‘Uproar’ as National Express makes controversial change to Pride bus

A bus company has axed one of its Pride bus routes celebrating LGBT+ rights following ‘threats’ to drivers.

Passengers in Birmingham have been able to get on board the rainbow-hued Pride bus since it launched around five years ago.

The bus appeared on the city roads in 2018 to celebrate Pride, decorated with the signature colours of the flag symbolising the LGBTQ+ communities.

But now one of the routes has been suspended following threats targeting staff who are thought to be drivers.

National Express West Midlands said the controversial move was to preserve the ‘safety and wellbeing’ of staff and passengers.

Upset over the Pride bus decision

A source alleged that a number of drivers at the company ‘have been in uproar as it feels like the haters are being allowed to win,’ The Sun reports.

While they accepted that ‘safety comes first,’ the source added they can’t believe ‘anyone would bother having such a problem with the bus livery.’

National Express West Midlands told Metro.co.uk it did so ‘in line with policy’ after it received the ‘specific threats.’

While the company declined to give further details about the nature of the threat, the decision to axe one of the routes was made following a ‘risk assessment.’

A spokesperson said: ‘We proudly serve and celebrate our diverse colleagues, customers and communities across Birmingham and our Pride bus continues to run throughout the West Midlands.

‘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.’

Birmingham Pride celebrated the launch of the bus in 2019 ahead of the parade.

This year, the city held Pride on May 24 and 25, with the bus taking part in the festivities.

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