Bristol, Bath and the West

First staff reunite passenger with nearly £3,000 left on bus

A passenger has thanked helpful First staff after she was reunited with a bag containing nearly £3,000 she had left on the bus.

The passenger had just drawn the cash out of the bank in Westbury-on-Trym and was on her way to pay bills and do her Christmas shopping in Broadmead. She caught the 21 service to go into town but felt ill on the way and decided to go home instead.

She got off the bus near her home but it was only when she reached her front door she realised she no longer had the bag with her. A kind neighbour went to nearby Muller Road bus depot for help while the passenger went to Southmead police station.

Meanwhile, driver Grzegorz Ksiazczyk, 48, had been handed the bag by another passenger. He opened it at the end of his route and realised it was full of money. He handed it straight in at Hengrove bus depot where it was put in the safe until it could be given back.

First Inspector Mark Clouter and Hengrove vehicle allocator Tim Leigh put out calls to drivers and liaised with police. They then rang the neighbour to tell her the bag and cash had been found and confirmed the identity of the passenger before handing the bag back.

The passenger, who has asked to remain anonymous, said, "The staff from First and the police were fantastic. I was sick with worry when I realised I'd left the bag behind and I thought there was every chance I'd never see the money again. But they kept it safe for me at Hengrove bus depot and made sure I got it back, I can't thank them enough.

"I use the bus all the time and all the drivers know me - since this happened they've all been telling me to keep hold of my handbag!"

Grzegorz, who lives in Whitchurch, said, "Another passenger told me a bag had been left behind so I put it to one side. When I opened it I saw there was some money in it, and then I realised it was actually full of cash. I couldnt believe someone could leave that kind of money on a bus. Im just glad we were able to get it back to her, especially at Christmas.

"A couple of days ago I also found a wallet with £120 in it, and last weekend I had to call an ambulance after an elderly passenger collapsed on a Service 75, so its never boring in this job."

First Bristol, Somerset and Avon Managing Director Justin Davies said, "Our staff help reunite passengers with all kinds of lost property every week, from handbags to cuddly toys, and I'm delighted our staff were able to help this lady. This is a huge amount of money to lose at any time of year, but it must have been especially distressing so close to Christmas.

"These staff handled the situation in the professional manner we expect, and helped make Christmas a lot brighter for one of our customers."