BUS COMPANIES TAKEN TO TASK FOR CARELESS DRIVING BY RICHMOND PARK'S MP

4.33.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Jul 2005

A flood of complaints from older Richmond Park residents has prompted Susan Kramer, MP to write to Transport for London about the problem. Susan Kramer said: "This issue was first brought to my attention at the beginning of the year.

"At the time I called on the bus companies to ensure drivers got the proper training so they pulled up properly and drove off carefully when older passengers are getting on and off the bus.

"It seems little has happened to change things and I am now getting more examples of incidents that could have led to an injury.

"I know thoughtless parking can be a nightmare for bus drivers who want to pull in at each stop and I know they feel under pressure to speed away when they experience traffic delays.

"However we do need to respect the needs of older travellers who can be nervous of a bumpy ride and who are more vulnerable to falls.

" We need a proper customer code to ensure that everyone understands the rules and drivers need the training and awareness to abide by this."