Rash bus driver endangered passengers
LAST Friday at about noon, I boarded SMRT bus service 985 (TIB
917 M) at the bus stop near Goh & Goh Building In Upper Bukit
Timah Road.
I had intended to take the bus to the stop near Woodsville
Flyover, but ended up with more than I bargained for.
Midway through the journey via the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE)
towards Changi, the driver wrongly entered the slip road to Stevens
Road. Realising his mistake, he slowed down and looked around. An
elderly man subsequently approached him and offered directions.
However, the driver surprised the 10-or-so passengers by
entering the nearby Esso petrol station. He proceeded to exit by
the other side, only to shock everyone by colliding with an
oncoming car.
After 20 minutes of verbal exchange with the driver of the car,
and not a word to us passengers, the driver decided to continue
with the journey. Not without running over a kerb though.
Once we were back on the PIE towards Changi, seemingly with the
worst behind us, the driver astounded us further by almost picking
the wrong exit, again. Fortunately, the helpful man was there to
point out his error, but he soon found himself banging into a
handrail as a result of the driver's sudden braking.
To my relief, I eventually reached my intended bus stop, as well
as my meeting place, albeit 40 minutes late.
I am particularly upset because this driver neglected the
welfare of his passengers. Granted, we all are human and make
mistakes, but instead of retrieving the situation in a safe manner,
he endangered our lives.
What is more saddening is that he did not bother to say anything
to us - perhaps a sorry, or anything to make us feel better as we
were all shaken.
Plus, it did not seem he knew much English, or traffic
directions for that matter. He needed help from the good samaritan,
who did not get a word of thanks.
I hope there are no other bus drivers who are road hazards like
him. More important, I hope SMRT adopts strict practices regarding
training for its drivers and safety on the roads.
I have never had anything so negative to say about public
transport, but this instance went too far.
Keith Tyrone Neubronner
(Extracted from the ST forums page dated 29/1/2009)
almost going into thomson rd exit? i took a UK lance, think it was
1008 iirc. Almost went into Thomson as well. SL swerved it onto the
correct path though.
