To the Bus driver of the 61 bus route at about 2:50 pm yesterday (Monday afternoon), thank you so much for yelling at me for being late, while I carried my stroller onto your bus. I wouldn’t have been late if the city/metro transit system took care of their bus stops and cleared them after a storm. And I probably wouldn’t have been late if these new contracted bobcats did their jobs in the first place and cleared the sidewalks so my stroller could get through them. And I probably wouldn’t have been so late if I didn’t break three of my strollers during last Monday’s storm because of the bobcats not doing their jobs correctly and not clearing the sidewalks enough. And I probably wouldn’t have been late if I didn’t fall on the ice that was caused by the bobcats not clearing the side walk properly. And I probably wouldn’t have been late if I didn’t injure my ankle while falling due to the bobcats not clearing the sidewalk. And I probably wouldn’t have been late if I didn’t need to ask a soldier to help me carry my five year old over the snow banks the bobcats left in the middle of the cross walk because this city has “spent all their clearing budget” on these stupid bobcats, so they’re doing half assed jobs. And I probably wouldn’t have been late if you weren’t 10 minutes early….or 45 minutes late. I still have yet to figure that one out. So thanks, I needed a good yelling. PS: Thanks to the lady who held the bus for me and got called a Bitch for it. I really appreciate it and I hope I can get you coffee sometime to thank you.
This article appears in Feb 7-13, 2008.
that is ridiculous. gotta love metro transit.the other day i watched a bus driver cruise past some old man.. and when everyone on the bus started yelling for him to stop, he finally pulled over, and waited impatiently for the older gentleman to walk to where the bus stopped (pretty much at the next bus stop)and then the bus driver yelled at the man b/c he wasn’t close enough to the curb!is this right??(ps: i am not against all metro transit bus drivers, some of them are quite jolly!! )
For every good bus driver, there seems to be five assholes perched over the wheel. Regardless, they have no right to yell at people – after all, you’re the paying customer. I’d almost be tempted to call Metro Transit on my cell to complain loudly while he’s in listening range. Let’s see what the big man does then.
I know the feeling, tho I am a home-daddy. i had the same problems with my daughter when she was stroller dependent. I feel for you. I find most Transits are nasty, fewer gems than coal. I think there should be options for transit.
yes, i have to agree with one of you who mentioned good bus drivers too. i am new to halifax and i have yet to meet a bad or rude bus driver. the only one i met was one who told a drunk to stop shouting and bothering a lady , if not, he will have to ask him to leave the bus. but he did that politely too.i am from montreal, where believe me 95% of bus drivers will wait for you to come running towards the bus, even at -35 C and just as you reach the bus, shuts the door and leaves you gagging for air.not just me a young person, but even an older women or even a mother who is carrying a child , and is just about 5 yards from the bus.so perharps it’s your buses in that route that are the stinkers.like some of the taxi drivers at the superstores. i think instead of just screaming at all of them, you should perharps use your phone to call metro to complain. if enough people call , and they all come from the same route and the same schedule. surely he will be replaced.as i said, i have yet to meet a rude bus driver yet, in all my 8 months upon arriving in halifax. i actually told several bus drivers how impressed i was when i was them wait for kids running across the street at mumford to get them to catch their buses. it never happens in montreal, even if you are walking on crutches. use the phone, maybe you will not see that rude bus driver ever again.
I am also from Montreal….the difference is you only have to wait 5 minutes for another bus!!!!!!! Around here who knows how long you’ll freeze ur ass off!
Metro Transit really sucks at clearing their stops out! perhaps we should make them ride it during the winter time and see if they like falling on their asses!