I have been thinking aloud recently as to what if any different approach would be adopted by a PRIVATE sector operator if they were to be given the 78A to operate as part of a franchised group.

Any opinion,informed or otherwise as to what a TOTALLY commercial approach would be to this very real problem ?

One of the problems associated with substance or alcohol abusers is how,once they have succeeded in gettin past a Driver and actually on to the bus then they are pretty much free to do as they wish...and they do.

There are several with whom I am familiar who go to extreme lengths to be as ghost like as possible when boarding only to set about their anti-social and criminal behaviour with gusto amongst the other non-complaining passengers.

Invariably,I as the driver am only made aware of this (if at all) as the decent passenger leaves the bus.
I therefore tend to be observant as to the locations of these substance abusers and if at all possible I will decline their custom.

I am not interested in confronting or arguing with them as they,by their previous actions have demonstrated to my satisfaction that they constitute an increased risk to my law-abiding "Ordinary" customers.

Sadly as A 2000 states the over-riding attitude of the long suffering "Ordinary" commuter is to be one of stoic hopeful silence..try to appear invisible..It is a natural response to what is in effect Urban terrorism.

It is a sad underlining of the old saying...

"All that is required for evil to prosper,is that good mem remain silent"