Last week, avid Boston biker Megan and her husband, Kyle, had a very unsettling encounter with an MBTA bus driver in Cambridge. She reached out on the Bike Safe Boston Facebook page to share their story, and I must say, it’s quite a crazy one.

Unfortunately, it may not be a very uncommon one. I’m posting it here as an example of how to properly handle such a situation. Also, Megan and Kyle did what each of us needs to do when something like this happens: they got the driver’s info and filed a report with the MBTA. If none of us takes these steps, there will be no change.

Megan and Kyle, I’m relieved that you’re both okay. I applaud your actions, and salute you for your contributions to the safe cycling triforce!

Here is Megan’s post:

Thanks again for the amazing card! I just used it this morning to report bad bus driving behavior on MBTA’s site. Here is the complaint.

Reference Massachusetts General Law, c. 90 S 14.

My husband and I were traveling on bikes SE on Broadway and passed the #68 bus because it was pulled over picking up passengers.

The bus then passed us and with ample room and pulled over in front of us to pick up more passengers. I thought bus drivers were instructed not to play leap frog with the bikes?

We passed the bus again and the bus caught up to us again and so he could turn right into the Main Street turn around (after the Marriott), he did a right hook when we were centered in the bus length. I jammed on my brakes and slammed my hand on the bus window.

The bus driver stopped and started yelling at me and I explained that he is not supposed to play leap frog and instead of right hooking into us, he might consider yielding until we pass. He was really belligerent and said that we were biking like maniacs and that we were going to get ourselves killed.

I asked for his ID, he told me and my husband and I continued to bike on Broadway. He then continued to yell obscenities, calling me an asshole and then specifying “both of you” out his window at us. This man is dangerous because he does not know the law and he has anger management issues.

I am a member of the Boston Bikes advisory board and LivableStreets and these are the exact situations that we are trying to prevent so that the bicycling population feels safe. I also bike with my 2 year old daughter and behavior exhibited by this bus driver does not make me feel safe.

One week after submitting her complaint to the MBTA, Megan received this response:

From: Customer Concerns CUSTOMERCONCERNS@MBTA.com
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 3:04 PM
To: Megan Ramey
Subject: MBTA Reference #03186741 

Dear Megan Ramey,

Thank you for contacting the MBTA. We appreciate your business and value your feedback.

We appreciate your taking the time to write and sincerely apologize for the operator’s dangerous actions while driving a 68 bus route on January 18, 2012 at approximately 8:15 AM. The type of behavior you described goes against all the operator’s training. Based on the information you provided, the operator has been identified and reinstructed.

The MBTA has ZERO-tolerance and any infraction to any procedure is subject to discipline and/or retraining, and may result in more severe measures, up to and including discharge. While we can not divulge the discipline action or track taken, we can assure you we take these matters seriously.

We appreciate your bringing this matter to our attention and hope to serve you better in the future.

Should you have additional questions or concerns regarding this issue, please contact the MBTA’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200 or 800-392-6100, Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM or visit our website at www.mbta.com.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Flora
Customer Communications Department

What do you think of the MBTA’s reponse? Could they have done more?

I’m impressed by the sincerity and straight-forwardness of Flora’s email. Although she can’t tell us exactly how the situation was handled, it does seem like the MBTA takes this sort of thing very seriously. It’s a blessing that Kyle and Megan weren’t injured, given the driver’s erratic nature and behavior.

So, what about you? Have you ever had an interaction like this with an MBTA driver? Share you stories here, or on Bike Safe Boston’s Facebook page.

Yours,
Josh

IMAGE via flickr.