A driver who kicked passengers off a bus telling them he "didn't have a lunch break" was simply following rules, Transport for London said today.
According to reports, the bus driver pulled the Number 91 over in Hornsey, north London, after setting off on the route from Trafalgar Square to Tottenham.
Passengers groaned after they were told to file off the bus yesterday because the service was terminating.
When the driver was asked by what was happening he is said to have replied: "I didn't have a lunch break, what am I supposed to do lady?"
A woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told ITV London: "We stopped in Hornsey and everyone was surprised because there was still a couple of stops to go. The tannoy came over saying this message terminates here. It was met with a chorus of groans before everyone started getting off the bus.
"Me and one other woman went and asked and he said: 'I didn't have a lunch break, what am I supposed to do lady?'
"I just thought it was ridiculous. I didn't have a lunch break but then at the same time it's not his fault. The company needs to organise the rotas to ensure he gets a break."
But TfL said the man was merely complying with rules on how long drivers can keep going without taking a break.
Head of Bus Operations Ken Davidson said: “We apologise for any inconvenience experienced by passengers on the 91 bus yesterday that had to terminate in Hornsey.
"Buses are taken out of service for a variety of reasons and in this case, the driver could have provided a better explanation to passenger for the early termination of the service. We are speaking with Metroline, the operator of the route 91 bus, about this.”
