A Seattle bus driver told two blind passengers they had to get off the bus because it was full, leading to a public apology from the King County Metro, Fox 13 reported Tuesday.
The passengers said they were humiliated and discriminated against during the incident and they want bus drivers to be better trained in how to deal with disabled customers.
The bus driver told the couple that the section dedicated to disabled riders was full and they would have to get off and wait for another bus.
Riders are not required to sit in any certain section of the bus on the Seattle Metro.
"We were totally just discriminated against and made to feel really uncomfortable and unwelcome on a bus," said passenger Cindy Bennett, who was told with her partner to get off the bus.
"Blatant discrimination and it was just really uncomfortable," said her partner, Mike Mello.
In a statement, Jeff Switzer, a spokesman for Metro Transit, said what happened was unacceptable and the company apologized, KOMO News reported.
"Blind passengers are not required to use the ADA priority seating area. We've identified the operator and his chief will be working with him on this issue and will take appropriate action," he said.
Bennet and Mello said they hope the mistake never happens again.
"It's not OK for their drivers to treat passengers whether we're blind, sighted, or have any other disability in this manner," said Mello, "It's just not acceptable."
