A concerned mother is calling for an apology from a bus operator after its driver reportedly shouted at her 12-year-old daughter, blaming her for a collision involving the vehicle. The incident took place on January 9, when an Arriva bus struck a parked van at a bus stop near Lord Derby Academy in Huyton.
The Incident Unfolds
Lyssa Storey had just finished her school lessons early and was waiting for the 2:55 p.m. number nine bus to Liverpool on Seel Road. Due to a van and two cars blocking the bus stop, she stepped into the road to signal the approaching bus, which arrived late at around 3:10 p.m. The crash occurred shortly after, prompting the driver to allegedly yell at Lyssa, accusing her of causing the accident. This left the young girl terrified and reluctant to use the route again.
Mother’s Frustration and Impact on Daughter
Kirsty Holland, Lyssa’s 42-year-old mother, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the bus company’s handling of the situation. She described the driver’s behavior as unacceptable and stressed that no adult should speak to a child in that manner. “She’s too intimidated to get that bus route home anymore,” Holland stated. “All I want is for him to hold his hands up, apologise, say ‘look, I was having a bad day and took it out on the wrong person.’ We’ve all done it.”
Holland highlighted the emotional toll on her daughter, noting that the incident has made Lyssa anxious about attending school and using public transport. “It terrified her; she doesn’t want to go to school because of him shouting at her,” she added. “He’s an adult man, and the way he blamed her for him crashing the bus is not okay. All she did was put her hand out for a bus.” As a result, Lyssa now takes a longer route home, adding about 30 minutes to her journey and raising safety concerns for her parent.
Bus Company’s Response
Arriva has initiated an investigation into the matter and scheduled a meeting with the driver involved. A spokesperson for Arriva Merseyside emphasized the company’s commitment to customer safety, stating, “Arriva takes the safety and wellbeing of our customers very seriously. We are aware of the incident on the number 9 service on Friday, January 9, and the concerns raised by a customer’s family. The driver involved has been requested to attend a meeting, and all aspects of the incident are being carefully investigated.” However, due to confidentiality policies, the company declined to provide further details on any disciplinary actions.
Holland criticized the response as insufficient, insisting that her daughter deserves a formal apology to help her feel secure again on the bus service.
