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Tin of paint mum refused on Whitby bus
A HINDERWELL mum has slammed Arriva buses for not letting her board a bus with a tin of paint.
Janette Fewster (53) and her partner Paul Hatton (54) tried to get an Arriva bus from Guisborough back home to Hinderwell last Wednesday.
They had been shopping for wallpaper and a tin of paint but when they tried to get on the bus driver wouldn't let them.
The company has since apologised but the incident follows Arriva's recent front page apology in the Whitby Gazette for an unreliable service.
The company has also unveiled plans which bosses say will solve problems of buses breaking down, running late or not turning up.
Mrs Fewster said: "I explained to the driver that I had to get back to my diabetic son Adam (16).
"He cannot be left alone at home as there is a danger he might slip into a diabetic coma if he doesn't eat.
"My stepson Stefan was looking after him but he had to go out and we had to get back.
"It was embarrassing, there was a huge queue behind us and a full bus of people watching us.
"They should put up signs warning people they can't bring paint on the bus.
"How are people without transport able to buy paint and get it home?
"We did not get the driver's name.
"I said to my partner Paul, we will have to leave it here on the pavement so we can get back and he said 'no that's a waste of money, we had paid 10 for the paint and 6.20 each for the bus tickets'.
"I rang and complained, I was angry as we had had to pay 18 for a taxi. Arriva said they will refund the tickets but it isn't the point. It was humiliating and everyone I have talked to is disgusted when I tell them.
"We were in Loftus a few weeks ago and we saw a tin of paint at a bus stop.
"We wondered at the time why but now we know.
"The signs on the bus say no eating or drinking, not no paint.
"The tin was inside two carrier bags, I even offered to put it in my shopping bag and carry it on my knee.
"It was distressing and I want to make people aware of this."
John Fozzard, Arriva marketing manager, said: "We do allow people to carry tins of paint as long as it has not been opened and it is sealed as it was bought from the manufacturer.
"She should have been allowed to carry this tin.
"I'm really sorry this has happened and apologise for it happening.
"Our customer complaints department will be dealing with it within our normal procedure which allows us a period of 10 days to respond.
"It is not appropriate for me discuss the refund in this situation."
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Weather for Whitby
Sunday 05 February 2012
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Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
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