I knew I always liked the bus, mainly because it was cheap, environmentally friendly transportation (accent on "cheap"), but Saturday I found myself defending the Metrobus system to Mercer, who was ranting about the drivers getting off the bus. Apparently he talked to someone at Metrobus and they're not allowed to do that, but he figures they do because there's no way they can get supervisors to patrol every stop and make sure the driver stays on. I said that's bullshit. The reason the driver gets off the bus is because he or she needs to, and criticizing them for doing so is hypocritical unless you can tell me you have never taken any sort of liberties with a job that weren't necessarily there. That goes for everything from coming in late when you knew your boss wouldn't be there to being logged into MSN on the company computer.
The rebut to my argument was that Metrobus is a public service, and thus, is run for the public, and a driver shouldn't be taking a break to have a smoke if that throws off the schedule and makes a passenger late. I re-rebutted by pointing out that public service or not, the schedule states all times are estimates, and if you need to be somewhere by a certain time you should leave early enough that the driver grabbing a coffee mid route won't make you unforgivably late for wherever you have to be.
The argument went back and forth until a consensus was reached that I was right and Mercer is a wanker. This mostly comes from me being the one telling you the story, and also that the bus was ahead of schedule at the time, so his point is moot.
Now, Saturday night was basically the first time I actually acted on my love of the bus by defending its drivers, but it capped off a long and gradual build up resulting in my loyalty.
It all started just over a year ago, when I first took the bus, and discovered that it does, in fact, kick ass. It's fun. You can kill some time by people watching and taking in the sights of the city while getting where you need to be.
The random people you bump into on the bus also adds to the flavour of the commute. I have met up with old friends on the bus, met up with new friends on the bus and found people I will avoid until the day I die on the bus. The mystery of the people on the bus also adds to the enjoyment. Who are they, where are they going, where are they coming from? All questions that don't get asked, but helps you keep from getting too bored as you wait for your stop.
Last week I even took the bus to a hockey game, which after 45 minutes and a transfer turned out to be cancelled. But at least I got what I think is a funny picture of my gear in the bus shelter at the Avalon Mall.
The point of my rant is simple. You might not like Metrobus, but I do, that is why I do, and also, try to understand that the driver has his or her job to do, and them hopping off the bus for a smoke isn't that big a deal.
For more information on routes and schedules, goto www.metrobus.com, and if all goes well you'll get where you're going, and I'll get a free bus pass out of this.
3 comments:
The bus people scare me!
When I saw the title, I thought it was about some people we played hockey with who also advocate the use of a bus, particulary on Sundays. :)
Just wait until Winter comes - you're up to your knees in snow and you're now late for class because the bus is 10 minutes late and now the Bus Driver decided to stop in at the Irving and have a chat with the Cashier Girl!!! We'll reassess your love for Metrobus on that day, and I am willing to bet your feelings will have changed! I too thought the Metrobus was pretty neat at one time....now I woUld rather be shot than step onto that filthy excuse for a ride!
B :)
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