A bus driver who allegedly shouted obscenities at his passengers is facing disciplinary action by Stagecoach.
The transport firm said it was acting after a passenger travelling from Aberdeen to Peterhead on Sunday complained about his rude language and attitude.
In a post on social media that tagged the operator, she claimed that the driver – who was not named – had reacted angrily after being handed the incorrect change and when an elderly passenger asked for help.
The woman, who could not be reached last night for comment, said that when one man asked for the bus’s boot to be opened so that luggage could be stored the driver swore and replied: “It’s open for a reason”.
When another passenger handed him a £20 note to pay for a £14 ticket, he was reported to have told them: “For f*** sake, why not give me the right f****** change?”
And when another elderly customer pulled him up on his language he is alleged to have responded: “I don’t f****** care.”
“This is not the first time I’ve experienced drivers like this on [Stagecoach] buses,” she added.
“I think it should be dealt with.
“In this day and age you shouldn’t be taking a job for granted – especially when dealing with the public.”
The post has been shared more than 150 times since being made.
Last night, Stagecoach issued an apology for the incident.
A spokeswoman for the firm said its drivers were expected to deliver “excellent customer service” at all times.
She added: “It appears that the level of service delivered on this isolated occasion fell well short of our usual high standards.
“We have identified the driver involved in these allegations and that employee will now be subject to our disciplinary procedure.”
It is the latest knock the company has suffered on the Aberdeen to Peterhead route.
Last year, customers had complained that the firm’s fleet of new £5.5million Xpress buses were difficult to access for people with disabilities.
It prompted Stagecoach to refit the vehicles – the first of which returned to the roads in March.