Bus drivers in Redbridge are being sent on training courses to learn how to brake and accelerate more gently.

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman announced the re-education programme after Redbridge councillors raised concerns about the quality of driving in the borough at an external scrutiny meeting.

Councillor Khayer Chowdhury expressed resident’s experiences as well as sharing his own encounters on the 123 and 179.

“I feel like I have inadvertently entered a bus race,” he said.

“I like speed don’t get me wrong but it can feel a bit scary (travelling on the bus) even for someone like me.”

Councillor Joyce Ryan said the elderly, disabled and pram pushers are especially vulnerable and drivers often move before passengers have sat down.

“Every time the bus stops you have a massive brake and you will be skedaddled down the bus,” she said.

“They send you flying.”

A TfL spokeswoman said the issue is well known to them.

“We are acutely aware that this is a pain point for customers,” she said.

“You board the bus and the driver hits the gas.

“We have put on a training course about customer service and we are instructing driver to be more vigilant and look for people who need more time.”