Driver suspended for ‘refusing to operate bus that promotes homosexuality’
A bus promoting homosexuality takes part in a Pride parade. (Getty)
An East Anglia bus company has suspended a driver for allegedly refusing to operate a bus which he said was ‘promoting homosexuality’.
Rebecca Sears was one of three passengers who were “baffled” as the driver complained about his vehicle at Norwich Bus Station on Friday, August 9.
“He told us we couldn’t get on, he was making a call at the time,” she told Norwich Evening News.
“He then said: ‘This bus promotes homosexuality and I refuse to drive it.'”
The driver reportedly took offence at the bus’ service number, which had been printed in the colours of the rainbow flag.
Today I was waiting for the 501 bus to thickthorn and we were told by the driver we had to wait for him to swap buses as “this bus promotes homosexuality and I refuse to drive it” due to the multicoloured “501” sign @nparkandride Norwich doesn’t appreciate homophobia pic.twitter.com/YwDPOT0jeJ
— Becca (@becca_sears) August 9, 2019
“We all looked at each other and couldn’t work out if he was joking. It was just ridiculous,” Sears added.
“You are stopping people from getting home for such a ridiculous reason. We are not asking him to join in with Pride, it’s just about acceptance.”
Bus station was ‘already aware’ of anti-LGBT+ bus driver.
While waiting for a rainbow-free bus to arrive, the 19-year-old complained to station staff who said that they were “already aware of who [she] was talking about”.
Outraged, she turned to social media, tweeting: “Why has nothing been done.
“I’m aware everyone is entitled to their own views however, if you can’t do your job properly because of your bigotry, maybe you need rethink your choices.”
Go East Anglia, which operates the Konectbus park and ride service, later tweeted that the driver had been suspending pending a full investigation.
If you can’t do your job properly because of your bigotry, maybe you need rethink your choices.
The company said that it prides itself “on values that support diversity and inclusion,” noting that it has “been a champion of Norwich Pride since 2017″.
“We particularly want all customers of whatever background or sexual orientation to feel comfortable on our services,” it continued.
“As a company we do not condone any behaviour from our drivers that does not support this view.
“The driver involved in this incident has been suspended and a full investigation is underway.”
