Bus Drivers Skipping Stops: Legal Consequences and What You Can Do

Have you ever found yourself standing at a bus stop as a bus whizzes past, leaving you waiting in vain? Or worse, have you witnessed a bus driver continuing on their route without stopping for a passenger?

Understanding the Legal Perspective

When a bus driver skips a stop without stopping for waiting passengers, there are often no legal consequences unless specific circumstances are met. Bus drivers are trained to follow strict schedules and routes, adhering to stopsigns and abruptly halting could result in accidents. While it is not uncommon for drivers to bypass certain stops, there are reasons for this behavior that do not constitute legal violations.

Reasons for Skipping Stops

Bus is full: If there are no passengers that want to disembark, the bus driver may skip a stop as it is not advisable to ask standing passengers to get off on a tightly packed bus. Emergency or administrative duties: The bus crew might be part of an emergency or have to attend to administrative duties such as reporting to a manager. Late service: Buses operate on tight schedules, and passing an unnecessary stop can help maintain or return on schedule. Inadvertent passing: The driver might not have seen the passenger or might have misread signals.

Where You Stand as a Passenger

If a bus driver does not stop for you, your next course of action should be to file a complaint with the relevant transit authority or the bus company. Having the date, time, and bus number can be highly beneficial in providing evidence and possibly securing a reason for the skip.

What Transit Authorities Do

Transit authorities generally handle passenger complaints about bus services. However, if you are not satisfied with the response, especially if it happens frequently, escalating the issue to a higher authority such as the local transportation department might be necessary.

Legal Consequences and Liability

While a passenger who feels wronged might seek legal action, the legal consequences for bus drivers typically do not extend to consequences of civil or criminal law unless there is specific negligence or safety violations involved.

Examples of Negligence or Violations

Intentional or negligent failure to stop: If there was clear intent to bypass a stop or a breach in safety protocols, legal action might be feasible. Harassment or assault: In cases of harassment, assault, or severe negligence that causes injury, the driver and/or the company can face legal repercussions. Widespread issues: If multiple passengers report similar issues, the transit company might face regulatory scrutiny and potential penalties.

What Can You Do?

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure consistent and proper service:

Report the incident to the bus company via phone or online complaint form.

File a report with the local transit authority or transportation department.

Contact customer service directly to ask about specific policies and procedures for handling complaints.

Stay informed: Read up on your local transit authority’s policies and procedures to better understand your rights as a passenger.

Conclusion

In the vast majority of cases, a bus driver passing by a waiting passenger is not a legal issue but rather a scheduling inconvenience. However, if your experience persists and you believe it is due to negligence or harassment, it is important to take steps to address the issue. By documenting incidents and reporting them to the appropriate authorities, you can help ensure that services improve and that your rights as a passenger are respected.