A man is calling for bus drivers to be allowed to use their discretion after witnessing a young mother left in tears after she was not allowed onto a bus.

Former chartered shipbroker Geoff Dickman, 70, of Essex Road, Maldon, was travelling on the 90 bus from Witham to Maldon around midday last Wednesday when the incident took place.

The bus was carrying two women with prams and after stopping at Fullbridge Tesco, the driver refused to allow a third mother with a buggy to join them on board, despite the fact Mr Dickman says the bus was empty.

Mr Dickman said: “I felt very sorry for her, it was wrong.

“One of the other ladies said drivers sometimes didn’t mind.

“I think they should use their discretion.”

Mr Dickman described the bus as “virtually empty”, saying: “It wouldn’t have been a problem, clearly he wouldn’t let her on, I think it was wrong.

“There’s a big hill coming into town and the 90 buses are only every half an hour.”

Mr Dickman was left distressed by the young mother in tears and wants service provider Stephensons of Essex to reconsider policy on passengers.

He said: “I think they should be using their common sense, if they can only have two prams because there’s not space, she could have put it in the aisle.

“I think the drivers should be given discretion.

“It was very upsetting.

“I’ve never seen this kind of thing happen before.

“Sometimes you just have to bend the rules, but there was a suggestion he might have lost his job if he broke the rules.”

Managing director of Stephensons Bill Hiron said: “The buses have a buggy/wheelchair bay near the front.

“The first priority is wheelchairs, assuming there are no wheelchairs, then there is space for buggies.

“This is the only place suitable for them, they aren’t allowed to block the gangways because it would be dangerous.

“If there are more than will fit in the designated space, then yes, it’s right for the driver to refuse them.

“Anywhere else would block the gangway, which is a strict no.”