Investigation launched after Rye driver smoking claims

Nikkie Hovenden said she spotted the driver in the Rambler coach smoking as he waited to pick up children outside Rye Primary School on July 15.

She said: “It’s disgusting, even if it wasn’t kids getting on the bus it’s still wrong.

“He shouldn’t have sat there while waiting for primary school children and had two cigarettes.

“It wouldn’t even be right if it was an electric cigarette he was smoking, he should still get off the bus.

“The smell of smoke travels so that coach would have needed a good clean, as the smell would have got into the fabric of the seats that children are having to sit on.

“How would the guy like it if it was his children getting on that bus? I’m sure he wouldn’t be happy.”

Brian McNeilly, manager of Rambler Coaches, said: “No one was onboard the coach and the driver is being dealt with by us.”

He said the firm received a photograph of the driver smoking.

Mr McNeilly added: “We have a strict no smoking policy on all of our coaches. I don’t know what job the driver was on but it is all academic to me, in that there is no smoking on the coach, whether you’re picking up school children or pensioners or anyone else.”

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