So this morning I got on the bus, the little bus, the bus that I wish they wouldn't use on any route! It was packed and there were more people to get on. I really wish the head honchos would have to ride the bus when it's packed. It's worse than a normal size bus when it's packed. With the little bus, you don't even have room to stand. UGH!
THEN to top off my bus travels today I had to run an errand for work. I time these things pretty well. I know what bus I'm catching to leave and I plan ahead and know what bus I'm catching to come back. So transit always says, be at your stop 5 minutes before it should come. Something I always do. I'm forever waiting. I should add up in one month how much time I spend just waiting. Hmmm...I start that tomorrow. SO I am walking out to the bus stop and lo and behold, there it goes. It was 6 minutes early and no one was on the bus. So that means all the people that missed it will be on the next one. AND that usually means that it will be late and packed. Why can't drivers just leave major transit points on time. There's no way he left Square One when he should have to be 6 minutes early. So that throws my schedule off. More waiting. UGH!!!
Next week I plan to take the written test for my beginners. Enough of busing.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Lots of Gripes
So I have two bus stories over the last week and a bit. I don't think any are very good stories and all are going to make me seem that I am never happy. Well what can I say?
Grandma Nasty
So my weekend didn't end up going well with transit so my work week began. Now I take 2 buses to work in the morning. The second bus, I'm not on for long just 7 stops I think. It ends up being less than 10 minutes. Usually, it's not busy until after I get off so there are many empty seats. So this particular morning I had moved back in the bus a bit, had my coffee in my hand, purse in my lap and my bag on the seat next to me. Remember, lots of empty seats so that's why I have my bag on my seat.
An older woman got on the bus, passed numerous empty seats and then decided to sit next to me. She didn't even wait for me to move my bag just went to sit. So I grabbed the bag, slopped coffee on myself and tried to get organized. Now if the bus is full I have no problems with people sitting next to me. None. Now if the bus is mostly empty, why sit next to me?
Anyway, off we go and the woman who passed all those empty seats is now coughing next to me. AND not covering her mouth. She sounds like she could have SARS or something and I'm trying to cover my coffee and decide if I should make my escape. Now she horking....loudly and back to coughing. Cripes why can't people cover their mouths?
Finally I can get away as my stop is next. So I ring the bell, slopping some more coffee as I haven't been drinking any for fear of getting SARS or Bird Flu germs in my drink. I turn to her and say, "Excuse me", and all she does is turn her feet. Umm, ya okay, that's not going to work. I have a bag, purse and a coffee and myself. So now I'm beyond irritated and tell her, " You need to move out of the way", and she gets up and barely moves. I think I may have stepped on her foot but I am beyond caring. Why can't people make life easier on the bus. Hopefully I won't see Grandma Nasty again. I'm moving right away if she sits next to me!
Another Saturday
So this past Saturday I went to visit my parents. I take the Go train back from my sister's in Burlington. I do this all the time. Normally, I catch the bus that takes me home just in the nick of time. I have no clue why Mississauga Transit doesn't try to make it so people can catch buses after getting off the train.
On Saturday I got off the train, tore down the stairs and saw my bus already at the lights. It was 4:35pm. Next bus, 5:07 pm. Nice. So I walked home from the train station. THAT is why people won't take transity and leave their cars at home. THAT is why no one will rather chose the bus over their cars. Of course Transit will shrug it off. As always. Note to self: hurry up and get license NOW!
Grandma Nasty
So my weekend didn't end up going well with transit so my work week began. Now I take 2 buses to work in the morning. The second bus, I'm not on for long just 7 stops I think. It ends up being less than 10 minutes. Usually, it's not busy until after I get off so there are many empty seats. So this particular morning I had moved back in the bus a bit, had my coffee in my hand, purse in my lap and my bag on the seat next to me. Remember, lots of empty seats so that's why I have my bag on my seat.
An older woman got on the bus, passed numerous empty seats and then decided to sit next to me. She didn't even wait for me to move my bag just went to sit. So I grabbed the bag, slopped coffee on myself and tried to get organized. Now if the bus is full I have no problems with people sitting next to me. None. Now if the bus is mostly empty, why sit next to me?
Anyway, off we go and the woman who passed all those empty seats is now coughing next to me. AND not covering her mouth. She sounds like she could have SARS or something and I'm trying to cover my coffee and decide if I should make my escape. Now she horking....loudly and back to coughing. Cripes why can't people cover their mouths?
Finally I can get away as my stop is next. So I ring the bell, slopping some more coffee as I haven't been drinking any for fear of getting SARS or Bird Flu germs in my drink. I turn to her and say, "Excuse me", and all she does is turn her feet. Umm, ya okay, that's not going to work. I have a bag, purse and a coffee and myself. So now I'm beyond irritated and tell her, " You need to move out of the way", and she gets up and barely moves. I think I may have stepped on her foot but I am beyond caring. Why can't people make life easier on the bus. Hopefully I won't see Grandma Nasty again. I'm moving right away if she sits next to me!
Another Saturday
So this past Saturday I went to visit my parents. I take the Go train back from my sister's in Burlington. I do this all the time. Normally, I catch the bus that takes me home just in the nick of time. I have no clue why Mississauga Transit doesn't try to make it so people can catch buses after getting off the train.
On Saturday I got off the train, tore down the stairs and saw my bus already at the lights. It was 4:35pm. Next bus, 5:07 pm. Nice. So I walked home from the train station. THAT is why people won't take transity and leave their cars at home. THAT is why no one will rather chose the bus over their cars. Of course Transit will shrug it off. As always. Note to self: hurry up and get license NOW!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Packed Buses
The little buses are out in full force this week! UGH! I've been lucky taking the bus home in the evenings and it's been a 40 foot bus but not this week. It was packed last night and there were tons of people standing. On a normal bus it doesn't really matter if people stand, there is room. On the little buses though, there is no room at all!
Here's hoping a 40 foot bus pulls up to the stop at south common tonight!
Here's hoping a 40 foot bus pulls up to the stop at south common tonight!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Weekend Service
On Saturday I had to run out to Fabricland. I love Fabricland but the one by my house I hate taking the bus to it. If I had a car, it would easily be under 7 minutes to drive there but by bus it's a whole issue of getting there and getting back.
I left my house just after 4pm and was at the stop with time to spare. The hated little bus pulled up and it was pretty much packed. To get to Fabricland I need to transfer buses so I got off and waited for the next bus. I had around 10 minutes to wait. The bus finally came and off I went. It took me about 30 minutes to get up the street.
I bought what I needed and left the store and crossed the busy intersection at Winston Churchill and Dundas to the stop where I could catch the bus back home. At the stop there was no bus stop times posted. This annoys me to no end as this is a very busy area of the city. So thankfully I had my cell phone and I called the number to see when the next bus was coming. It was around 4:55 pm. I called and the next was was at 5:49pm!! I had almost an hour to wait! On a route that goes down a main road in the city. I thought maybe there was a bus on it's way as if it's under 5 minutes the automated call won't tell you if there's a bus. NOPE. So I used my cell phone minutes to find out I had a long wait.
I'm not one to wait around if I have other options. Across the street is a stop for another bus and I could take it and transfer to another bus. Off I went and crossed this busy intersection yet again. I get to the next stop on Dundas and once again there is no posted bus times. Out comes the cel phone. Oh geez, I only have 25 minutes to wait here BUT if I do take this bus I have to wait for a different bus that may or may not have good service.
I decided to just go into another store and wait for the first original bus. After shopping I came back out to the stop, crossing the intersection for my fourth time of the day and waited. There were a few of us at that stop now. Finally the bus came, another little bus full of people. I wasn't sure if I could catch another bus home and called on my cell again. Gee it was only going to be another 25 minutes to wait. UGH!
I got off at my stop and just decided to walk home.
And transit wonders why people prefer their cars. That's it, I'm getting my license. If I had taken a car I would have made this round trip including my shopping in 30 minutes, by bus it took me over 2 hours.
I left my house just after 4pm and was at the stop with time to spare. The hated little bus pulled up and it was pretty much packed. To get to Fabricland I need to transfer buses so I got off and waited for the next bus. I had around 10 minutes to wait. The bus finally came and off I went. It took me about 30 minutes to get up the street.
I bought what I needed and left the store and crossed the busy intersection at Winston Churchill and Dundas to the stop where I could catch the bus back home. At the stop there was no bus stop times posted. This annoys me to no end as this is a very busy area of the city. So thankfully I had my cell phone and I called the number to see when the next bus was coming. It was around 4:55 pm. I called and the next was was at 5:49pm!! I had almost an hour to wait! On a route that goes down a main road in the city. I thought maybe there was a bus on it's way as if it's under 5 minutes the automated call won't tell you if there's a bus. NOPE. So I used my cell phone minutes to find out I had a long wait.
I'm not one to wait around if I have other options. Across the street is a stop for another bus and I could take it and transfer to another bus. Off I went and crossed this busy intersection yet again. I get to the next stop on Dundas and once again there is no posted bus times. Out comes the cel phone. Oh geez, I only have 25 minutes to wait here BUT if I do take this bus I have to wait for a different bus that may or may not have good service.
I decided to just go into another store and wait for the first original bus. After shopping I came back out to the stop, crossing the intersection for my fourth time of the day and waited. There were a few of us at that stop now. Finally the bus came, another little bus full of people. I wasn't sure if I could catch another bus home and called on my cell again. Gee it was only going to be another 25 minutes to wait. UGH!
I got off at my stop and just decided to walk home.
And transit wonders why people prefer their cars. That's it, I'm getting my license. If I had taken a car I would have made this round trip including my shopping in 30 minutes, by bus it took me over 2 hours.
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Little Buses
You may have noticed these short buses being used in the city lately. I hate those buses. There are so many issues with them. Issues I passed onto to management but they think these buses are the bees knees. They are better on gas. So here are my issues with these stupid small buses that whoever designed them has obviously never been on a bus!
First the very first seats of the bus are very close together, and by close I mean if people sit on either side their knees almost touch. These seats are meant for seniors or disabled. Well the problem with that, is that these seats are on top of the front wheel of the bus making them high. If I sit there, my feet don't touch the ground. If peope are actually sitting there and more people board the bus, they have to walk sideways just to get by. So much for that rule about keeping the aisles clear.
Second problem is the lack of seating on these buses. It would be okay for routes that don't have a lot of people on them but these buses are on the route I use. It's standing room only most of the time. You feel like a sardine sitting and standing. Elbow people, why can't bus designers remember people have elbows! It's not just about our butts fitting in the seat. We all have elbows! Overall these buses fit around 27 people. If all the seats are full you have nowhere to put anything. Don't bother picking up any groceries. You will have to balance it on your head.
Another problem area is the back of the bus. I will have to take a measuring tape with me one day. The space for knees is a joke. I don't know how tall guys sit back there. I have banged my knees on the first seat after you go up the stairs. I'm shorter than the average person so it boggles my mind that they expect average people to fit back there.
The bell is a HUGE problem at the back of the bus. If you are sitting at the back area, the string to pull for a stop is right at your shoulder. Purse straps, hoods and anything else at that level set the bell off. Sometimes people don't even know that they are doing it. I've seen one driver flip out over a bell ringing after every stop. He stopped the bus and swore at everyone to stop ringing the "goddamn bell". It's not the passengers fault, it's the little buses designers fault.
The very back seat is just stupid. If you are sitting there and need to get out, everyone has to move to let you out but here is no room to move on these buses!
The back door not opening. ONE of the worst faults of these buses. The driver unlocks the back door, you hold the handle and.....nothing...the bus starts to move. This happens so often on these buses that I just try to use the front door. Unless there are a lot of people sitting in the front seats. Then you are trapped. Sometimes you can shake the door handles and they will finally open.
If a stroller or shopping cart or senior with a walker gets on, it's so hard to get around it. The route these buses are on is by a community centre and a retirement home so there are a lot of walkers, carts and strollers. Why they use these little buses is beyond me.
I wish they would drive one of those buses to city hall so all of council could get on and see just how bad these buses are. Maybe then they would get rid of them and not order anymore! I'm not asking for a 60 foot bus on my route, just a 40 foot bus with enough seating and leg room that I don't feel like I'm in a sardine can!
First the very first seats of the bus are very close together, and by close I mean if people sit on either side their knees almost touch. These seats are meant for seniors or disabled. Well the problem with that, is that these seats are on top of the front wheel of the bus making them high. If I sit there, my feet don't touch the ground. If peope are actually sitting there and more people board the bus, they have to walk sideways just to get by. So much for that rule about keeping the aisles clear.
Second problem is the lack of seating on these buses. It would be okay for routes that don't have a lot of people on them but these buses are on the route I use. It's standing room only most of the time. You feel like a sardine sitting and standing. Elbow people, why can't bus designers remember people have elbows! It's not just about our butts fitting in the seat. We all have elbows! Overall these buses fit around 27 people. If all the seats are full you have nowhere to put anything. Don't bother picking up any groceries. You will have to balance it on your head.
Another problem area is the back of the bus. I will have to take a measuring tape with me one day. The space for knees is a joke. I don't know how tall guys sit back there. I have banged my knees on the first seat after you go up the stairs. I'm shorter than the average person so it boggles my mind that they expect average people to fit back there.
The bell is a HUGE problem at the back of the bus. If you are sitting at the back area, the string to pull for a stop is right at your shoulder. Purse straps, hoods and anything else at that level set the bell off. Sometimes people don't even know that they are doing it. I've seen one driver flip out over a bell ringing after every stop. He stopped the bus and swore at everyone to stop ringing the "goddamn bell". It's not the passengers fault, it's the little buses designers fault.
The very back seat is just stupid. If you are sitting there and need to get out, everyone has to move to let you out but here is no room to move on these buses!
The back door not opening. ONE of the worst faults of these buses. The driver unlocks the back door, you hold the handle and.....nothing...the bus starts to move. This happens so often on these buses that I just try to use the front door. Unless there are a lot of people sitting in the front seats. Then you are trapped. Sometimes you can shake the door handles and they will finally open.
If a stroller or shopping cart or senior with a walker gets on, it's so hard to get around it. The route these buses are on is by a community centre and a retirement home so there are a lot of walkers, carts and strollers. Why they use these little buses is beyond me.
I wish they would drive one of those buses to city hall so all of council could get on and see just how bad these buses are. Maybe then they would get rid of them and not order anymore! I'm not asking for a 60 foot bus on my route, just a 40 foot bus with enough seating and leg room that I don't feel like I'm in a sardine can!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Drivers
Now don't get me wrong, there are a lot of drivers that I know quite well and like a lot. There are also a lot of drivers I don't like and some I have no clue who they are. Some I see once and are gone. Others it depends on what are of the city I am in.
For the most part the drivers here in Mississauga are great. They put up with a lot of crap. Crap from passengers, bosses and the city and maybe even their union.
In my own opinion, I think drivers should first and foremost be good drivers. They are afterall, driving a lot of people all over the city. People of all types. Young, old, sick, disabled, etc. So being a good driver is the TOP item on my own qualifications for being a safe and good bus driver. Now, with an influx of new drivers I'm not so sure if that is the top qualification for the city any longer. There are so really bad drivers lately. Scary bad. I mean, some of them could be on Canada's Worst Driver bad!
So here are a list of driving habits that I don't think bus drivers should have or do:
Going through red lights- I don't really need to explain that one do I?
Slowing down at green lights- It happens all the time and then if by chance the light turns yellow the driver will SLAM on the breaks. Green means GO, there aren't shades of green. Just go!
Driving really fast and when you get to a bus stop you hit the breaks. When the passengers have things falling on the ground or they are hanging on for dear life, your driving isn't safe.
The impatient red light driver. The bus is at a red light. It's not changing yet the bus driver thinks he can get the light to change if he pulls up an inch and hits the brakes. He moves up an inch again and hits the brakes. What he fails to realize is that you are making all the passengers jerk forward evertime you do that. UGH! Just wait, the light WILL change. It always does even if you don't move up an inch at a time!
The jerky driver. This is the driver (and there are a few and I have one of them this week!) who presses on the gas than lifts his foot of when get goes too fast, then pushes on the gas instead of just having a constant foot pressure on the pedal (just 'cause I don't have my license doesn't mean I haven't driven). Then.....the...whole...bus.....ride....is.....a....bunch.....of.....jerking.....motions....that.....hurt......your.......back. You get the point
The brake happy driver. Like the jerky driver but instead of just lifting his food off the gas pedal, he touches the brake. So. You. Get. More. Jerkiness. Than. The. Jerky. Driver.
The road rage driver. I guess this is the guy, when driving a car, engages in these battles. However, when you are on a bus and driver is flashes his lights, blaring his horn and riding up someone's butt because he or she may have cut you off it's not fun for the passengers. I don't care that you can blare a horn for 20 seconds straight or can curse and swear at someone that probably thinks your pyscho.
The distracted driver. Whether they are talking to a person, on their cel, or looking for their lunch, opening a coffee, it puts the fear of God into me. You see the car stopped ahead the driver doesn't notice. Finally he does and hits the breaks. I just love to fly out of my seat. Or they can pull out their paper at red lights and not notice when the light turns green.
Now there may be others so I may add to that list from time to time.
Second on my list of qualifications is customer service. Now, that can take many forms and for bus drivers I think the most important ones would be to pick up passengers, don't be a jerk, try to be helpful if you can and let people off the bus when they want. Don't worry, I'm not expecting a lot, I think good driving comes before this but there are few things that I expect.
Pick me up. I'm at the stop waiting. Your late and zoom, there you go. You forgot one of the most important parts of your JOB! Pick up the person waiting for the bus. Now I do think the company can make this easier for drivers with bus shelters (I will get into what I think the city has to do in another post!) BUT come on! I was there! How could you miss me? I'm not hiding! It's not so bad in the spring or summer but when this happens in the dead of winter. UGH! I'm think, "Car, I need a car!"
Let me off. If I ring the bell please let me off at the next stop. I see you talking and know you didn't notice and sure enough we go right by my stop. Then I have to yell, "EXCUSE ME!" and everyone on the bus looks at me. Then I get the, "oh sorry!" and I have to walk back. Now what amazes me is how many times I see other people waiting to get off that don't say anything when the driver goes by their stop. I'm not going to be quiet. I YELL. Then he will stop!
Early bus and I'm not quite at the stop. Okay the "policy" is be at your stop 5 minutes before and normally I am. Sometimes though a bus is super early for some reason and I'll not be at the stop. Most of my regular drivers know me and will wait or pull up to me. Some go right by me even though I am waving. I've had some put their hand up as if to say, "oh well". Gee, thanks. You are early and won't wait for me. Thanks.
Buses leaving early or late. Okay, I'm reasonable, traffic, weather and acts of who knows what all play a part in busing. There is one thing I don't get though, how a schedule can even be followed if the bus doesn't start off at the right time. Nothing irritates me more than a bus sitting there at the terminal while a driver smokes and talks on his phone, then leaves 5-10 minutes late. I have places to be and connections to make. Leave on time please! On the same note, if I'm on another bus and have to make a connection and that bus leaves early and I miss it I just want to scream. Leave on time please!
Not respecting people. I've seen a lot of rude behaviour from some drivers. Now don't get me wrong, I've seen a lot of great things and I will post that soon enough. One time a person who is mentally disabled and has trouble stepping up on the bus wanted the driver to make the bus kneel. I think all drivers should do this when loading and unloading. I'm able bodied but I am short and I shouldn't have to make a quiet leap on a bus. Anyway, this woman pointed down and half lifted her leg but the driver wouldn't lower the bus. I'm not sure why but the woman ended up walking away. That really bothered me. Or there used to be an older man who either had a mental disablity or suffered from a brain issue. He asked every driver what their name was and how they were. He never remembered their names so I'm guessing he had short term memory loss or something. Was he annoying? Sometimes. He asked me the same questions day after day but I was always nice to him. Well he asked one driver what his name was and the driver told him it was none of his business and to sit down. Then the man became confused as this wasn't the normal route he took and when he asked the driver when we were leaving and where we were going the driver told him to shut up. Nice. On may way off the bus I told the driver what I thought about him and his behaviour. His excuse was that the man always bothered him with his questions.
Getting bus help. Now I do think passengers should do their own homework about what bus they need to take before going out the door. The transit company does have a helpful customer service number if you don't have internet. That said, I do think some drivers should be a bit more helpful. I've seen people ask what bus they need to take and the drive shrugs. Hmmm, you work for a company that drives people around the city and you have no clue?
Now I'm sure I'll remember others or witness some other things I don't like so I'll add!
For the most part the drivers here in Mississauga are great. They put up with a lot of crap. Crap from passengers, bosses and the city and maybe even their union.
In my own opinion, I think drivers should first and foremost be good drivers. They are afterall, driving a lot of people all over the city. People of all types. Young, old, sick, disabled, etc. So being a good driver is the TOP item on my own qualifications for being a safe and good bus driver. Now, with an influx of new drivers I'm not so sure if that is the top qualification for the city any longer. There are so really bad drivers lately. Scary bad. I mean, some of them could be on Canada's Worst Driver bad!
So here are a list of driving habits that I don't think bus drivers should have or do:
Going through red lights- I don't really need to explain that one do I?
Slowing down at green lights- It happens all the time and then if by chance the light turns yellow the driver will SLAM on the breaks. Green means GO, there aren't shades of green. Just go!
Driving really fast and when you get to a bus stop you hit the breaks. When the passengers have things falling on the ground or they are hanging on for dear life, your driving isn't safe.
The impatient red light driver. The bus is at a red light. It's not changing yet the bus driver thinks he can get the light to change if he pulls up an inch and hits the brakes. He moves up an inch again and hits the brakes. What he fails to realize is that you are making all the passengers jerk forward evertime you do that. UGH! Just wait, the light WILL change. It always does even if you don't move up an inch at a time!
The jerky driver. This is the driver (and there are a few and I have one of them this week!) who presses on the gas than lifts his foot of when get goes too fast, then pushes on the gas instead of just having a constant foot pressure on the pedal (just 'cause I don't have my license doesn't mean I haven't driven). Then.....the...whole...bus.....ride....is.....a....bunch.....of.....jerking.....motions....that.....hurt......your.......back. You get the point
The brake happy driver. Like the jerky driver but instead of just lifting his food off the gas pedal, he touches the brake. So. You. Get. More. Jerkiness. Than. The. Jerky. Driver.
The road rage driver. I guess this is the guy, when driving a car, engages in these battles. However, when you are on a bus and driver is flashes his lights, blaring his horn and riding up someone's butt because he or she may have cut you off it's not fun for the passengers. I don't care that you can blare a horn for 20 seconds straight or can curse and swear at someone that probably thinks your pyscho.
The distracted driver. Whether they are talking to a person, on their cel, or looking for their lunch, opening a coffee, it puts the fear of God into me. You see the car stopped ahead the driver doesn't notice. Finally he does and hits the breaks. I just love to fly out of my seat. Or they can pull out their paper at red lights and not notice when the light turns green.
Now there may be others so I may add to that list from time to time.
Second on my list of qualifications is customer service. Now, that can take many forms and for bus drivers I think the most important ones would be to pick up passengers, don't be a jerk, try to be helpful if you can and let people off the bus when they want. Don't worry, I'm not expecting a lot, I think good driving comes before this but there are few things that I expect.
Pick me up. I'm at the stop waiting. Your late and zoom, there you go. You forgot one of the most important parts of your JOB! Pick up the person waiting for the bus. Now I do think the company can make this easier for drivers with bus shelters (I will get into what I think the city has to do in another post!) BUT come on! I was there! How could you miss me? I'm not hiding! It's not so bad in the spring or summer but when this happens in the dead of winter. UGH! I'm think, "Car, I need a car!"
Let me off. If I ring the bell please let me off at the next stop. I see you talking and know you didn't notice and sure enough we go right by my stop. Then I have to yell, "EXCUSE ME!" and everyone on the bus looks at me. Then I get the, "oh sorry!" and I have to walk back. Now what amazes me is how many times I see other people waiting to get off that don't say anything when the driver goes by their stop. I'm not going to be quiet. I YELL. Then he will stop!
Early bus and I'm not quite at the stop. Okay the "policy" is be at your stop 5 minutes before and normally I am. Sometimes though a bus is super early for some reason and I'll not be at the stop. Most of my regular drivers know me and will wait or pull up to me. Some go right by me even though I am waving. I've had some put their hand up as if to say, "oh well". Gee, thanks. You are early and won't wait for me. Thanks.
Buses leaving early or late. Okay, I'm reasonable, traffic, weather and acts of who knows what all play a part in busing. There is one thing I don't get though, how a schedule can even be followed if the bus doesn't start off at the right time. Nothing irritates me more than a bus sitting there at the terminal while a driver smokes and talks on his phone, then leaves 5-10 minutes late. I have places to be and connections to make. Leave on time please! On the same note, if I'm on another bus and have to make a connection and that bus leaves early and I miss it I just want to scream. Leave on time please!
Not respecting people. I've seen a lot of rude behaviour from some drivers. Now don't get me wrong, I've seen a lot of great things and I will post that soon enough. One time a person who is mentally disabled and has trouble stepping up on the bus wanted the driver to make the bus kneel. I think all drivers should do this when loading and unloading. I'm able bodied but I am short and I shouldn't have to make a quiet leap on a bus. Anyway, this woman pointed down and half lifted her leg but the driver wouldn't lower the bus. I'm not sure why but the woman ended up walking away. That really bothered me. Or there used to be an older man who either had a mental disablity or suffered from a brain issue. He asked every driver what their name was and how they were. He never remembered their names so I'm guessing he had short term memory loss or something. Was he annoying? Sometimes. He asked me the same questions day after day but I was always nice to him. Well he asked one driver what his name was and the driver told him it was none of his business and to sit down. Then the man became confused as this wasn't the normal route he took and when he asked the driver when we were leaving and where we were going the driver told him to shut up. Nice. On may way off the bus I told the driver what I thought about him and his behaviour. His excuse was that the man always bothered him with his questions.
Getting bus help. Now I do think passengers should do their own homework about what bus they need to take before going out the door. The transit company does have a helpful customer service number if you don't have internet. That said, I do think some drivers should be a bit more helpful. I've seen people ask what bus they need to take and the drive shrugs. Hmmm, you work for a company that drives people around the city and you have no clue?
Now I'm sure I'll remember others or witness some other things I don't like so I'll add!
The Worst Kind of Passengers
So I thought I would post a few general posts about things I observe on the bus. Some might think my first attack would be transit or the drivers. Nope, it's my fellow passengers. Sometimes I see people doing things and I wonder how on earth they get by.
There are many things that drive me nuts on the bus. I'm just an average person so I can't possibly be the only one that is annoyed. Can I?
Top things that annoy me on the bus from fellow Passengers ( in random order!)
Yell into your cellphone. I get it, you can't hear the person and maybe they can't hear you but do you think the entire bus needs to know you are going out to get blitzed and so and so is going to be there and like oh ma gawd they better not show their face. UGH! Sometimes I just want to turn around and yell SHUT UP!
Snort. Allergies, cold? I don't care. Get a kleenex and blow your nose. The contanst sound of someone snorting their snotty nose behind me makes me want to scream. Don't have a kleenex? ASK for one! Someone on a bus must have a tissue. OR learn to bring some the next time.
Clipping nails. That snip, snip noise is vile and disgusting. I don't need to see your leftover nail pieces on the seat or see them flying. This is something that you should do at home! Leave the personal hygeine stuff for HOME! Not the bus!
Strollers. I'm a nanny and I have brought a double stroller on the bus. THE SEATS FLIP UP! Get out of the aisle! I shouldn't have to perform an aerobic feat just to get to the back of the bus. If for some reason you can't get the seat up, move over as far as you can. That means taking all the bags off the handles so they don't stick out and block the aisle!
Food. Why is there always a banana peel on some seat. Obviously someone at the banana and couldn't manage to walk up to the garbage can (which is at the front of the bus) or take it with them. Don't leave your leftovers on the bus! Take your wrappers, cans and water bottles with you. No wonder the buses are so nasty at times (I'll save that for another post!).
Not moving. It amazes me when a senior gets on the bus and some rude jerk in the front seats doesn't move. I've given my seat up plenty of times. Would you treat your own mother or grandmother that way? OR when a blind person gets on, don't you think you should move? MOVE your ass to the back of the bus!
Backpacks. Take them off please. You seem to think you are a lot smaller with it on and turn and wack people in the face. OR you block doors, the aisle and think by sucking in your gut it makes the backpack disappear. News for you, it doesn't. Just take it off.
Ipods. First off, I have one. I listen to it but I bet you, not one person knows what I'm listening to. I don't need to hear your music blaring so loud that I can feel it. Do you not think that maybe you are the only one that likes whatever you are listening to? Listen to whatever you want, just don't make the whole bus listen to it too!
Religion handouts. I don't care what religion you are, I really don't need to be asked, "do you believe in God?" Whether I'm at a bus stop or on the bus, leave God out of it. And leave me alone while we are at it. It's none of your business and I don't need a pamphlet waved in my face.
Seat Whores. I don't care if you paid with a ticket, pass or change. You paid for one seat. You get one seat. That doesn't mean all your bags should be sprawled over 3 seats and when someone says excuse me, and tries to use a seat you get all huffy. Put them on the ground! If you don't like it, call a cab next time.
Seat crowders. I keep on my seat. I don't spread my legs and touch you and I would appreciate the same. If I move don't follow. Yuck! I don't know you and I sure as hell don't want to touch you.
No change ready. You know you are taking the bus, don't you think you should make sure you have the right amount before you get on. See that blurb on the transit map, HAVE EXACT FARE READY BEFORE YOU BOARD. Nothing is more annoying than a bus sitting at a stop waiting for you to count out your change. Some drivers won't go until you are seated. If I miss my next bus it will be your fault. Get your bus money out before you get on the bus!
Not moving back. Is the bus scary beyond the front doors? It must be for some as they will not move back. Then you get a bottleneck at the front of the bus. I get on and I have to fight my further back where there are lots of seats. Imagine that!
Deoderant. The area is cramped and I'm sorry I don't want to smell you. I know it may not be politically correct but I don't care. Use deoerant, you stink and it's gross! This is especially bad in the summer when there are no seats and someone stinky has to hold the pole and you need a gas mask.
Well I may have to add to this list but those are the main things that come to mind!
There are many things that drive me nuts on the bus. I'm just an average person so I can't possibly be the only one that is annoyed. Can I?
Top things that annoy me on the bus from fellow Passengers ( in random order!)
Yell into your cellphone. I get it, you can't hear the person and maybe they can't hear you but do you think the entire bus needs to know you are going out to get blitzed and so and so is going to be there and like oh ma gawd they better not show their face. UGH! Sometimes I just want to turn around and yell SHUT UP!
Snort. Allergies, cold? I don't care. Get a kleenex and blow your nose. The contanst sound of someone snorting their snotty nose behind me makes me want to scream. Don't have a kleenex? ASK for one! Someone on a bus must have a tissue. OR learn to bring some the next time.
Clipping nails. That snip, snip noise is vile and disgusting. I don't need to see your leftover nail pieces on the seat or see them flying. This is something that you should do at home! Leave the personal hygeine stuff for HOME! Not the bus!
Strollers. I'm a nanny and I have brought a double stroller on the bus. THE SEATS FLIP UP! Get out of the aisle! I shouldn't have to perform an aerobic feat just to get to the back of the bus. If for some reason you can't get the seat up, move over as far as you can. That means taking all the bags off the handles so they don't stick out and block the aisle!
Food. Why is there always a banana peel on some seat. Obviously someone at the banana and couldn't manage to walk up to the garbage can (which is at the front of the bus) or take it with them. Don't leave your leftovers on the bus! Take your wrappers, cans and water bottles with you. No wonder the buses are so nasty at times (I'll save that for another post!).
Not moving. It amazes me when a senior gets on the bus and some rude jerk in the front seats doesn't move. I've given my seat up plenty of times. Would you treat your own mother or grandmother that way? OR when a blind person gets on, don't you think you should move? MOVE your ass to the back of the bus!
Backpacks. Take them off please. You seem to think you are a lot smaller with it on and turn and wack people in the face. OR you block doors, the aisle and think by sucking in your gut it makes the backpack disappear. News for you, it doesn't. Just take it off.
Ipods. First off, I have one. I listen to it but I bet you, not one person knows what I'm listening to. I don't need to hear your music blaring so loud that I can feel it. Do you not think that maybe you are the only one that likes whatever you are listening to? Listen to whatever you want, just don't make the whole bus listen to it too!
Religion handouts. I don't care what religion you are, I really don't need to be asked, "do you believe in God?" Whether I'm at a bus stop or on the bus, leave God out of it. And leave me alone while we are at it. It's none of your business and I don't need a pamphlet waved in my face.
Seat Whores. I don't care if you paid with a ticket, pass or change. You paid for one seat. You get one seat. That doesn't mean all your bags should be sprawled over 3 seats and when someone says excuse me, and tries to use a seat you get all huffy. Put them on the ground! If you don't like it, call a cab next time.
Seat crowders. I keep on my seat. I don't spread my legs and touch you and I would appreciate the same. If I move don't follow. Yuck! I don't know you and I sure as hell don't want to touch you.
No change ready. You know you are taking the bus, don't you think you should make sure you have the right amount before you get on. See that blurb on the transit map, HAVE EXACT FARE READY BEFORE YOU BOARD. Nothing is more annoying than a bus sitting at a stop waiting for you to count out your change. Some drivers won't go until you are seated. If I miss my next bus it will be your fault. Get your bus money out before you get on the bus!
Not moving back. Is the bus scary beyond the front doors? It must be for some as they will not move back. Then you get a bottleneck at the front of the bus. I get on and I have to fight my further back where there are lots of seats. Imagine that!
Deoderant. The area is cramped and I'm sorry I don't want to smell you. I know it may not be politically correct but I don't care. Use deoerant, you stink and it's gross! This is especially bad in the summer when there are no seats and someone stinky has to hold the pole and you need a gas mask.
Well I may have to add to this list but those are the main things that come to mind!
Transit Tales
Like a lot of people, I take public transit to get around. I never had a license and even if I did, I couldn't afford a car. I have a lot of time on my hands when it comes to transit.
I wait for the bus, I sit on the bus, I wait for another bus. Lots of time to observe many things on transit. Are there problems with public transit in Mississauga? You bet there are. Problems with the way it's run, the drivers and the passengers.
Now, not all is doom and gloom. I see a lot of good things. Drivers doing a great job and going out of there way, passengers helping other passengers even small things that normally we take for granted.
Why blog about something as mundane as transit? Well sometimes I just want to get it out there. The good, the bad and the ugly. I've emailed transit many times and honestly, nothing ever changes. So I can at least say my piece here.
I wait for the bus, I sit on the bus, I wait for another bus. Lots of time to observe many things on transit. Are there problems with public transit in Mississauga? You bet there are. Problems with the way it's run, the drivers and the passengers.
Now, not all is doom and gloom. I see a lot of good things. Drivers doing a great job and going out of there way, passengers helping other passengers even small things that normally we take for granted.
Why blog about something as mundane as transit? Well sometimes I just want to get it out there. The good, the bad and the ugly. I've emailed transit many times and honestly, nothing ever changes. So I can at least say my piece here.
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