Yesterday my car was broken in to and purse stolen (I know, although it was a short time, I shouldn't have left it in the car hidden under the other bag. Lesson learned). I had to take the bridge to get back to Halifax, the bridge with the $1 toll. Since my wallet was in my purse that was stolen, I had no money. With shattered glass on the seats I explained the situation but Mr. Bridge Toll Man wouldn't let me pass because I did not have $1. I pointed out the remains of what use to be a car window and showed him the police file. Didn't matter. I did not have $1. This reminded me of a ferry trip to Dartmouth around Christmas when, with arms full of bags and packages, I asked Mr. Ferry Toll Man if he would pick out the fare from my fist full of change. He told me "we don't handle change." I asked, "then why are you wearing the blue latex gloves?" These employees are part of the city's transportation system. It's incredulous that: 1. Mr. Bridge Toll Man doesn't have the authority to grant a special pass in special circumstances; 2. that in order to get across I had to speak to another publically paid employee; 3. that in pleading my case with these employees I consumed more of tax payers money than the $1 toll; 4. that Mr. Ferry Toll Man does nothing but sit there; and, 5. that they're paid from the public purse but lack the authority and/or intellectual ability to make independent decisions and problem solve. These are small matters. Every employee, no matter who they work for, should be able to resolve problem not only to give good service but also to make business run efficiently. Mr. Bridge and Mr. Ferry Toll Man clearly lack knowledge of the bigger picture and of the performance expectations other organizations and industry hold their employees to. I hope, however, that in those quiet reflective moments, The Toll Men realize how damn lucky they are to have bubble wrapped-publicly funded jobs given their limited abilities. —Flabergasted