Bus driver in 'race abuse' fare row

Ciara Leeming

April 20, 2007

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ANGRY: Marcus Coore, 17.

A TEENAGER claims he was ordered off a bus and racially abused by the driver in a row over his fare.

Bus operator First is investigating allegations that a driver on the number 89 route called Marcus Coore, 17, a `black b******' and forced him off the bus partway through his journey.

Trainee plumber Marcus only had 70p when he got on the bus at Strangeways heading home to Blackley after spending the day looking for a part-time job and the driver refused to allow him on.

Another passenger on the bus, family friend Maureen Burnett, handed over an extra 70p to the driver and Marcus was allowed on to the bus. But when the bus reached North Manchester General Hospital at Crumpsall, a few stops short of Marcus's destination, the driver stopped and ordered him off.

One of Mrs Burnett's friends, who was travelling with her on the bus, offered the driver more money to cover the fare but he still refused to change his mind and allegedly became abusive.

Mrs Burnett, 67, claims the driver trapped her in the bus doors as she tried to follow Marcus off the vehicle and only freed her when she threatened to hit him.

Once off the bus there was a scuffle, during which Mrs Burnett allegedly hit the driver with her handbag and kicked him. Marcus's shirt was also torn and police were called to the scene, although no arrests were made.

After the incident Marcus and his family made a formal complaint to First.

'Childish'

Marcus said: "I am so angry about what happened. The bus driver behaved in such a childish way.

"He was racially abusive towards me and also insulted Maureen, saying she had been 'dragged up.' No one wants to be spoken to like that. He wound me up and I probably shouldn't have reacted but this man shouldn't be allowed to get away with that. All I want is for him to be punished."

Mrs Burnett, whose grandson went to school with Marcus, was on the bus with a 73-year-old friend and 13-year-old granddaughter.

She said: "When we got to the hospital at Crumpsall the driver told Marcus to get off the bus. I told him not to and I would pay any extra. But the driver said I didn't know Marcus and called him a black b****** and a scrounger and threatened to drag him off the bus.

"He was just out for trouble - there was no need for it. Marcus hadn't done anything whatsoever.

"I've known Marcus for a long time and he isn't a trouble causer. The driver was arrogant and just wouldn't listen."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they had attended an incident in Crumpsall and spoke to all parties about their conduct.

Bob Mason, of First, has promised a full investigation into the incident.

He said: "The company has written to Ms Harvey (Marcus' mother) to reassure her the kind of situation she describes is entirely unacceptable and we have started a full investigation.

"The driver involved will be interviewed in line with company procedures."

"While awaiting the outcome of this investigation I would like to apologise to all those involved in this incident for any distress."

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David,North Manchester (20/04/2007 at 10:37)

If he only had 70p then why did he expect to be let on the bus in the fist place.

Daniel (20/04/2007 at 11:28)

If it were an old lady david, im sure the driver would have let her off the fare. But because its a young adult no one has the time of day for them. Its a disgrace! Young people are treated all the same, Your forgeting that these young people are the future. And a couple of them will be probably looking after you in that nurseing home. So stop and think before you make daft comments. With 70p you can get on a bus no problem, obviously if you cant afford to go all the way then its tough luck but if someone offers to pay it for you then whats the problem. Obviously the driver is just like you david!

ace, manchester (20/04/2007 at 11:33)

David,North Manchester
Looking for a free ride "no doubt"? If you cannot afford the bus fare you dont travel ? Thats what normal people do.

ian capewell, Oldham (20/04/2007 at 12:17)

i agree, most of us spend a fortune travelling on public transport, if you cant afford the fare dont get on!

john (20/04/2007 at 12:35)

no fare no travel its that simple, unless of course its late at night at the person is a child in which case the police should be called to escort them home.
why is it that whenever a asian youth gets in to trouble they claim racial abuse ? its old hat now and does not work anymore. Perhaps the driver like most others in this country is sick of the race card being pulled.

AH, Manchester (20/04/2007 at 12:43)

the person who should be complaining is Margaret, after she was trapped in the doors!
What do people expect, if you dont have the fare you can't have the ride!

Sam Anderson (20/04/2007 at 12:50)

I agree with all the comments made here. I too, am also sick and tierd of the 'race card' being pulled out. I'm white, your black, your asian or whatever - get over it.

Chris, Sharston (20/04/2007 at 13:01)

It's not fare !

alix, manchester (20/04/2007 at 13:45)

no Sam and John its not the race card being used, the driver called him a black B****** and should be fired on the spot end of story. there is no need to racially abuse people its not acceptable ever, i suggest you both grow up and until you know what it is like to be racially abused i suggest you shut up also.
PS i am white and British

Mike S, Manchester (20/04/2007 at 14:08)

Mr Coore shouldn't have tried to board the bus if he couldn't pay.

The driver shouldn't have racially abused him.

Neither had any excuse. End of.

By the way, love the "Angry: Marcus Coore, 17" at the footer of the picture. Looks more like he posed for several pics and chose the one he liked best. And he doesn't look very angry.

Sam Anderson (20/04/2007 at 15:03)

Alix, as I said earlier - GET OVER IT!

David, North Manchester (20/04/2007 at 15:28)

you miserable lot, know it all and never wrong aren't you? well I hope you never have to rely on the goodwill of your fellow citizens ever for anything, like losing your purse or having a break down and having to make it home. I feel sorry for the lad after his experience. Who hasn't ever asked a bus driver to take them as far as they can with the money they have ?

Steve_, Manchester (20/04/2007 at 15:48)

John, you surely can?t be that thick! Talk about jumping on the bandwagon huh?! For one, this kid is not Asian. Also, complaining about being called a ?black b******? is not pulling out the race card. The driver was completely wrong to be racially abusive, there?s no excuse for it. He was offered the extra fare by other passengers, so the excuse that the kid was `trying it on? doesn?t hold.

The_umpire, Salford, Lancashire (20/04/2007 at 15:54)

Again, the race card is being played!

How many people were on the bus, how many different people heard the driver, calling his passenger, that name.

Again, I agree with 99% of people, why did he try to get on the bus when he was more than half his fare short. He was lucky that lady was on the bus to help him out.

I am 44, and I am more skint than anyone, but I wouldn't dare try getting on the bus if I didn't have the fare, so try walking, like I do every day and I walk 3 miles back and forth from my house near Prestwich.

peter (20/04/2007 at 21:48)

if the race comments are true then that well out of order, but how does it always start when someone trying to get something for nothing and others having to pay,driver shouldn't of aloud the journey in the first place without the right fare, everyone else pays,rule in britain hard days pay for hard days work,everyone pays the same for a loaf,stop abusing it for everyone else

NB, Eccles (21/04/2007 at 01:17)

He may or may not of genuinely been short of money, but it's difficult to know who to believe when there are so many con artists around.

There's one guy that hangs around the Piccadilly area nearly every day asking people to help him out since he's either short of change for the bus, or he's lost his pass, or had his wallet stolen or whatever. The story changes slightly and he's very plausible until you realise he's there time and time again and probably making more in an hour than the people he's conning. Then when he's had enough he gets the bus home... and tells the driver he's lost his pass and can't find an inspector so gets let on for nothing!

Emsleypaul (21/04/2007 at 09:29)

Bus fares are high enough without those of us who pay the correct fare having to pay extra to cover for fare dodgers, which is what this person is.

I agree that if there was any racial abuse, that is not acceptable, and the person being trapped in the doors is also not acceptable, but to commit a crime, (as fare dodging is theft), and then to expect the sympathy vote from the public because you got caught doing it isn't acceptable.

If we all fiddled our bus fare, we wouldn't have a bus company left. Thank heavens that some of us are honest and pay our way.

Eddie, none (21/04/2007 at 09:29)

Hang on, the 70p fare doesn't apply to this young man anyway. Its for children 5 to 12 without a paermit and young people 13-15 with a permit.In all respect he's NONE of these.

David,North Manchester, none (21/04/2007 at 13:21)

The comment posted at 15.28 has nothing to do with me,mine is the first comment,is it a mistake or a wind up or is somebody using a name that has already made a comment.

busman_dave, manchester (22/04/2007 at 19:52)

while not condoning the "alleged" remark made by the driver, they always say there's TWO sides to every story, so why didn't the Evening News get the drivers side of the story, or any of the other passengers that were on the bus? the 70p fare system is being abused greatly, and it's about time the GMPTE clamped down on it by making it a strict rule of "NO PASS, NO 70p fare" no arguements.

J Sheldon (23/04/2007 at 00:44)

Lets not forget that the police attended at this incident. Why are the family not complaining about the lack of police action if they are so in the right.

NB, Eccles - makes a good point about City Centre sob stories. There is one who also looks for people sorting out their change, then pounces.

alix, manchester (23/04/2007 at 12:39)

Sam what exactly are you telling me to 'get over'? regardless of your obviously racist views this boy should not have been called names. END OF STORY!

ace, manchester (23/04/2007 at 14:56)

alix, manchester
I was called all sorts of names throut my life ? i never once thought that i should get revenge or cost somebody their job (I an bigger than that) i dont have a chip on my shoulder or even worried what people call me ,i am more intelligent that that.When people call you names its mainly because those who call you names are not very well educated .So if you are intelligent enough to know this you just ignore them "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never HURT ME " this is a very simple lesson even very small children learn........

alix, manchester (23/04/2007 at 16:49)

Ace for once i agree with you that people who call you names are usually un educated but why did the bus driver have to bring race into it? if he really had to call him names because he just couldn't help himself why does it have to be about the colour of his skin.
the bus driver should be sacked

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