Staffordshire bus driver who saw fights and abuse questions new fines

One of the regulars that he picked up on his route in the day is Kathy Williams, on her way back home from shopping in Stoke-on-Trent.

She said the threat of a fine could make some people think twice about behaving badly.

“I think it’s a good thing,” she said.

“I haven’t noticed it as much on the buses but on the trains it’s bad.

“Just that the prime minister has brought it up, it might be enough to deter people from that sort of behaviour.”

In response to concerns about enforcement, Staffordshire Police’s lead for antisocial behaviour, Supt David Barrow, said the force welcomed the government’s measures and recognised the impact such behaviour could have on passengers.

He said officers would use an “engage, explain and enforce” approach and would continue working with transport operators and local authorities.

“Where incidents involve crime, threats or a risk to safety, we will continue to respond appropriately and target recurring problems using information reported by passengers, drivers and operators,” he said.

For Gibson, despite the challenges, there are still reasons he has stayed in the job for more than four decades. These days, his routes mainly take him around north Staffordshire.

“You’re out and about, you meet people and it’s not being stuck in one place all the time,” he said.

“We tend to do the same runs, so we see the same people, we get to know them and they get to know us. We are not just the faceless guy behind the wheel.”