CENTRAL COAST, NSW — A bus driver for CDC NSW / Red Bus has been dismissed following a “discriminatory and harmful” incident in which a passenger with disabilities was left stranded overnight.
The termination follows a formal investigation into a report that the driver refused to allow the passenger to board the last service of the night. This refusal left the vulnerable commuter with no way to get home, an experience the company later described as a “failure of basic human decency.”
Investigation into “Harmful” Conduct
In a formal apology, CDC NSW / Red Bus confirmed that the driver’s actions were a direct breach of internal policies and legal obligations. The company acknowledged the trauma caused by leaving a passenger in an unsafe and humiliating position.
“We want to be absolutely clear: the conduct in question was wrong, discriminatory, and harmful,” the company stated. “Leaving a passenger—particularly a vulnerable passenger—feeling humiliated, dismissed, or unsafe is something we take extremely seriously.”
Following the review, the driver was terminated from their position and will no longer be permitted to work on any CDC NSW or Red Bus services.
Commitment to Passenger Safety
The incident has prompted the transport provider to fast-track internal reforms to ensure no other passenger is subjected to similar treatment. Key actions include:
- Emergency Training: Immediate reinforcement of staff training regarding disability awareness and the legal rights of passengers.
- Zero-Tolerance Policy: A strict reaffirmation of the company’s zero-tolerance stance on discrimination.
- Service Accessibility: A commitment to ensuring public transport remains a safe, inclusive environment for everyone, particularly during late-night services.
CDC NSW / Red Bus stated that the complaint has prompted “further internal action” to ensure that the standards of respect, dignity, and care are upheld by all staff members in the future.
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