London: Bus driver tells gay couple to stop kissing or get off
Transport for London (TfL) are investigating after a gay couple said they were told to stop kissing or get off the bus after a homophobic rant by its driver.
Jack James, 23, and his boyfriend, said they were on the number 89 bus near Blackheath when the homophobic rant took place.
Mr James said he was talking to his boyfriend who gave him a peck on the lips. Speaking to the Evening Standard, he recalled that the bus driver said: “Oi, you two don’t do that on my f**king bus or you can get off, I don’t want to watch that.”
The couple didn’t even realise the driver was talking to them to begin with.
They remained on the bus until their stop, and when Mr James asked him whether he was talking to them, he said the driver replied: “Yes, it’s my bus it is my rules and I don’t want to watch that, it’s disgusting, get off the bus.”
After they got off the bus, he said: “I was shaking. The bus stopped again and he shouted and told us we were not real men and we should f**k off.”
According to Mr James, the incident took place at 10.30pm on 8 August.
Mr James said he was considering taking the alleged incident to the police.
Ken Davidson, TfL’s Head of Bus Operations, told the Standard: “All customers have the right to use our services without fear of being abused and offensive behaviour is completely unacceptable. We would like to reassure Mr James that this matter is being taken very seriously and that a thorough investigation is being conducted by Go Ahead.”
TfL has said it will launch an investigation into the complaint. The driver in question is apparently on leave, and will be consulted on his return to work.
