Katie Wells - by email (From News Shopper)

Katie Wells - by email

in Letters

I’m 17 and am currently in the sixth form, thus making me entitled to free bus and tram travel.

It actually states ‘16+ Free Travel’ on my Oyster card.

I have a 16+ Free Travel Oyster card which I also top up with money to use on the train.

I was getting a bus from Hayes and scanned my Oyster card but it said I had insufficient funds.

I politely pointed out to the driver that I was entitled to free travel - which was obvious as I was wearing a sixth form lanyard and suit - and the card wasn't working.

He was patronising, rude and completely humiliated me in front of the entire bus by telling me that "I'm not going to be bluffed by your nonsense".

I tried to explain and show him the card where it clearly states 'Free Travel', has my picture on it and that it doesn't expire until September 2012, but he refused to listen and claimed I was lying to the whole bus.

For a 17-year-old girl, this was absolutely degrading and embarrassing, considering I had done nothing wrong.

He told me to pay the fare or get off the bus so I got off the bus and had to walk the rest of my journey.

I was completely flustered and felt demeaned because of it.

I just think it’s absolutely disgusting that he thinks it is okay to talk to a school child like this.

He made a judgement of me that because I was a teenager, I was obviously a liar and I think it is fundamentally wrong for this to be happening.

Katie Wells
By email