Too late - because my bus didn't turn up

Apr 20 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

THE daughter of a man who gave his life to Birmingham's buses missed out on the chance to speak to travel bosses because her service didn't turn up on time.

Elaine Handley, aged 37, from Dyas Road, Kingstanding, tried desperately to get to the Birmingham Mail's Big Debate to speak face to face with Britain's bus chief Richard Bowker.

But her local bus was so late she didn't arrive until the meeting was over and the panel of experts had gone home. But the Birmingham Mail is now putting her questions to Travel West Midlands bosses to answer.

The lively debate gave scores of readers the chance to put their questions to a panel of top industry experts.

Today Mrs Handley spoke of her anger and claimed she had been let down by the bus service provided by Travel West Midlands.

Mrs Handley, whose father Victor Lafite was a bus driver in Perry Barr for more than 30 years, said: "I am furious that I couldn't put my question to the bus bosses just because their system doesn't work properly.

"My dad gave his life working on Birmingham's buses and died on his way to work for them when he was only 63.

"My bus was nearly 30 minutes late which meant I missed my next connection. When I finally got through the doors everyone had gone and I felt embarrassed that I had missed it all.

"Then I realised it wasn't my fault and I just started to feel really angry.

"It is not the bus drivers' fault. We don't want to raise our voices to drivers because they get it left, right and centre and instead we just have to grin and bear it."

A spokesman for Travel West Midlands confirmed: "The 7.15pm TWM service 28, departing Dyas Road Kingstanding, operated 15 minutes late last night. This was due to a mechanical problem incurred by the bus.

"Many of the audience took the opportunity to talk to all the panellists before and after the event. I am sure that if the Birmingham Mail would like to submit the question on behalf of their reader, the response will be forthcoming."

Questions submitted to the panel about specific problems and services will be answered individually by Travel West Midlands and the responses published in the Birmingham Mail.