Thou shalt not (bus) pass
BY JAMES MONCUR j.moncur@dailyrecord.co.uk THIS is the astonishing moment a plucky pensioner staged a protest in front of a double-decker bus after the driver refused to allow him on.
Bus company bosses have now launched an investigation into the incident, which happened in Dundee city centre on Saturday night.
The well-dressed man, who told witnesses he was 77, was caught on camera blocking the bus in the Seagate.
Onlookers said the stand-off was like a “hostage negotiation” as the OAP thrust his bus pass against the driver’s windscreen.
The incident delayed the No20 service to Kirriemuir – that had passengers on board – for several minutes.
A witness said: “The guy was telling a taxi driver in front he was 77 years old and just wanted to board the bus.
“He just said the driver wasn’t letting him on as he wasn’t at the right stop.
“He basically took the bus hostage. There were other passengers on the service though I wasn’t sure how many.
“The old guy was quite smartly dressed but he was distressed he couldn’t get on the service.
“He did say he was just wanting to get back to Forfar and reiterated that he wasn’t being allowed on.”
A spokesman for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “It is important for us to operate safely and adhere to the registered stopping arrangements, which means it’s not always possible to stop the journey at random points.
“We are currently investigating the full circumstances of this incident.”