Hello Everyone, 

I need some advice concerning GNE and my bus pass. I have Asperger Syndrome and hold a County Durham concession bus pass, my pass also allows for a companion to travel with me. However I have had issues with go north east bus drivers and my pass.

I am aware that my pass has to be checked on occasion to stop fraud, however certain for go north east drivers have started to target me and accuse me of stealing a pass, after printing a ticket for me these drivers have demanded to see my pass, with one driver following me to a seat and shouting at me in front of a crowded bus.

I’ve also been thrown off an X1 because the driver didn’t need believe that I was disabled and just yesterday my partner and I were going to Newcastle when the driver of the x21 demanded that I show my pass. Despite two other people, one being in a wheelchair and an elderly lady who the driver let on without hesitation, I lost my temper and walked off the bus.

I feel that I’m being signaled out for having autism, that because it can’t been seen means it’s not real. 

I’ve written to the managing director about this, I have also had many heated correspondences with customer services, with the latest being that it’s for “revenue protection” and that the driver was in the right. 

I’m now scared to use my pass, my social anxiety on buses has gotten so bad my partner doesn’t want to get buses with me for fear I’ll have a meltdowns

I just wondering if anyone else has had issues like this.