When I first started this blog my intention was to share the funny stories, rant a little bit and get everything off my chest that way I wasn't a bundle of nerves every single night. Lately, I've been doing more ranting than anything. Sure, I needed to do it but it doesn't make very entertaining reading nor does it portray me in the best light. I really do love my job. Sure, it can get stressful at times, and yes it can be dangerous but I do it for a reason. It's something that I'm good at, but more importantly, it makes me immensely happy.
It's the people that make my job, you guys, the ones that take the bus daily (or when your car is in the shop). In our society we are naturally apt to complain about everything. When one has a bad customer service experience, they'll tell ten people about it. Whereas when one has a positive experience, they'll usually only tell about one person. Which is one of the reasons I'm so thankful that most people compliment me rather than insult me. Now it's time to write about some of those people. They deserve the recognition.
The people that stop and wait for those getting off the bus before attempting to get on. The ones that have their fares ready before they get on the bus. The ones that say thank you as they get off. The ones that give up their seats for those who needs them more. The ones that stand up for me when someone is yelling at me. The ones that have thrown themselves in front of me so I wouldn't get punched. The ones that obey traffic lights and don't run in front of my bus. The ones that tell me they need a minute to find their fare card/change, move to the side to let others on and then show me their pass, or pay even if I've already forgotten about them. The cars that yield to me when I'm trying to pull out of a bus stop. The ones who don't yell at me or demand an explanation when the bus is late. The ones that don't grumble when my bus breaks down and they need to wait half an hour for the next one. The ones who helped dig my bus out of the snow when it broke down. The ones that don't assault me or treat me like a sex object. The security and police who'll just pop in to check on me. The ones that can't afford to pay the fare but ask nicely if I'll give them a free ride and say please. The ones who don't laugh at me when my poles come off the wire. The ones that allow me to take my breaks in peace without badgering me with questions about when the bus will leave. The ones that understand that I'm only human and occasionally I'll miss a stop or make a mistake. The friends (and occasional strangers) who bring me coffee, food and flowers. The ones that understand that shit happens and occasionally I'm re-routed with no explanation. The ones that have to wait 30 minutes in sweltering heat (only to get onto a non air-conditioned bus) or in the coldest weather and don't complain.
Thank you. You all are awesome and you make my job fantastic.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
I'm not as dumb as you think I am
Here's the scenario. A young kid and his buddy get on the bus. One flashes me his bus pass, while the other flashes me his library card.
I saw, I just didn't give a rats ass.
As these kids are walking to the back of the bus, I can overhear their conversation.
Kid 1: I can't believe that worked.
Kid 2: I know. I thought they never looked at the passes and now I know, I can travel on transit with a library card.
Me (over the P.A.): Actually, you didn't get away with it. I saw that you had a library card. I just didn't care. But since you're bragging about it, you can now come up to the front of the bus and pay your fare. If not, I'll call security to kick you off. Oh, and thank you for traveling with transit today.
He paid and the whole bus laughed at him. Maybe, he'll have learned his lesson? I doubt it.
I saw, I just didn't give a rats ass.
As these kids are walking to the back of the bus, I can overhear their conversation.
Kid 1: I can't believe that worked.
Kid 2: I know. I thought they never looked at the passes and now I know, I can travel on transit with a library card.
Me (over the P.A.): Actually, you didn't get away with it. I saw that you had a library card. I just didn't care. But since you're bragging about it, you can now come up to the front of the bus and pay your fare. If not, I'll call security to kick you off. Oh, and thank you for traveling with transit today.
He paid and the whole bus laughed at him. Maybe, he'll have learned his lesson? I doubt it.
Apparently, it's not all common sense. Read this and learn to not be an asshole.
First of all, I'd like to address the rear doors. Like most rear doors, these are exit only. No entrance permitted. Get that through your heads.
Another thing about the rear doors is that they're motion activated. So standing with your hand on the door isn't going to open them. Yelling at me either isn't going to open them. Take a step back and wave your hand in front of the sensor. Then they'll open.
And while we're on the topic of rear doors, I'm going to share a little secret with you. The doors shut automatically (that means I'm not pulling the trigger to shut them) after three seconds. Don't start freaking out when the doors are closing on you. Look up, the light is on (which means the doors are activated), and just wave your hand in front of the sensor or hit the bars (in the older buses). And when the doors have closed right in your face, don't glare at the bus driver assuming they did it on purpose. Just hit the doors and they'll re-open. We have mirrors, I can tell when people want off the bus. Oh and if you ever utter the words "Back door bitch", I will lock the doors on you and make you wait till the next stop. Your fault for being stupid.
All of the buses in the systems ONLY take coins. That means that we'll accept 250 pennies but if you try to shove a $20 bill into my fare box it's going to jam, and I'll be mad. There are signs stating that we don't take bills, I will also tell you in advance that we don't take bills. Once you ignore me and those signs, you're on your own.
During the summer period, and especially on certain routes it tends to get a little bit busy. When the driver says move to the back of the bus, it means move to the back. No, not the back doors but all the way to the back. I don't like leaving people behind and I'll try to cram as many people on the bus as possible.
On that subject. Sometimes the buses get full and they can't stop and pick you up. I know, it's frustrating but try to be patient. If you go up to the bus and start yelling at the driver they're less inclined to give you the two seats they have left on the bus.
Also when the bus is late, standing in the doorway telling me about how late the buses all are, while you're blocking others from getting on the bus is only making me more late. I have feelings, I don't enjoy being yelled at. Call customer service they're the ones that have control over the routes.
Oh, and some of the diesel buses have engine retarders in them, to assist with braking. Some of the retards work better than others. I had a bus once where every time I took my foot off the throttle, it felt like I was slamming on the brakes. I kept explaining the problem. Don't roll your eyes at me and say I need to go back to the kitchen where I belong. I set things on fire in the kitchen. I'm far worse as a domestic than a driver. When I have a good bus, I've never once had a single complaint on my driving skills. The fact that I'm explaining all of this to you instead of just driving like a maniac shows that I'm a professional. Yes, some times it's the driver but some times it's the bus.
Enough ranting for one night. I'll whine more tomorrow. Hopefully you guys have learned a little bit about driving/being on a bus and maybe tomorrow you won't complain so much.
Another thing about the rear doors is that they're motion activated. So standing with your hand on the door isn't going to open them. Yelling at me either isn't going to open them. Take a step back and wave your hand in front of the sensor. Then they'll open.
And while we're on the topic of rear doors, I'm going to share a little secret with you. The doors shut automatically (that means I'm not pulling the trigger to shut them) after three seconds. Don't start freaking out when the doors are closing on you. Look up, the light is on (which means the doors are activated), and just wave your hand in front of the sensor or hit the bars (in the older buses). And when the doors have closed right in your face, don't glare at the bus driver assuming they did it on purpose. Just hit the doors and they'll re-open. We have mirrors, I can tell when people want off the bus. Oh and if you ever utter the words "Back door bitch", I will lock the doors on you and make you wait till the next stop. Your fault for being stupid.
All of the buses in the systems ONLY take coins. That means that we'll accept 250 pennies but if you try to shove a $20 bill into my fare box it's going to jam, and I'll be mad. There are signs stating that we don't take bills, I will also tell you in advance that we don't take bills. Once you ignore me and those signs, you're on your own.
During the summer period, and especially on certain routes it tends to get a little bit busy. When the driver says move to the back of the bus, it means move to the back. No, not the back doors but all the way to the back. I don't like leaving people behind and I'll try to cram as many people on the bus as possible.
On that subject. Sometimes the buses get full and they can't stop and pick you up. I know, it's frustrating but try to be patient. If you go up to the bus and start yelling at the driver they're less inclined to give you the two seats they have left on the bus.
Also when the bus is late, standing in the doorway telling me about how late the buses all are, while you're blocking others from getting on the bus is only making me more late. I have feelings, I don't enjoy being yelled at. Call customer service they're the ones that have control over the routes.
Oh, and some of the diesel buses have engine retarders in them, to assist with braking. Some of the retards work better than others. I had a bus once where every time I took my foot off the throttle, it felt like I was slamming on the brakes. I kept explaining the problem. Don't roll your eyes at me and say I need to go back to the kitchen where I belong. I set things on fire in the kitchen. I'm far worse as a domestic than a driver. When I have a good bus, I've never once had a single complaint on my driving skills. The fact that I'm explaining all of this to you instead of just driving like a maniac shows that I'm a professional. Yes, some times it's the driver but some times it's the bus.
Enough ranting for one night. I'll whine more tomorrow. Hopefully you guys have learned a little bit about driving/being on a bus and maybe tomorrow you won't complain so much.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Shut up! I'm Charlie Browning it.
Today, I stopped and picked up one of my regulars.
Guy: Weren't you wearing that yesterday?
Me: Ummm, it's a uniform. I have about thirty versions of this exact outfit.
Guy: Oh, yeah, I guess that makes sense. I was just thinking you stayed overnight somewhere and didn't have a change of clothes.
Me:??????
Guy: Weren't you wearing that yesterday?
Me: Ummm, it's a uniform. I have about thirty versions of this exact outfit.
Guy: Oh, yeah, I guess that makes sense. I was just thinking you stayed overnight somewhere and didn't have a change of clothes.
Me:??????
Sleeping beauty...a bus driver's version.
At my very first stop, I come across a homeless man with a bike asking for a free ride. I allow him on the bus and then hit the "fare not paid" button.
Man: Did you just call security?
Me: No! I was just checking my messages (better to say that, than the fact that I informed control of a passenger who didn't pay. It's only used for statistical information, but that's too much explaining for my liking).
Man: You had better not be lying to me...or, I'm going to do some damage to you.
Me: I was just seeing if there were any re-routes, I needed to be aware of.
Man: Fucking, young people who are on a power trip just because they drive a bus.
Me: Why don't you take a seat, I need to start driving.
Man: Fuck you!
About an hour later, I notice that my bus is empty but the man's bike is still on my bike rack. Oh well, he probably forgot it. No big deal. Once I get to my terminus, I walk to the back of the bus to check for lost property. Hunched over in the very rear seats is the homeless man, fast asleep. "Sir, you need to wake up now! SIR! END OF THE LINE! GET OFF MY BUS!!" I say. Then I notice he has headphones in his ears. I check to make sure he's still breathing and then get back in the drivers seat. I pull the bus up a few feet and slam on the brakes, causing the man to slide into the seat in front of him. He still didn't wake up.
I turn up the volume of the P.A. system, in the hopes that he'll wake up when the bus loudly announces his, or any stop for that matter. As I'm driving along, I get passengers constantly coming up to the front of the bus, telling me that I've got a dead guy in the back. I continue telling them that, he's just sleeping and he'll probably wake up eventually. By the time, I've finished my second run, the man has been out cold for over three hours.
I get out of the bus, light a smoke, and start telling the story to another driver. He starts laughing hysterically, as the best part of the story is that when the man finally wakes up, another driver will be operating the bus. I only wish, I could witness his look of confusion when that happens. Glancing over, I notice that my relief has shown up. I tell him about the sleeper on the bus. "Well, did you call security?" he asks. "No. There was no danger, and he'll wake up eventually." I reply. "What?!?!? What if he's dead? That's so irresponsible!" he yells. "I checked, he's still breathing. He was yelling and swearing at me and he didn't pay...you get the service you pay for." I respond.
Then I walked away, feeling him glaring at my back.
Man: Did you just call security?
Me: No! I was just checking my messages (better to say that, than the fact that I informed control of a passenger who didn't pay. It's only used for statistical information, but that's too much explaining for my liking).
Man: You had better not be lying to me...or, I'm going to do some damage to you.
Me: I was just seeing if there were any re-routes, I needed to be aware of.
Man: Fucking, young people who are on a power trip just because they drive a bus.
Me: Why don't you take a seat, I need to start driving.
Man: Fuck you!
About an hour later, I notice that my bus is empty but the man's bike is still on my bike rack. Oh well, he probably forgot it. No big deal. Once I get to my terminus, I walk to the back of the bus to check for lost property. Hunched over in the very rear seats is the homeless man, fast asleep. "Sir, you need to wake up now! SIR! END OF THE LINE! GET OFF MY BUS!!" I say. Then I notice he has headphones in his ears. I check to make sure he's still breathing and then get back in the drivers seat. I pull the bus up a few feet and slam on the brakes, causing the man to slide into the seat in front of him. He still didn't wake up.
I turn up the volume of the P.A. system, in the hopes that he'll wake up when the bus loudly announces his, or any stop for that matter. As I'm driving along, I get passengers constantly coming up to the front of the bus, telling me that I've got a dead guy in the back. I continue telling them that, he's just sleeping and he'll probably wake up eventually. By the time, I've finished my second run, the man has been out cold for over three hours.
I get out of the bus, light a smoke, and start telling the story to another driver. He starts laughing hysterically, as the best part of the story is that when the man finally wakes up, another driver will be operating the bus. I only wish, I could witness his look of confusion when that happens. Glancing over, I notice that my relief has shown up. I tell him about the sleeper on the bus. "Well, did you call security?" he asks. "No. There was no danger, and he'll wake up eventually." I reply. "What?!?!? What if he's dead? That's so irresponsible!" he yells. "I checked, he's still breathing. He was yelling and swearing at me and he didn't pay...you get the service you pay for." I respond.
Then I walked away, feeling him glaring at my back.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
I consider this a normal day at work.
It was raining. No big surprise since it's november and it usually rains on a daily basis. At one stop I have a woman with a walker and another woman with a broken leg on crutches get on the bus. Naturally I wait until they're seated before I move the bus. As for everyone else, I advise them to hold on and usually will start driving while they're still standing. We really don't have the time to wait for everyone to take a seat before we start moving. If you're handicapped or elderly or request we wait, then we will.
At the next stop a man gets on the bus. I tell him to hold on before starting to pull away from the curb. Two seconds later I hear the squeak of his shoe (a fuckin' croc. Those should only be worn in the garden!!!) against a wet leaf. He ended up flying backwards and hitting his head so hard that I thought he had cracked his skull at the very least. I immediately stop the bus, help him up and ask if he's okay. Being more embarressed than anything, the man tells me that he's fine and it's his fault for wearing the wrong footware. I take his name and information just in case. As I get back into my seat to start driving again, the old woman with the walker pipes up "Why didn't you wait for him to sit down? You knew the bus was slippery?" And then another passenger chimed in with the same sort of sentiment....and another and another. I ignored them. It was an unfortunate situation but most people are aware that the bus will move so they hold on to something. I also warn them to hold on if I see they're just standing there when I'm about to take off.
About half an hour later, I'm driving down main st. I'm doing about 40kms approaching an intersection that has a green light for me. A car in the oncoming turn lane decides that it would be a good idea to make a left hand turn in front of a 10 ton bus going close to the speed limit on a wet, slippery fall day. I yell "HOLD ON" and hit the brakes so hard that the antilocks kick in. The back end is fishtailing across two lanes, I'm terrrified that I'm going to end up completely totatlling this car. I end up just missing this guy's rear bumper with less than an inch to spare. All of my passengers congratulate me on avoiding an accident.
It's funny being a professional driver. Being on the road all the time, I have developed this sixth sense as to when and where accidents will occur. So even though a car may be stationary, I can amake a reasonable guess as to what he's going to do and where I'll need to be to avoid the accident.
On my second to last run of the evening this extremely drunk man gets on the bus. He sits in the front seat and immediately urinates himself. Now to be honest this has happened more often than I'd like it to. If you can't control your bladder when you're drinking, wear an adult diaper to the bar!
The smell is so bad that most of the passengers have moved to the back of the bus while I have the fans on high speed and am driving with my head out the window. A few stops later a little old woman gets on and sits right next to the man who pissed himself. I notice her take out a lace hankerchief and cover her mouth and nose with it. At the next stop I tell her that I'll wait, if she wants to move seats. She says that she's okay and only has another couple of blocks to go. Once we finally reach the terminus people start flying off my bus like rats abandoning ship! Stinky gets off as well.
Immediately I call control and request for a supervisor to clean up the mess.
Control: Can you carry on?
Me: No! Someone urinated on the seat. I don't want another passenger sitting on it.
Control:Well is there a lot of fluid on the seat or just a bit?
Me: I don't know, I threw a newspaper over it.
Control: Alright, we'll send a supervisor.
Ten minutes later my phone rings.
Control: Uhhh. Are the seats cloth?
Me: It's a trolley, all of the trolley seats are cloth. So YES!
Control: Well a supervisor can't properly clean that up....
Me: So?????
Control: We're cancelling your run. You only have one left. Go not in service back to the garage..
Me: Thank you have a good night!
And I was off an hour early!! I did have to drive a stinky bus for close to an hour though but then again, I was off an hour early!!!
At the next stop a man gets on the bus. I tell him to hold on before starting to pull away from the curb. Two seconds later I hear the squeak of his shoe (a fuckin' croc. Those should only be worn in the garden!!!) against a wet leaf. He ended up flying backwards and hitting his head so hard that I thought he had cracked his skull at the very least. I immediately stop the bus, help him up and ask if he's okay. Being more embarressed than anything, the man tells me that he's fine and it's his fault for wearing the wrong footware. I take his name and information just in case. As I get back into my seat to start driving again, the old woman with the walker pipes up "Why didn't you wait for him to sit down? You knew the bus was slippery?" And then another passenger chimed in with the same sort of sentiment....and another and another. I ignored them. It was an unfortunate situation but most people are aware that the bus will move so they hold on to something. I also warn them to hold on if I see they're just standing there when I'm about to take off.
About half an hour later, I'm driving down main st. I'm doing about 40kms approaching an intersection that has a green light for me. A car in the oncoming turn lane decides that it would be a good idea to make a left hand turn in front of a 10 ton bus going close to the speed limit on a wet, slippery fall day. I yell "HOLD ON" and hit the brakes so hard that the antilocks kick in. The back end is fishtailing across two lanes, I'm terrrified that I'm going to end up completely totatlling this car. I end up just missing this guy's rear bumper with less than an inch to spare. All of my passengers congratulate me on avoiding an accident.
It's funny being a professional driver. Being on the road all the time, I have developed this sixth sense as to when and where accidents will occur. So even though a car may be stationary, I can amake a reasonable guess as to what he's going to do and where I'll need to be to avoid the accident.
On my second to last run of the evening this extremely drunk man gets on the bus. He sits in the front seat and immediately urinates himself. Now to be honest this has happened more often than I'd like it to. If you can't control your bladder when you're drinking, wear an adult diaper to the bar!
The smell is so bad that most of the passengers have moved to the back of the bus while I have the fans on high speed and am driving with my head out the window. A few stops later a little old woman gets on and sits right next to the man who pissed himself. I notice her take out a lace hankerchief and cover her mouth and nose with it. At the next stop I tell her that I'll wait, if she wants to move seats. She says that she's okay and only has another couple of blocks to go. Once we finally reach the terminus people start flying off my bus like rats abandoning ship! Stinky gets off as well.
Immediately I call control and request for a supervisor to clean up the mess.
Control: Can you carry on?
Me: No! Someone urinated on the seat. I don't want another passenger sitting on it.
Control:Well is there a lot of fluid on the seat or just a bit?
Me: I don't know, I threw a newspaper over it.
Control: Alright, we'll send a supervisor.
Ten minutes later my phone rings.
Control: Uhhh. Are the seats cloth?
Me: It's a trolley, all of the trolley seats are cloth. So YES!
Control: Well a supervisor can't properly clean that up....
Me: So?????
Control: We're cancelling your run. You only have one left. Go not in service back to the garage..
Me: Thank you have a good night!
And I was off an hour early!! I did have to drive a stinky bus for close to an hour though but then again, I was off an hour early!!!
Domo arigato Mr. Roboto
It was a clear blue sky. The air was crisp and clean. Birds were whistling in the trees while squirrels romped merrily about the city. At my first stop, time seems to slow down. Heads turn, everyone's watching her. It was almost like we were in a commercial. At almost six feet tall, her golden blonde hair reflects the sunlight. Wearing a light silk kimono, she shows me her bus pass and give me a formal bow. All eyes are still on her. The men want her and the women want to be her. She looks like a model, tall, slim with curves in all the right places. WAIT A SECOND! Time resumes it's normal speed, the sappy commercial music dies out. That curve doesn't belong in her neck.
Good for you girl! It took me about two minutes before I noticed the adam's apple.
Good for you girl! It took me about two minutes before I noticed the adam's apple.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Keep it in your pants, you might produce stupid children
As I'm sure all of you are aware that I get yelled at quite a bit while at work. Since I don't particularly enjoy being scolded, I try to do everything in my power to avoid being the subject of people's finger pointing accusations. Right now I drive a route that essentially loops around the downtown core. One way I'm the 666 and in the other direction I'm the 665, which happens to take a slightly different route than the previous.
Starting out as a 666, I loaded up my bus and proceeded to turn left instead of going straight like the 665 does. One man comes up to the front of the bus and starts yelling "Why the hell are you turning down Main st.? You're a 665! You're supposed to go straight!" "Actually sir, I'm a 666 and the 666 turns down Main" I calmly reply. "YOU CHANGED THE SIGN!!!" he shrieks. "No, I actually don't touch the sign. The bus changes it automatically for me. I started out as a 666 and haven't changed since" I say. "I've been reading for 35 years (He was close to 70...maybe a late bloomer?) and I know what I saw! Your parents made a mistake when they decided to have sex and create YOU! Tell them I said that! You're a waste of space. You're taking up all the oxygen that should be reserved for the intelligent people of this planet!" he tells me.
I already get yelled at enough as it is. Why would I change the sign halfway through my route? I'm not some sort of masochist.
I just called my parents and informed them of this man's opinion. All my dad did was laugh hysterically. Ha! My parents don't think I'm a waste of space!!!
Starting out as a 666, I loaded up my bus and proceeded to turn left instead of going straight like the 665 does. One man comes up to the front of the bus and starts yelling "Why the hell are you turning down Main st.? You're a 665! You're supposed to go straight!" "Actually sir, I'm a 666 and the 666 turns down Main" I calmly reply. "YOU CHANGED THE SIGN!!!" he shrieks. "No, I actually don't touch the sign. The bus changes it automatically for me. I started out as a 666 and haven't changed since" I say. "I've been reading for 35 years (He was close to 70...maybe a late bloomer?) and I know what I saw! Your parents made a mistake when they decided to have sex and create YOU! Tell them I said that! You're a waste of space. You're taking up all the oxygen that should be reserved for the intelligent people of this planet!" he tells me.
I already get yelled at enough as it is. Why would I change the sign halfway through my route? I'm not some sort of masochist.
I just called my parents and informed them of this man's opinion. All my dad did was laugh hysterically. Ha! My parents don't think I'm a waste of space!!!
A novel idea
You know how you're in the end of a line of people waiting to board a bus? I have a rather simple idea as to how to make that line up speedier. Now I know what you're all thinking: a faster line, yes please, I hate waiting so much that it makes me grumpy and then I have to take it out on the bus driver. Well, folks not to worry, I've come up with a simple solution that only requires a little bit of passenger participation.
HAVE YOUR FUCKIN' BUS FARE OUT BY THE TIME THE BUS HAS ARRIVED!!!!!
It seems that even if people have been waiting for some time for the bus to show up, they still are unprepared to board. They'll wait till they're actually on the bus, blocking people (that already have their fare ready) from getting on behind them while they dig through their bags in search of those elusive pennies. I know that this seems like work but in reality, it's really not. Think about it. By preparing your fare ahead of time, you have more space to move, no other people pushing you aside, and you also aren't under so much pressure. If everyone were prepared then I could load people on the bus in half the time and would also probably end up not being so behind schedule.
So what do you think? Is it possible? Would you guys, maybe, be interested in getting on the bus faster?
HAVE YOUR FUCKIN' BUS FARE OUT BY THE TIME THE BUS HAS ARRIVED!!!!!
It seems that even if people have been waiting for some time for the bus to show up, they still are unprepared to board. They'll wait till they're actually on the bus, blocking people (that already have their fare ready) from getting on behind them while they dig through their bags in search of those elusive pennies. I know that this seems like work but in reality, it's really not. Think about it. By preparing your fare ahead of time, you have more space to move, no other people pushing you aside, and you also aren't under so much pressure. If everyone were prepared then I could load people on the bus in half the time and would also probably end up not being so behind schedule.
So what do you think? Is it possible? Would you guys, maybe, be interested in getting on the bus faster?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Two words you never want to hear your girlfriend say....
I'm late.
It happens. There are a variety of reasons as to why this may happen. Traffic. Mechanical failure. Injured/sick passenger. Emergency/having to call 911. Accidents.
So please, for the love of mike, the next time the bus is late don't yell at the operator. It's usually not their fault. We have feelings too!
It happens. There are a variety of reasons as to why this may happen. Traffic. Mechanical failure. Injured/sick passenger. Emergency/having to call 911. Accidents.
So please, for the love of mike, the next time the bus is late don't yell at the operator. It's usually not their fault. We have feelings too!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
I'm with stupid
I was stopped at a bus stop downtown. My doors were open and I was loading passengers. A woman comes up to the front of the bus.
Woman: Do you stop here?
Me: Umm. Yeah. This is a bus stop which is why I have my doors open and am letting people on the bus.
Woman: So I can get off here?
Me: Yes, you can.
Woman: Okay, thanks. I just wanted to be sure.
The stop after that isn't for another two and a half blocks. As I start through the intersection, I hear the next stop chime. Not even two seconds later, I hear the buzzing sound which indicates someone is trying to open the rear doors. I look in my mirror and see a man trying to get off the back of the bus. Another passenger informs him that the doors won't open while the bus is moving. The next intersection, I'm stopped at a red light. Once again the man tried to activate the back doors. The passenger behind him tells him that the doors won't open until the green light is on and we're only stopped at a red light not the actual bus stop. At the next intersection, I'm once again stopped at another red light. Guess what? The man tried to open the doors again. I get on the PA and say "Would you mind waiting until we get to the stop? We're at a red light here, I can't let you off the bus." Once we pull into the stop, I activate the doors and no one gets off. "Sir, this is the stop." I say. Dead silence. I flip the switch to actually open the rear doors so they'll be wide open without having to push the bar to open them. He still doesn't get off the bus. "Where do you need to go?" I ask the man. "Oh, I don't want this stop. I was just checking to see if I could get off the bus when it wasn't at a stop." he replies. AARRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On my next trip a man comes up and asks me how far down the street I go. "I only go as far as Main st." I reply. "Well how far down is that?" he asks. "About 10-15 blocks" I reply. "How many blocks?" he asks in a patrionizingly slow voice (as if you were talking to a deaf child!) "About 10-15 blocks" I reply in the same kind of voice. About 10-15 blocks later, I announce that this is my last stop before I turn around. The man comes back up to the front of the bus and remarks "I only wanted to know how many blocks we had to go. Why didn't you tell me?" "Sir, I previously said 10-15 blocks. I didn't know the exact number. I'm sorry." I say. "Bitch! You don't need to be so rude!" he says.
On my return trip, I see a firetruck and an ambulance in the last bus stop on the street before I turn the corner. Since someone rang the bell, I get on the PA and announce that I'll be unable to pull into the bus stop so I'll be stopping half a block before the stop. Most everyone gets off the bus which is unusual, as most people tend to wait until I'm around the corner. A man who had gotten off the bus comes to the front doors and asks how to get down the street that I will be turning on. I tell him to hop on my bus because that's where I'm going. He replies "But I thought you couldn't go through because of the emergency vehicles?" "No, I'll be able to pass them, they're only taking up one lane of a four lane road, I just wasn't able to pull into the bus stop." I reply. "You sure you can make it by them?" he asks. "Yes, I'm sure" I confirm. By the time I've turned the corner and pulled into the bus stop most of the passengers who had disembarked at the last stop have walked to my stop. "Why did you kick us all off the bus if you could make it past the firetruck? We had to walk a whole block! You're a liar and a terrible person!" they all yelled in unison. Okay, I may have slightly exagerated that but that was the general gist of it.
I herby declare November 2nd first annual idiot day!
Woman: Do you stop here?
Me: Umm. Yeah. This is a bus stop which is why I have my doors open and am letting people on the bus.
Woman: So I can get off here?
Me: Yes, you can.
Woman: Okay, thanks. I just wanted to be sure.
The stop after that isn't for another two and a half blocks. As I start through the intersection, I hear the next stop chime. Not even two seconds later, I hear the buzzing sound which indicates someone is trying to open the rear doors. I look in my mirror and see a man trying to get off the back of the bus. Another passenger informs him that the doors won't open while the bus is moving. The next intersection, I'm stopped at a red light. Once again the man tried to activate the back doors. The passenger behind him tells him that the doors won't open until the green light is on and we're only stopped at a red light not the actual bus stop. At the next intersection, I'm once again stopped at another red light. Guess what? The man tried to open the doors again. I get on the PA and say "Would you mind waiting until we get to the stop? We're at a red light here, I can't let you off the bus." Once we pull into the stop, I activate the doors and no one gets off. "Sir, this is the stop." I say. Dead silence. I flip the switch to actually open the rear doors so they'll be wide open without having to push the bar to open them. He still doesn't get off the bus. "Where do you need to go?" I ask the man. "Oh, I don't want this stop. I was just checking to see if I could get off the bus when it wasn't at a stop." he replies. AARRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On my next trip a man comes up and asks me how far down the street I go. "I only go as far as Main st." I reply. "Well how far down is that?" he asks. "About 10-15 blocks" I reply. "How many blocks?" he asks in a patrionizingly slow voice (as if you were talking to a deaf child!) "About 10-15 blocks" I reply in the same kind of voice. About 10-15 blocks later, I announce that this is my last stop before I turn around. The man comes back up to the front of the bus and remarks "I only wanted to know how many blocks we had to go. Why didn't you tell me?" "Sir, I previously said 10-15 blocks. I didn't know the exact number. I'm sorry." I say. "Bitch! You don't need to be so rude!" he says.
On my return trip, I see a firetruck and an ambulance in the last bus stop on the street before I turn the corner. Since someone rang the bell, I get on the PA and announce that I'll be unable to pull into the bus stop so I'll be stopping half a block before the stop. Most everyone gets off the bus which is unusual, as most people tend to wait until I'm around the corner. A man who had gotten off the bus comes to the front doors and asks how to get down the street that I will be turning on. I tell him to hop on my bus because that's where I'm going. He replies "But I thought you couldn't go through because of the emergency vehicles?" "No, I'll be able to pass them, they're only taking up one lane of a four lane road, I just wasn't able to pull into the bus stop." I reply. "You sure you can make it by them?" he asks. "Yes, I'm sure" I confirm. By the time I've turned the corner and pulled into the bus stop most of the passengers who had disembarked at the last stop have walked to my stop. "Why did you kick us all off the bus if you could make it past the firetruck? We had to walk a whole block! You're a liar and a terrible person!" they all yelled in unison. Okay, I may have slightly exagerated that but that was the general gist of it.
I herby declare November 2nd first annual idiot day!
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