Why aren’t there more bus drivers like Les?

Les is a ‘hero of the road’! Salute to rule-breaking bus driver who goes extra mile for disabled passengers

From left: Ian Dalby, Jennette Arnold, Les Peacock, and in front, Angela Dobson

From left: Ian Dalby, Jennette Arnold, Les Peacock and, in front, Angela Dobson

Published: 12 April, 2013
by PETER GRUNER

A “KINDLY” bus driver who admits to breaking the rules to help a severely disabled woman from Holloway get aboard his vehicle has been presented by her with a distinguished service commendation.

Les Peacock, 59, not only stops his No 17 bus when he sees people in wheelchairs, but against the company rules, he switches his engine off and personally helps them to navigate the vehicle’s automatic ramp.

This “simple act of kindness” so impressed disabled woman Angela Dobson, 62, who has cerebral palsy, that she decided to track Les down to the Metroline bus garage at Pemberton Gardens, Holloway, where he is based.

On Monday afternoon, Les was the proud recipient of a “hero of the road” certificate of commendation from Ms Dobson, with the support of London Assembly Labour member Jennette Arnold, on behalf of Islington’s disabled people.

Father-of-two Les, from Waltham Abbey, a double-decker bus driver for almost 40 years, has for most of that time operated route 17 from Archway, Caledonian Road, and King’s Cross-and London Bridge.

Ms Dobson lives in the Cally Road and regularly catches the 17 to go shopping or visit friends or family. “Many bus drivers are pretty indifferent to people in wheelchairs,” she said.

“Sometimes they don’t stop, or the ramp doesn’t work, or they don’t position the device correctly with the pavement.

“Les, however, is different. He gets out of his vehicle, even at peak times, and helps me get on board.

He makes sure I am safely inside the bus before he gets back into his cabin to drive away. What’s more, he’s always very kind and courteous.”

Les, who is a volunteer for a Crohn’s disease charity, said: “When they first introduced the ramps we were able to get out and help people because they were new.

“But today you are not meant to turn the engine off and leave the vehicle. I suppose it holds passengers up.

“Well, I’m sure most people don’t mind waiting a few more minutes for someone with mobility problems.”

Garage manager Ian Dalby said he was delighted that Les had received the award.

“He’s an experienced driver who uses his discretion. He is a shining example of the lengths our drivers will often go to help passengers with difficulties.”

Ms Arnold described Les as the “patron saint” of Metroline.

“He uses his brain and interprets the rules in a sensible way.

“If all drivers did that everyone would have a comfortable journey.”

She added that she will now be asking Transport for London to launch a London-wide competition for passengers to nominate their favourite drivers. “I’m sure there are other examples of good practice. We should celebrate them.”

Last year, the Tribune reported Ms Dobson’s concerns that disabled space on buses was often taken up by pushchairs and buggies.

Under the law disabled people have priority and parents and carers should fold pushchairs and buggies to allow wheelchair access.

http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2013/apr/les-hero-road-salute-rule-breaking-bus-driver-who-goes-extra-mile-disabled-passengers