One-way ticket to police station

A bus passenger who expected a quiet day's shopping in Pontypool instead found herself driven to a police station and allegedly accused of fraud because she didn't have change for her ticket.

Vivienne Thomas, 58, was travelling from her home in Blaenavon to Pontypool on Saturday on and wanted a £5.50 explorer ticket which would allow her to travel on any Stagecoach bus for a day.

But she only had a ten pound note, and the driver of the 11am number 30 Blaenavon bus didn't have change.



Instead of accepting her offer to get change in Pontypool, Mrs Thomas said the driver accused her of fraud and drove her to Pontypool police station.

The pair went into Pontypool police station, leaving the bus with around ten passengers sat outside waiting, but bemused police officers told them it was a civil matter.

Mrs Thomas said the bus driver then kept her £10 and told her to pick up her change at the Cwmbran depot, before returning to his route. A Stagecoach spokesman said the company will contact Mrs Thomas directly to apologise and will return her change.