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Dear Big Blue Bus,
I am sorry to have to write this note for I do not like to get people in trouble, but I've thought about this incident for two days and based on the events of the past week, I feel I must report it.
On Tuesday night, I was riding on a No. # Bus, number ####. Around 6:10 p.m. we past a "No on 8" demonstration in Santa Monica on Ocean Avenue. The bus driver surveyed the situation and exclaimed the slur, "sodomites."
As a gay man, I found this to be incredibly and deeply offensive. I do not believe a public employee on duty and in uniform has any excuse for using a slur like "sodomites". What's next? "Faggots"?
A bus operator is entitled to his beliefs, opinions and even prejudices.
However, no rider should have to hear any slurring language against them by a bus operator on duty for any reason, be it race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or anything else.
Anti-gay bigotry is no longer publicly acceptable as far as I am concerned. Perhaps your operators need diversity training.
In any event, I would like an apology and a promise that it will not happen again.
I am sorry I had to write this note. I believe the Big Blue Bus provides exemplary service and I am otherwise a very satisfied customer.
Best regards,
Dan Wentzel
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Here is the text of the note the Big Blue Bus sent me in reply:
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Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
The Big Blue Bus does not condone the type of behavior that you have described. Your comments have been forwarded to the operations supervisor. The driver will be addressed and the appropriate action will be taken. It is our priority to have curteous drivers.
We appreciate your feedback as it makes us aware of the problems that hinder us from providing excellent public transportation.
Customer Service
Big Blue Bus
