December 5, 2000 10:38: THE parents of a schoolboy, stuck on a bus when the driver reportedly cracked under the strain, have slammed the company which employs her.
Bel and Alan Sharps 11-year-old son Leo (pictured right) was on a 353 bus from Orpington to Addington village with about 30 other passengers last Thursday afternoon when the driver deviated from her set route and refused to let anyone get off.
The journey, dubbed "the magical mystery tour" by the youngsters father, started at Keston Mark at about 3.45pm when 25 schoolchildren from nearby Ravens Wood School in Oakley Lane, got on the bus and started ringing the bell.
According to Leo, the driver shouted out: "Right, thats it. Were going straight to Addington."
Forty minutes later, after a drive around the countryside, the driver pulled into Ravens Wood Schools grounds and the youngsters forced their way off the bus.
Leo described the atmosphere on the bus as he travelled to parts of the borough he had never seen before.
He said: "Some children kept ringing the bell and there was a lot of laughing. A few people were really annoyed and swearing at the driver.
"I was frightened because if she had put us out in Addington I wouldnt know how to get home."
Mr Sharp said: "Leo turned up at home more than an hour late and looking quite shaken."
The Sharps say Leo had talked about the driver of the bus being highly strung on previous occasions.
Mrs Sharp said: "It is obvious she cant cope with the job. I think she should not be driving on that route again.
"I understand children can be very irritating, but if she cant deal with it then she shouldnt be doing the job."
The couple immediately telephoned Metrobus to tell them of the incident and ask if the driver would be suspended.
A Ravens Wood School spokesman said there had been previous incidents between the particular bus driver and children and the school had received complaints from parents. The school contacted Metrobus to ask about the incident, but had received no feedback.
At the time of going to press, Metrobus had not responded to the Sharps or Ravens Wood School and had refused to comment to the News Shopper.
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