There are honourable exceptions, but most First bus drivers in Glasgow are rude, miserable and unhelpful. I even had one shout and swear at me once – the bus was caught up in traffic as it approached the bus stop, and he’d apparently wanted me to run back and catch the bus while it was stopped in traffic, so he didn’t have to stop twice. I didn’t understand that was what he wanted me to do, so I waited at the stop, and when he eventually stopped at the stop he verbally abused me and swore at me. The bus changed drivers at Anniesland Cross, so perhaps he was trying to get home early.

I reported the incident to First, giving a full description of the driver responsible and even the registration plate of the vehicle. Six months down the line, I’ve heard nothing about my complaint. I’ve phoned up twice and both times they’ve told me that they have no information about it to give me, although the complaint is logged on their records. So much for customer service.

I’ve also seen other people being badly treated by First bus drivers, quite often you see drivers going straight past people who are clearly signaling for the bus to stop. I wonder how many times a Glasgow bus driver has won First’s award for excellent customer service. My guess would be “never”…