• Sweden edition

Man thrown off bus in gender row

Published: 3 Oct 09 13:15 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22448/20091003/

A jobsworth bus driver in northern Sweden refused to allow a man to travel with his girlfriend on transport arranged for a ladies night out.

Henrik Larsson decided to accompany his girlfriend for a spot of shopping in Piteå. But little did he know they would end up stranded in Arvisjaur, because he wasn’t the right sex.

The journey began in Arjeplog and was part of an organised evening out for a coach-load of women.

When the bus made a stop mid-way, the driver informed Larsson of the girls-only rule and told him he wasn’t allowed to travel with the group further.

”I’ve never felt so stupid,” Larsson told the Piteå- Tidningen newspaper. ”I didn't believe it was true. Nowhere did it state that it was only women that could go on the bus.”

The company that arranged the evening – Piteå Presenterer - say they regret the actions of the driver.

”This is simply badwill” says Susanne Gustavsson, spokesperson from the company. ”You can’t just throw passengers off halfway.”

Larsson and his girlfriend contacted a friend who drove a 160-kilometre round trip to take them home.

The bus driver could now face action on grounds of sexual discrimination.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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14:13 October 3, 2009 by delusion1982
Henrik! Would you please sue this driver's stupid arse
17:37 October 3, 2009 by Keith #5083
The principle of contract is OK - if the bus was hired for ladies only,at their request.That becomes a condition of the contract. It's the practice that's slightly askew. The driver should have refused the man access in the first place,not dropped him off later. Perhaps the driver was just showing goodwill by allowing him on. Perhaps the driver had 2nd thoughts,or was encouraged to do so. It is fair to say that the other ladies present may have felt inhibited by the presence of a male and had not the freedom to relax fully.

In any event,disciplinary action seems harsh - wouldn't Henrik settle for an apology by the driver for the driver's obvious contractural dilemna?

Any 'discrimination' occurred with the ladies group specifically requiring a female only contract.
19:48 October 3, 2009 by peropaco
But what the hell is Henrik Larsson doing taking the buss anyway? Leave that for the plebs. An A class football star like him should be driving at minumun a Porsche :-)))
21:02 October 3, 2009 by justanotherexpat
It's one thing to contract out a bus, it's another not to publicise the conditions of the contract - it's yet another to throw someone off halfway!

Legally speaking (I think) the bus driver entered into a contract with the passenger when he let the guy on the bus. Chucking him off halfway cos he suddenly "remembered" a women-only rule is utter nonsense - and techincally breach of contract.

I hope personally the bus driver is sued to within an inch of his life. 'Jobsworths' don't deserve aforementioned jobs when there are plenty of people looking for work and who will not be so damned petty.....
21:36 October 3, 2009 by Harding00
I live in Piteå, and I feel pretty ashamed right now at the actions of the bus driver. Forcing the guy off halfway into the trip, what the heck?
22:49 October 3, 2009 by Nemesis
In Piteå that is potentially dangerous. A bit of cold weather and the worst could have happened.
11:33 October 4, 2009 by peropaco
But what about the female passengers; how come they did not come forward and speak out on Henrik behalf? Typical swedish selfish behaviour. Jag jag jag. Not to mention they were probably drunk and incoherent as most swedes get when they are out and about.
15:31 October 4, 2009 by wabasha
who cares? this is news?
01:17 October 5, 2009 by RoyceD
Driver should have to pay the costs of the friend to pick him up, petrol + some time fee. The company should give Henrik something also, say a free charter of his choosing or whatever. And jobsworth get a slap on the wrist for being a bit of a retard.
19:00 October 5, 2009 by spy
Perhaps the bus was en route to the mystical female only city.
13:39 May 17, 2010 by Mr Gee
@Keith #5083

"It is fair to say that the other ladies present may have felt inhibited by the presence of a male and had not the freedom to relax fully."

Keith - sometimes I fear the worst for humanity from people with your type of futile opinions. Get real, this was simply a bus ride, let me make this clearer A BUS RIDE.

I think we need a God to help us!
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