So yeah, we all have our problems with Metro Transit, and we’re mostly all pretty aware of its assets as well. Some drivers are great, some are dinks, just like the passengers – alot like life, huh? I try pretty hard to give people the benefit of the doubt, but after now countless occurrences of the same problem with the same damn driver, I wanna know if I’m the only one this happens to:
To the older driver of the #7 who works weekday evenings through to the last run – unless there’s something I’m missing, the three fundamental aspects of your job are 1. Letting people on. 2. Driving from point A to point B. 3. Letting people off the bus, as requested, at the nearest available stop. Seems fairly straightforward.
So why oh WHY have I counted upwards to a dozen times that you, specifically you (I have never had this problem with another transit driver), have either driven right past my stop and not picked me up, when I am clearly standing at the stop, fare in hand, or, just as irritating, why do you not stop when a stop is requested? I’m not stupid, I know how the concept works. I pull the string, I move towards the door, you pull over, open the door and let me off. Except no, you’re often too busy talking to your friends at the front of the bus to notice what’s going on. I am sure I am not the only person you do this to. Frequently if I have to take this driver’s bus home at the end of the night(11.30ish) I end up being forced to ride to the next stop, adding a good 6 extra blocks of walking/avoiding any muggings, etc. What an asset to the team you are.
—justaperson
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2009.
I know exactly who you’re talking about. He has missed my stop on a few occasions, which blows because he drives the bus at night time when I don’t always feel great walking on my own. When he has missed my stop he has let me off right away, but still…
There was one time he drove right past a guy waiting for the bus, and this car behind us was honking. The driver pulled over because he thought he just wanted to get by… that’s when the guy came running up!
He’s always chatting with someone and being distracted… I’m thinking the next time he misses my stop I will call in a complaint (I suggest you do the same)… He’s a nice bus driver, so I feel badly, but it’s just poor service for my 2.25.
You have to phone the transit service, or write them.
YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR REAL NAME & CONTACT INFORMATION. Because of some clause in the union contract, they cannot reprimand or deal with this problem driver without YOUR INFORMATION ! ! !
So if you, who are experiencing this trouble, & you don’t try to rectify it by going through “proper preceedure” (as per Metro transits rules) you have only yourselves to blame if it continues .
I was waiting for the bus once wearing a bright orange knee length trench coat and orange hat, and the bus drove right past, and then realised and stopped 50 feet away to wait for me. He somehow completely missed that I was standing there until he was right beside me.
Maybe he was colour blind?
Or thought you were a pylon?
😉
On a positive note, I recently rode the 64 Montebello from Main St. to Alderney ferry terminal on a weekday morning. The driver, who most passengers called Jon, was very friendly, on schedule, and a great driver. He even knew where most of the passengers got off, and said bye to them by name. Very impressive!
I know this driver, personally. But not THAT personally.