A Scots schoolboy was refused on a bus at night after being told by the driver to "iron his ticket".
Andrea MacFarlane says her son Freddie, 12, was on his way home when he attempted to board a Lothian Buses service from East Craigs towards Edinburgh city centre shortly after 8pm on Thursday, April 27.
Freddie was expected home around 8.30pm and when he didn't arrive Andrea became worried and tried to call her son, but his phone was turned off. He finally arrived home at 9.30pm and informed Andrea of what the driver allegedly told him.
Despite attempting to board the bus himself and with a valid day ticket, Freddie claims he was told by the driver that 'it was too crumpled' and if he 'gave it an iron' then he would be let on.
Andrea told Edinburgh Live : "He was at a friends house and didn't get home until nearly 9.30pm so I started to get worried that something had happened to him.
"His phone had run out of battery but he was supposed to be home around 8.30pm. When he got home he said he wasn't allowed on the bus as his ticket was too crumpled.
"You can see it is crumpled but it is still easily readable. I asked if he was with other kids or if they were mucking about - but he said he was by himself.
"He said the driver told him to go home and give it an iron then you can get on the bus."
Lothian Buses say they have since launched an investigation into the incident.
Andrea added: "I know kids muck about but they should still let them on. He was totally by himself.
"I made a complaint on the Lothian Buses website. I think the way they act towards children is a power trip and they would never say that kind of thing to an adult."
Freddie usually uses a free bus travel card but after losing it recently he was given money for a day ticket.
After posting about the incident in a local Facebook group, SNP councillor Euan Hyslop commented saying he would also chase the incident up with Lothian Buses.
Mr Hyslop said: "I was shocked reading reports the 12-year-old was turned away from the bus due to a crumpled ticket. I have since asked Lothian Buses to investigate the incident and to clarify the specific policy on the validity of tickets.
"Lothian Group and their staff provide communities across Edinburgh with a valued public service, but if this account of events is accurate it's a failure to safeguard the wellbeing of a potentially vulnerable young person.
"The parent who voiced their anger on social media has every right to be upset, and it is important that Lothian look into the incident to prevent this type of situation occurring in the future."
A spokesperson for Lothian Buses said: "Lothian is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our people and our customers. We are in the process of conducting an investigation into the alleged incident and are in direct contact with the family involved."
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