A bus company has launched an 'urgent investigation' over claims that some drivers refused to pick up 'black or brown men'. Asylum seekers claim some drivers from Stagecoach were "not picking up refugees" who were trying to take public transport from accommodation in North Somerset to Bristol.
Accusations came to light on Sunday, October 2, when a local resident took to social media, claiming buses were refusing to allow asylum seekers, staying in the Holiday Inn at Bristol Airport, on board The investigation comes days after the bus company's initial statement said there was "no evidence to support these allegations.
A spokesperson said "new information" had subsequently come to light and they were carrying out an urgent probe. In the viral thread on Twitter, Angie Bual, a local resident wrote: "Can you help?,@StagecoachSW falcon service has stopped picking up black and brown men at a certain bus stop near me. The drivers accept white passengers. This is apartheid in action."
Ms Bual has since set up a private Whatsapp group for carpooling residents to help those allegedly affected travel into the city centre to use amenities. There have been three incidents reported to Ms Bual - the first being a local resident offering to pay for another resident and it being refused.
Another incident, involving the police, allegedly saw four men trying to get on the bus with cash being refused by the driver. Police were called and the men were made to leave.
A statement from Superintendent Dickon Turner from Avon and Somerset Police said: "There can be no excuse for any form of hate or prejudice in Avon and Somerset and we will always take any offences extremely seriously. We were called by a by a driver on 10 September to a payment dispute between them and a number of people trying to board the bus in North Somerset.
"We were told the individuals were trying to pay in cash and the driver said he was unable to accept the payment. Officers attended to prevent a breach of the peace and no offences were reported ay the time or identified."
Ms Bual has reported her concerns to both Stagecoach SW and the Avon and Somerset Police and claimed she was told Stagecoach was "private company it’s up to them who they take and don’t take".
Mike Watson, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: "We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind or unacceptable behaviour, whether that involves an employee or any customer seeking to use our services. In the past 24 hours, we have been made aware of new detailed complaints regarding the alleged behaviour of some employees operating Falcon services.
"We can confirm we have launched an urgent investigation into the specific circumstances involved. We will not hesitate to take any necessary disciplinary action where our values and people's right to equal access to our services have not been upheld."
The asylum seekers wait by the A38 for a Stagecoach West bus. One man who claimed he was left stranded at the bus stop said: "It made me feel bad because we are people. Maybe our skin colour is different but we're all the same."
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