Michael Gwennap-Bawden was left no option but to leave the bus when the driver refused his £10 note
Michael Gwennap-Bawden was left no option but to leave the bus when the driver refused his £10 note
A BOY was left "with no other option" than to leave the bus he was travelling to school on, because the driver would not take a £10 note for his fare.
Michael Gwennap-Bawden, 12, from Reawla near Hayle, catches the number 39 First Bus service every day for school but had to leave the bus when the driver could not change a £10 note.
Michael uses the 8.00am bus service to travel to Camborne Science and International Academy. Despite living closer to Hayle school, Michael prefers Camborne Academy because it is better suited for his needs due to him having dyslexia.
On Monday, the first back of the new term, Michael tried to pay for his £2.25 bus fare with a £10 note but was refused and offered a credit note instead.
Michael said: "It was the first day back and I was quite excited as Camborne school is my favourite school as they are quite high in science and P.E. I asked for a return to the school but only had £10 and I have paid with notes before. The driver said he didn't have enough change and offered me a credit note but I couldn't do that because I needed money for my school dinner.
"I offered to change the money in the shop that was 10 metres away but he said no. A lady on the bus suggested to the driver that he use her fare of £4.50 so I would have change for lunch. But the driver said no as he wouldn't have any change for anyone else. In the end I had to leave the bus and the driver just didn't care."
Michael walked home in the rain after not being able to get on the bus but luckily his dad was at home and was able to take him to school.
Michael said: "I walked home quite upset and I was also worried about my parents because they can be prosecuted if I don't go to school. Luckily dad was home but him taking me made him late for work.
"One of my friends used a note and had a credit note before and it meant he had no dinner, I even offered him some of mine that day but he refused."
Emma Bawden, Michael's mother said: "First Kernow have responded on Radio Cornwall and said Michael was not asked to leave the bus. However in my opinion he wasn't given an opinion to stay either.
"If Michael had gone with a credit not he would have had no money for lunch and I have heard this is what has happened to another boy on the bus too. It's horrible to think children have gone without lunch because of the bus company's policy.
"Something needs to be done the company needs to either increase their float or change their policy."
A First Kernow spokesperson said: "The bus driver explained to the child that he did not have any change for a £10 note so offered him a change ticket (credit note) instead, which is standard practice in such instances. The child was not told by the driver to leave the bus."