‘Surely that can’t be legal’ – Aussie bus driver shocks passengers with ‘unbelievable’ handwritten note
- Replies 15
We all understand the importance of having appropriate public transport rules in place for safety reasons and to ensure that everyone is having a comfortable time while on their daily commute.
But what would you do if one of these rules stopped you from having a sip of water on a hot day?
Unfortunately, this is exactly what passengers encountered while they were aboard a Melbourne bus recently. The bus driver caused quite a stir after a commuter spotted an ‘inflammatory’ note displayed above the vehicle’s rear-view mirror.
Sharing their experience to the social media forum Reddit, the traveller uploaded a photo of the note along with the caption: ‘$100 for drinking on bus replacements.’
The sign read: ‘No Food Or Drink To Be Consumed On This Vehicle.’
But underneath it, the driver seemed to have added: ‘$100 cash – driver if you want to drink!’ in black marker pen.
The demand for cash (whether it was added as a joke or not) did not go down well with users on Reddit. Most of them were quick to slam the driver’s quip and some were appalled given the sweltering temperatures in the state.
‘If you’re stuck in 30°C heat in a sardine can for an hour, it seems reasonable to be allowed to hydrate yourself,’ one said, while another responded: ‘If anything, Metro should be handing out free bottles of water instead.’
‘If I am stuck on a replacement bus, I’ll be drinking water,’ someone wrote.
‘I highly doubt it’s enforceable,’ one added.
‘Or what? Is he going to call the police for my bottle of water? Stop the bus and try to kick me off?’ one more replied.
Some people were quick to clarify that these signs are usually directed at people who bring in soft drinks and alcohol while on the bus. ‘No one is going to care if you have water,’ they added.
‘Exactly. I can’t tell if people are joking or everyone is missing the point but “no drinks” 99 per cent of the time means nothing but water,’ someone responded as well.
However, this was rebutted by other social media users – particularly those who do not speak English as a first language. ‘As a person who doesn’t have English as a first language, to me, no drinks mean no drinks, including water,’ one clarified.
Others stated that the driver was trying to make quick cash and urged the traveller to report him to the bus company.
‘I’m pretty sure it’s a human right to drink water at any time. I don't think they can stop you drinking water pretty much anywhere,’ one commented.
Some people said that they needed to eat or drink at specific times to manage a medical condition.
‘Isn't refusing people the right to drink water illegal? What about people with medical conditions? You're going to tell someone with diabetes that they can't take on board their jelly beans? There's a reason water is free (tap water and by law) in restaurants,’ someone claimed.
While others shared their own stories while commuting.
A Reddit user wrote: ‘Some bloke made me throw an unopened bottle of cordial in the bin before letting me on once (in Traralgon). Even after I pointed out I wasn’t likely to be drinking UNMIXED cordial.’
They added that the bus driver was adamant that they won’t be allowed to get on the bus if they don’t get rid of the bottle of cordial.
‘Sadly, it was 90 minutes until the next one and I wanted to get back to Melbourne, because if I had an alternative, I would’ve made my opinion of him very clear,’ the Reddit user continued.
However, it can be an offence to litter or cause damage to the vehicle by spilling food or drinks inside.
Have you ever experienced anything similar while commuting? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!
But what would you do if one of these rules stopped you from having a sip of water on a hot day?
Unfortunately, this is exactly what passengers encountered while they were aboard a Melbourne bus recently. The bus driver caused quite a stir after a commuter spotted an ‘inflammatory’ note displayed above the vehicle’s rear-view mirror.
Sharing their experience to the social media forum Reddit, the traveller uploaded a photo of the note along with the caption: ‘$100 for drinking on bus replacements.’
The note was displayed at the front of the replacement bus. Credit: Reddit
The sign read: ‘No Food Or Drink To Be Consumed On This Vehicle.’
But underneath it, the driver seemed to have added: ‘$100 cash – driver if you want to drink!’ in black marker pen.
The demand for cash (whether it was added as a joke or not) did not go down well with users on Reddit. Most of them were quick to slam the driver’s quip and some were appalled given the sweltering temperatures in the state.
‘If you’re stuck in 30°C heat in a sardine can for an hour, it seems reasonable to be allowed to hydrate yourself,’ one said, while another responded: ‘If anything, Metro should be handing out free bottles of water instead.’
‘If I am stuck on a replacement bus, I’ll be drinking water,’ someone wrote.
‘I highly doubt it’s enforceable,’ one added.
‘Or what? Is he going to call the police for my bottle of water? Stop the bus and try to kick me off?’ one more replied.
Passengers were outraged at the ‘illegal’ note. Credit: Jen/Pexels
Some people were quick to clarify that these signs are usually directed at people who bring in soft drinks and alcohol while on the bus. ‘No one is going to care if you have water,’ they added.
‘Exactly. I can’t tell if people are joking or everyone is missing the point but “no drinks” 99 per cent of the time means nothing but water,’ someone responded as well.
However, this was rebutted by other social media users – particularly those who do not speak English as a first language. ‘As a person who doesn’t have English as a first language, to me, no drinks mean no drinks, including water,’ one clarified.
Others stated that the driver was trying to make quick cash and urged the traveller to report him to the bus company.
‘I’m pretty sure it’s a human right to drink water at any time. I don't think they can stop you drinking water pretty much anywhere,’ one commented.
Some people said that they needed to eat or drink at specific times to manage a medical condition.
‘Isn't refusing people the right to drink water illegal? What about people with medical conditions? You're going to tell someone with diabetes that they can't take on board their jelly beans? There's a reason water is free (tap water and by law) in restaurants,’ someone claimed.
While others shared their own stories while commuting.
A Reddit user wrote: ‘Some bloke made me throw an unopened bottle of cordial in the bin before letting me on once (in Traralgon). Even after I pointed out I wasn’t likely to be drinking UNMIXED cordial.’
They added that the bus driver was adamant that they won’t be allowed to get on the bus if they don’t get rid of the bottle of cordial.
‘Sadly, it was 90 minutes until the next one and I wanted to get back to Melbourne, because if I had an alternative, I would’ve made my opinion of him very clear,’ the Reddit user continued.
However, it can be an offence to litter or cause damage to the vehicle by spilling food or drinks inside.
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all the time, they give you free bottled water when you get on any of the buses. It was very welcomed by everyone. We should be looking at the things from around the world that enhance our lives not make it worse.
