Bus Driver Threatens Police Over Special Needs Child’s Noise on Ashdod-Jerusalem Route

A routine bus trip from Ashdod to Jerusalem turned distressing for a 9-year-old special needs child on route 448 last evening, when the bus driver reportedly threatened to call the police due to the child's noise. Witnesses seated near the child and his father said the driver initially asked passengers near the front to stop talking on their phones. After they complied, the driver then demanded the father silence his son, who was calmly speaking with his mother on the phone and later with his father. Despite the father explaining that his son has special needs and cannot be forced into complete silence, the driver persisted and threatened to stop the bus and summon police. This caused the child to become severely anxious and tremble throughout the journey, as described by eyewitnesses.

Passengers expressed shock at the incident, noting the child's visible distress and the father's efforts to reassure him he had done nothing wrong. One passenger described the scene as "shocking," emphasizing the child's fear upon hearing threats involving the police. The episode has raised concerns about the sensitivity required from public transport drivers when interacting with passengers with special needs.

The bus company, Dan BaDarom, responded by citing traffic regulations that prohibit passengers from disturbing the driver, as noise can distract them. They stated the driver is experienced and claimed he was unaware the child had special needs, as no one informed him. The company apologized if the child or father’s feelings were hurt but emphasized the driver’s request was due to difficulty concentrating amid passenger noise.