Fights, abuse and drugs: bus veteran doubts new fines plan
BBCAfter 41 years driving buses, Pete Gibson says he has seen just about everything. Fights, drug use, abuse and even having a knife pulled on him are among the incidents he recalls from more than four decades behind the wheel.
So when the government announced plans to fine passengers up to £100 for antisocial behaviour on buses in England, the veteran driver was sceptical.
The measures are aimed at tackling loud music, littering, vaping and threatening behaviour on public transport, but Gibson doubts they will make much difference without meaningful enforcement.
"It's something that cannot be policed," he said.
Describing the proposals as "a nothing law", he added: "It's an annoyance when you're driving round and for other passengers but how are you going to get someone there when you need them there?
"It's just an unnecessary rule that is going to be broken every single day with nobody to back it up."
Gibson said one of the biggest challenges facing drivers was often feeling isolated when faced with difficult situations.
"You're just left to it on your own and it's you against a bus full of people," he said.
The driver, whose career has taken him around the country, said some of the most serious incidents he had experienced went far beyond passengers playing music from phones or speakers.
"I see it all the time - fighting on the buses, people falling out, people refusing to move for wheelchairs and buggies," he said.
Reflecting on some of the situations he has encountered, he added: "No matter how big you think you are or how good you are, you're always vulnerable."
The government said the new measures were intended to improve journeys for passengers and that bus drivers would not be responsible for enforcement, which would instead be carried out by authorised officers and police.
Gibson, however, questioned whether police forces would be able to respond to many incidents.
One of the regulars that he picked up on his route in the day is Kathy Williams, on her way back home from shopping in Stoke-on-Trent.
She said the threat of a fine could make some people think twice about behaving badly.
"I think it's a good thing," she said.
"I haven't noticed it as much on the buses but on the trains it's bad.
"Just that the prime minister has brought it up, it might be enough to deter people from that sort of behaviour."
In response to concerns about enforcement, Staffordshire Police's lead for antisocial behaviour, Supt David Barrow, said the force welcomed the government's measures and recognised the impact such behaviour could have on passengers.
He said officers would use an "engage, explain and enforce" approach and would continue working with transport operators and local authorities.
"Where incidents involve crime, threats or a risk to safety, we will continue to respond appropriately and target recurring problems using information reported by passengers, drivers and operators," he said.
For Gibson, despite the challenges, there are still reasons he has stayed in the job for more than four decades. These days, his routes mainly take him around north Staffordshire.
"You're out and about, you meet people and it's not being stuck in one place all the time," he said.
"We tend to do the same runs, so we see the same people, we get to know them and they get to know us. We are not just the faceless guy behind the wheel."
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