North Brisbane Parents fume as bus drivers regularly pass by teenagers

Brisbane parents have unleashed on bus drivers who refuse to pick teenage passengers up at public bus stops, demanding the unsafe practice stop.

North Brisbane parents furious as bus drivers increasingly drive past teenagers

A Brisbane mother is demanding action after her teenage son was ignored by bus drivers who just drove past him waiting at designated stops on several occasions.

Following an increase of violence from school students towards bus drivers, Larni Ryan, a Redcliffe mother, said her 13-year-old son had been driven past frequently by TransLink bus services for “no reason”.

“It has happened multiple times during the last few weeks and twice in one week at the Victoria Ave and Clifford Street bus stop at Woody Point,” Ms Ryan said.

“It happens so frequently that the only thing I can put it down to is bus drivers making assumptions.

“He’s been left behind on his own and with friends of a similar age, they feel pigeonholed,” she said.

North Brisbane parents furious as bus drivers increasingly drive past teenagers

Ms Ryan said this treatment of her son causes major inconveniences for the family.

“He ends up walking home or I have to leave work to collect him and when he’s not arrived on time that results in a slight panic in trying to locate him,” Ms Ryan said.

“It creates an anxiety that can be completely avoided.

“It’s always TransLink, he never has any issues with school buses when in uniform that he catches daily,” she said.

Another frustrated north Brisbane mother shared similar concerns to social media that attracted more than 400 comments.

“Why do drivers constantly leave teenagers at bus stops?” a mother asked.

“Over the past week we’ve had four buses drive straight past my teenage son while he waited outside the shopping centre.

“He waves them down and is ignored, resulting in more than a one hour walk home,” she said.

A former TransLink bus driver, who wished to remain anonymous, posted to Facebook that during his career some teenagers behaved like “feral animals” while on the bus.

“Drivers have no power to prevent this behaviour, these kids were rude, abusive, aggressive not only to the driver but other passengers as well,” the former driver said.

“If kids are repeat offenders, the parents should have to take the burden and bear the responsibility of transporting their socially inept children, PTSD in public transport workers is a real thing,” he said.

A TransLink spokesman said they were committed to ensuring the safety of all passengers travelling on the public transport network.

“Bus drivers are employed by bus service delivery partners, and TransLink expects bus drivers operating across its network to carry children to ensure their safety,” a spokesman said.

“TransLink is unaware of this particular incident, however we encourage customers who have concerns with service delivery to contact us on 13 12 30 or fill out our online feedback form. If the concern specifically involves children, please call 13 12 30.

“When incidents occur and are reported to TransLink, a thorough investigation is conducted in partnership with the relevant delivery partner,” he said.

Ms Ryan said this experience had left her son feeling excluded, judged and angry.

“He thinks all teenagers are perceived as bad and his confidence has been impacted when relying on buses,” Ms Ryan said.

“I’d like TransLink to reinforce the expected behaviour of their bus drivers to not leave children behind, teenagers are still children.

“Fare Evasion, if that’s the reason for excluding them, is a bill picked up by the general public and not the bus driver’s wage.

“Do the right thing,” she said.