Below is a copy of the complaint I sent to Connex this morning after yesterday afternoon's trip home.
I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts.
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This complaint refers to the 4.26pm train to Werribee from Flinders St yesterday.
Passengers on the train were rudely informed by the driver that someone was forcing the doors open on a carriage. He continued rudely, saying that he could see the person, and if they didn't stop forcing the doors he would report the train as defective and make all passengers get off. As we finally left Flinders station he informed us, still rudely, that the train was running 2 minutes late due to this person.
At North Melbourne the abuse continued, with the driver threatening that "this was the last warning" and "if the doors are held again the train will be declared defective" and all passengers ordered to get off.
At one of the small stations between Footscray and Newport (I now can't remember which) the train stopped, unscheduled. We sat there for some time, until two men exited the driver compartment and walked towards the end of the train (I was in the 1st carriage, so not sure where they went). The doors were not unlocked for other passengers to get out. After a time the two men returned to the driver compartment and the train continued.
At Newport the driver, still rude, reported that the train was now being declared defective, and we were all ordered off.
Regardless of whether or not the train was defective, regardless of whether someone caused this by forcing the doors or if it was caused by some other issue, my complaint resides with the driver and his manner.
He was rude, arrogant, threatened all passengers, and was incredibly unprofessional. If I were to act in that manner in my profession I would, at the very least, be severely reprimanded, at worst fired. While I do not know his name, or what he looks like, I recognise his voice as he frequently makes use of the PA system to speak to passengers, and his manner is often the same.
This is unacceptable.
2 comments:
I think you were very restrained! I'm guessing if the driver does get reprimanded he'll be on the loudspeaker even more on his high horse than ever before.
That train line is completely feral. My sympathy is with the driver. His tone, while unfortunate for law-abiding passengers, may have worked in the past in inducing other passengers to quell the door-jammer.
Having said that, the transport system in Victoria is at break point. Railway staff - nor other passengers - should not have to shoulder the load in place of serious law and order.
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