his honk to get my attention, and then he started shouting at me, obviously I hadn't a clue what he was saying as I was on his left and quite far away from him. Now the reason for my complaint is because he attempted to push me onto the pavement twice, stop in the middle of the traffic so he can shout at me more, and also he got too carried away shouting at me to the point both his hand were up in the air and all his attention was on me who happened to be on his far left. That wasn't very safe driving, was it? I have taken the plate number and the route number, time and place etc etc. All I need is where to write the complaint to? On the tfl website it says a complaint should be made to the bus company first, but I know people have made complaints to tfl, hence I am a little confused.

By the way it was a bus 100 going from Shadwell to Elephant and Castle, so I really don't know why he was going towards Camberwell, maybe to the garage in Camberwell or something.

While I admit I might not have been cycling the safest possible at this particular time and I did stick my middle finger up in response to his abuse. I think it's time I stop shouting and learn to deal with this in a proper manner, which is to get the attention of his boss.

Ta everyone.

You were in the wrong.
Do not ride up the inside of vehicles unless they are turning right, especially buses and lorries.

the op didn't say which side of the bus they passed it, but hinted that it was on the right, not left, in saying they tried to get over to the left when in front.

there was 2 buses in front of me at the red light, so I thought it'd be safe to go to the front, I can't remember if there was a cycle box or not, but anyway,

didn't bother reading any further as it's obvious you don't really know how to ride safely in traffic.

the op didn't say which side of the bus they passed it, but hinted that it was on the right, not left, in saying they tried to get over to the left when in front.
No no no.
No.

I think we need a diagram from the OP

perhaps you're right rpm.

whatever if the op is right or not

I will like to know how to complain of a bus driver, please

yeah, sounds like the driver overreacted and threatened the cyclist. Not ok.

I was going to ignore this thread because you could have just googled tfl complaints but then everyone decided to jump to conclusions and didn't help you at all. So I've even googled it for you because I think attitudes like that are exactly why i stopped using this forum.

https://custserv.tfl.gov.uk/icss_csip/ZCreateRequestChangeRelatesTo.do?newTab=CA_12311

Obviously you weren't a passenger so you have to describe that in your statement. Also be very particular in details such as the time of the incident and and exact account of what happened, specifically the drivers aggression.

I've made a few complaints through this channel before and got a response every time telling me that the driver had been reprimanded. Incredibly I even got the drivers name on one occasion.

Whilst I'm almost certain that nothing really happens the guy who gets these e-mails will have to log the complaint and if enough people complain about drivers acting like this then maybe they will start to pay attention... Maybe.

Also failing that I have contacted the bus companies directly before to a similar effect. Takes me five minutes and makes me feel %50 about having not smashed the buses windows :)

Like I said, I probably wasn't cycling as safe as I should have been, but it was a situation where I think everyone was in the wrong. The buses were stopping at the red light, there was no room on the left for me so I thought it was only safety go to the front and get back to the left when the buses weren't moving.

Anyway, the reason for th complaint is mainly because of the driver attempting to push me onto the pavement twice. Regardless I was in the right or wrong, surely he shouldn't have tried to push someone onto th pavement?

The driver tried to run him off the road FFS! Filtering technique is a moot point.

Like I said, I probably wasn't cycling as safe as I should have been, but it was a situation where I think everyone was in the wrong. The buses were stopping at the red light, there was no room on the left for me so I thought it was only safety go to the front and get back to the left when the buses weren't moving.

Anyway, the reason for th complaint is mainly because of the driver attempting to push me onto the pavement twice. Regardless I was in the right or wrong, surely he shouldn't have tried to push someone onto th pavement?

Describe accurately the driver trying to 'run you off the road' don't exaggerate the incident but try to be cold and objective about what actually happened. Off you go...

Extra: Do you mean manually, or 'push' you with the bus?

diagram diagram diagram!!

Your welcome.

I was going to ignore this thread because you could have just googled tfl complaints but then everyone decided to jump to conclusions and didn't help you at all. So I've even googled it for you because I think attitudes like that are exactly why i stopped using this forum.

)

Exactly.

OP; contact the bus company and TfL, make your letter calm and factual, ask them to save the CCTV.

She doesn't really need to explain it to any of us, she's simply asking for the complaints procedure.
She clearly felt the driver behaved aggressively and made her feel unsafe because of his actions.
Whether she made the right or wrong decisions to go to the front or move to the left of the bus doesn't excuse the drivers verbal abuse or aggressive driving.

Are we now suggesting that if you make a wrong decision or position yourself badly on the road that it's ok for other vehicles to behave in a dangerous and overly aggressive manner towards us?
Everybody makes mistakes out there from time to time.

Whether she made the right or wrong decisions to go to the front or move to the left of the bus doesn't excuse the drivers verbal abuse or aggressive driving.

Absolutely. I agree.

Sorry to hear that lady. Even the best of cyclists sometimes make the wrong decision (as does other traffic), still doesn't excuse the driver's behaviour. I'm trying to imagine your position and wonder what other people would have done in the situation? Anyway, hope you get some kind of result!

If you make a complaint, nothing will happen

^ completely untrue. If the OP had searched the forum (s)he would have turned up plenty of evidence to the opposite.

If you make a complaint, nothing will happen

If everyone around you is deaf does your voice become worthless?

If you do nothing, you achieve nothing!

Oooooops... My phone keeps posting the same reply... Must get back on my computer in a bit.