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suzyscottdotcom) wrote2009-11-03 03:33 pm
suzyscottdotcom) wrote2009-11-03 03:33 pm
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Houdini gets his bus pass...
Story from Cambridge Evening News...
Michael Burdette-Deakin is celebrating after bus firm Stagecoach lifted a ban on him taking his parrot Houdini on trips to Cambridge, perched on his shoulder.
They have regularly travelled on the buses during the eight years they have spent together, bringing smiles to passengers.
But the bird - a rare yellowbacked chattering lory - was then banned by Stagecoach from boarding their buses.
The move came after fears the bird - which can say: "I love my darling" - may distract bus drivers.
But Michael, 49, refused to put the 14-year-old bird behind bars and the News carried a story about his plight.
Now understanding bus company bosses have overturned the ban - as long as Houdini is harnessed.
Michael, who lives in Newmarket, said: "He wasn't causing any problems. The passengers and drivers didn't mind, it was just the bus company bosses.
"They even wanted to send two inspectors to my home to check out the harness.
"I told them to go fly and I met the inspectors at the bus station."
And there's even more good news for Houdini. Michael said: "I had to clip his wings so that we could go on the bus, but now he'll be able to fly again because I can let them grow." The bird-lover, who also has a macaw, is registered disabled due to a degenerative spinal condition.
Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach Cambridgeshire, said in a letter to Michael: "I agree with the inspectors' assessment that the bird can travel wearing the harness as long as it is kept under control, this is still at the drivers' discretion.
"Providing there are no problems in the future this should conclude the matter. I reserve the right to review the situation if we receive complaints from other customers."
Houdini gets his bus pass
WHO'S a lucky boy then?Michael Burdette-Deakin is celebrating after bus firm Stagecoach lifted a ban on him taking his parrot Houdini on trips to Cambridge, perched on his shoulder.
They have regularly travelled on the buses during the eight years they have spent together, bringing smiles to passengers.
But the bird - a rare yellowbacked chattering lory - was then banned by Stagecoach from boarding their buses.
The move came after fears the bird - which can say: "I love my darling" - may distract bus drivers.
But Michael, 49, refused to put the 14-year-old bird behind bars and the News carried a story about his plight.
Now understanding bus company bosses have overturned the ban - as long as Houdini is harnessed.
Michael, who lives in Newmarket, said: "He wasn't causing any problems. The passengers and drivers didn't mind, it was just the bus company bosses.
"They even wanted to send two inspectors to my home to check out the harness.
"I told them to go fly and I met the inspectors at the bus station."
And there's even more good news for Houdini. Michael said: "I had to clip his wings so that we could go on the bus, but now he'll be able to fly again because I can let them grow." The bird-lover, who also has a macaw, is registered disabled due to a degenerative spinal condition.
Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach Cambridgeshire, said in a letter to Michael: "I agree with the inspectors' assessment that the bird can travel wearing the harness as long as it is kept under control, this is still at the drivers' discretion.
"Providing there are no problems in the future this should conclude the matter. I reserve the right to review the situation if we receive complaints from other customers."