Fury as National Express axes ‘rainbow’ Pride bus from route after ‘haters’ threaten drivers
NATIONAL Express has axed a Pride bus from one of its routes — over threats to its drivers.
The rainbow-liveried double-decker was launched in 2019 to help celebrate “diverse communities and culture”.
But the vehicle has now been removed from one of its scheduled circuits in Birmingham due to intimidation towards staff.
A source said: “Lots of drivers at the company have been in uproar as it feels like the haters are being allowed to win.
“We realise safety has to come first — but we can’t believe anyone would bother having such a problem with the bus livery.”
National Express West Midlands said suspending a route was “standard procedure” when a threat has been made — although no further details of the threat were given.
A spokesman added the move was taken to preserve the “safety and wellbeing” of staff and passengers, and made following a “risk assessment”.
They added: “We proudly serve and celebrate our diverse colleagues, customers and communities across Birmingham.
“In line with policy, if we receive specific threats we carry out a risk assessment and for a period of time we may change scheduling to mitigate a risk.
“Our colleagues and customers’ safety and wellbeing is of utmost importance and we do not tolerate abuse or threats of any kind.”
In 2019, a driver in Norwich was suspended by Go East Anglia after refusing to drive the Pride bus there because it “promoted homosexuality”.
Last year South Wales Police was blasted after PCSOs took part in a Pride-themed bus tour with a drag act called Coco Aine.