Re "I spoke to a white driver..."He's off again! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx seeing you have raised the point, again for the purpose personal abuse , but years' old habits must die hard, my reference to white driver was to distinguish from all the others on the outward journey to Harlesden where I had to change buses at Wembley, a place where the joys of diversity would be of such extreme pleasure to you. At the bus stop for the bus to take me to my destination were 4 persons, including myself, the 3 others, youths together and of the hue you favour so much, all eating out boxes from some fast food establishment, and when the contents were devoured, all boxes and wrappings were allowed to fall on the pavement at their feet. Along came the bus, my first introduction to a bendy bus and I was swept on board by a tide of humanity, who obviously had been lurking somewhere and not in a queue, orderly or otherwise. So when I got to the driver I said none of these have paid any fare, no matter he said, but I repeated and repeated none had paid so in the end he said just move on into the bus, which I did. All those getting on were of the same colouration as himself. Before the next stop I had moved further into the bus and when it stopped, the tide of humanity that came on board at the 2nd side entrance was something to behold, and NONE paid or presented a ticket to the machine. This is disgusting I thought and moved even further down into the vehicle and needless to say at the end door, the same happened at all the stops until I had to get off at my destination. I found the shop I was looking for, circa 4pm and the door was closed shut, early closing I thought, but someone inside came to open up and told me the door has to be kept closed at all times due to the nature of those of the neighbourhood. Another joy of diversity. The shop did not have what I wanted so I set off to return to Ealing and when the bus came along, the driver was white and I told him re my experience on the outer journey. London Transport know all about it he said but can't do much, Inspectors I suggested, get beaten up he said unless in groups of six. Oh the joys. Now we know why Police regularly travel on the buses as part of their duties and make their presence known. I wrote to Livingstone re my experience in Wembley to which he replied I was wrong, everyone pays he said. At least Johnston has got to grips with the abuse, rather expensive for we taxpayers but just another of the joys.
Tony Price ● 5227d