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Arrest threat for bus bargers
Oct 2 2003
By Ben Hurst, Evening Mail
A new phenomenon sweeping the city is pushing commuters and leisure travellers to boiling point.
Bus queue bargers are making the lives of pensioners a misery by bringing bus rage to Birmingham.
Huge crowds of queue jumpers are jostling patient passengers out of the way, forcing police to get involved.
A leading city councillor today urged officers to make arrests on the mobs of pushers for assault.
Liberal Democrat leader Coun John Hemming fears serious injuries could be caused unless the bus bandits are caught. The situation at Birmingham's bus mall is causing flash-points with infuriated passengers arguing and even coming to blows.
Some services such as the flagship number 50 route are seriously hit with vast crowds of people barging and shoving whenever a bus arrives.
Coun Hemming said: "I have received a number of complaints about people pushing to the front of the queue for buses.
"I would think that those who are doing so are committing assaults on those who are in the queue from a strict statutory position.
"It really is something which puts people off catching the buses."
Passenger Emily Cox said: "Far too many people are barging in at the front of the queue."
Phil Bateman, from Travel West Midlands, said: "Unfortunately there are a number of people who try and barge their way to the front of the queue. As this happens on the pave-ment, a public highway, then this really is a public order offence and a matter for the police."
A spokeswoman for the West Midlands Police said: "We are not aware of any problems down there. There are a dedicated number of officers in the Digbeth area.
"Moor Street Station is also covered by the British Transport Police and CCTV cameras. Any complaints of assault will be investigated fully."
