A young student is hesitant to use the bus service to go home after an incident where a bus driver allegedly scolded her following a collision with a parked van, as per her mother.
The incident occurred on January 9 when an Arriva bus hit a van at a bus stop near Lord Derby Academy in Huyton, Merseyside. The driver reportedly pointed fingers at 12-year-old Lyssa Storey, who had signaled for the bus to stop after finishing classes.
Lyssa’s mother, Kirsty Holland, expressed concern that her daughter, a year eight student at the school, now fears taking the bus home. She mentioned that Lyssa now avoids the usual route, taking a longer path that adds extra time to her commute, which worries her as a parent wanting her daughter’s safe return.
The incident unfolded when Lyssa, having finished classes early, tried to catch the 2.55pm number nine bus to Liverpool from a nearby bus stop on Seel Road, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Ms. Holland explained that due to vehicles parked at the bus stop, Lyssa had to step onto the road to signal the bus to stop upon its late arrival around 3.10pm. Subsequently, the bus collided with a van parked in the stop. The bus driver allegedly blamed Lyssa for the crash, leading to distress and fear for the young student.
Ms. Holland criticized the bus driver’s behavior, stating that his actions had deeply affected her daughter, making her anxious and hesitant about attending school. She emphasized that the blame placed on her daughter by the adult driver was unjustifiable, as all Lyssa did was signal for the bus.
In response to the incident, a representative from Arriva Merseyside assured that they prioritize customer safety and well-being. They acknowledged the situation on the number 9 service and the concerns raised by the family, mentioning that the driver involved will attend a meeting, and a thorough investigation is being conducted to address all aspects of the incident.
