A Tayside bus company is refusing to transport wedding parties home because its drivers are fed up of being threatened by boozy revellers.
Bosses at Fishers Tours, based in Dundee, say their staff regularly face verbal abuse and the threat of violence after nuptial celebrations descend into binge drinking sessions.
As a result the firm has decided not to fulfil wedding bookings as of next year, forcing couples to make alternative arrangements.
The company, which operates across Courier country, has written to around 30 customers who had chartered coaches for 2013 to advise of the unexpected cancellation.
Bride-to-be Jade Stewart is among those affected. She said she was ”shocked” and had been forced to change her plans.
Kaye Cosgrove, who runs Fishers Tours alongside husband Jim, explained the company has a duty of care to its drivers.
She wrote: ”Unfortunately it is the minority of passengers on the coaches that are causing the problem and they seem to think that the drivers and coaches are there to be used as their personal transport and when told that they are being dropped off at the pick-up point, as that is what has been booked by the hirer, this is when the problems arise and our drivers are the people who are having to bear the brunt of the abuse which on some occasions has been quite frightening.”
She continued: ”We do realise (people) may take (their) custom elsewhere but we are not prepared to allow our drivers to be the subject of such abuse.”
Jim Cosgrove added that the firm would continue to transport sober wedding guests to a venue but would not offer a return journey.
He said: ”It’s good revenue for us so it’s unfortunate we’re having to take this action. This year has been the worst in terms of disturbances on the bus by wedding guests.
”Going out to the venue they are fine but when you pick them up you don’t know what you’ll face. I would say we have had something happen nearly every weekend and it’s got to the point now where enough is enough.
”Some of drivers are now turning round and refusing to do weddings.”
The most recent case of bad behaviour occurred earlier this month when an angry passenger kicked the panels out of a coach door because the driver refused to drop him off at his home. The resulting damage cost around £500 to repair.
One of those affected by the cancellation is bride-to-be Jade Stewart (21) who booked two 70-seater coaches to transport friends and family to and from the Carnoustie Golf Hotel for her big day next August.
She said: ”I was slightly angry when I read the letter. What I can’t understand is why did they take the booking at the end of August and then just a couple of weeks later cancel?
”That is not what I would expect from a company, we were a bit shocked by that.”
Jade has found an alternative coach operator but is having to pay more.
”I needed two 70-seater coaches but there are none available on that date. I have had to book three 50-seaters, which is costing at least £150 more.”