A furious passenger has hit out against “rude” inspectors who he says made him get off a city bus despite him buying a ticket.

Arthur Maskell, who lives at the top of Ketts Hill, claims he was thrown off a First Bus 23/24 last month after a run-in with the two ticket inspectors.

It comes as other passengers said that men dressed all in black have been heavy handed and rude when inspecting tickets.

Arthur, 31, said: "I was going about my day heading into the city centre at about 9.20am when two ticket officers stopped my bus without warning and stormed on.

"As I had discarded my ticket, out of habit like many others, they issued me a standard fare charge of £50 despite having paid.

"I was escorted off the bus which promptly drove off, leaving me and another person stranded in Prince of Wales Road.

Arthur Maskell was forced to pay a £50 charge after discarding his ticket while on a First BusArthur Maskell was forced to pay a £50 charge after discarding his ticket while on a First Bus (Image: Arthur Maskell)

"I was also asked to provide personal details that I wasn't comfortable giving and was actually threatened with legal action by a debt collection agency, or court action. 

"During this time the inspectors were abrasive, rude and had absolutely no empathy."

The incident comes after a number of passengers reported being intimidated and threatened by the inspectors around the city.

Arthur added: "The way they conduct themselves with threatening and unsympathetic behaviour, is appalling.

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"It's an absolute disgrace that this is the kind of experience the public is receiving from a public service.

Arthur Maskell said that two ticket inspectors stormed on to the busArthur Maskell said that two ticket inspectors stormed on to the bus (Image: Arthur Maskell)

"I'm absolutely furious."

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This newspaper contacted First Bus on the matter, which reiterated its stance on its recent practice, saying: "It's the revenue protection officers' job to ensure that passengers are travelling with a valid, correctly issued ticket and that it is retained for the duration of the journey.

"If a passenger is travelling without a ticket, then they are at risk of receiving a standard fare charge.

"We are taking all reports of issues relating to revenue protection officers seriously and are taking on board customer feedback.

"An example of this is that we are increasing the visibility of signage that informs passengers to retain tickets for the duration of the journey."

Arthur said he was thrown off the 23/24 First Bus and stranded in Prince of WalesArthur said he was thrown off the 23/24 First Bus and stranded in Prince of Wales (Image: Creative Commons)