Flemish local transport company De Lijn has confirmed that a bus driver, who instructed two passengers to leave his vehicle before they reached their stop, acted in error. The driver had been recalled to his depot due to the snow, but the company says the driver should have continued till the passengers could alight at their stop.
The incident occurred in Laakdal (Antwerp Province) on Wednesday afternoon, when parts of Flanders were experiencing rare heavy snowfall. The bus had started its journey in neighbouring Limburg Province, where at a certain point all bus services were halted and drivers were asked to return to their bus station.
The driver of the bus in question received notification of the instruction to return to his depot as he approached Laakdal on his way to Westerlo, the final destination of the two passengers involved. The driver took the instruction literally and asked the passengers to alight before they had reached their final destination.
Bus company De Lijn acknowledges that the driver acted in error: “When we recall vehicles, because it’s impossible to continue safely, drivers are supposed to drop off passengers at their destination before returning to depot. The company plans to discuss the matter with the driver and to clarify the rules.