Okay, so, I hate to rant on the buses, but sometimes it is about the routes and services… What is the deal with the #15 Purcell’s Cove? It comes in to the city from Purcell’s Cove then does a Bayers Road run before returning to the Mumford terminal and going back to the Cove. Okay, so far so good. Now, here is the problem: I am waiting to go home to Williams Lake Rd. and I’m not allowed to get on the bus if it’s going to Bayers Rd. I have to wait until it comes back to the terminal and changes the sign to read ‘Purcell’s Cove’? I paid my money, I have my transfer (and when I am working, a bus pass) and I have to wait fifteen to twenty minutes for the bus to go around the Bayers Rd run and pick up three passengers… this is in -15 degree weather. I just want to be warm. Why won’t you let me? I had a job interview on Monday and waited over 20 minutes to get on the bus after the driver wouldn’t let me on because I was not going to Bayers Rd. My feet were frostbitten. Really. I am not given to hyperbole and I don’t believe in lying. Even now my feet hurt because the driver of the #15 would not let me on the bus for the Bayers Rd. run… No wonder people are buying cars… If the weather is nasty, let folks stay warm… it’s only decent. After all we are paying your salary.
—BlackRose
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2009.
why don’t you just stay inside a few minutes longer?
In the case of the 15, the bus lays over for 10 minutes at Bayers Rd and doesn’t always come back as a 15. The driver usually uses that time to use the facilities or eat, or etc… Call it an opportunity to recharge and take a deep breath before the next trip that’s easier (but not impossible) if the driver is alone. If this was at Mumford, stairdog has a good point. If this wasn’t OP, then you do. There is no rule that states passengers cannot get on the bus and ride for the turnaround. Knowing this, I say nothing to passengers on cold days because I’ve been a passenger before I was a driver and know what -15 feels like.
Now, if there’s really no good reason to do it, that’s different. Gaston Rd residents (#66), I’m looking in your direction here.
I hate ppl that defend the bus system, try taking it daily and getting to work on-time! Emphasis on TRY
You mean like I did for the past 4 years and still use today? Yes, I’ve had drivers pull away on me, yes shit has happened to me. Eventually, there comes a point where you learn to make the most of what you have. As I had to rely on the oft-late 52 to get to work, I learned to simply attempt to catch the bus before the one I really needed. I still do that today. I defend the bus system because I am in the unique position here of seeing what both sides are like. Hate me if you will, but it isn’t going to change what I do. Both sides of an argument deserve to be heard, whether you agree with them or not.
Shit, I’m getting fed up of these bus bitches.
I’m never late for work – ever. And I get two buses sometimes! Know why? I plan my schedule, and get to the appropriate stop early. I also dress accordingly.
Learn how to use the bus.
Actually, PDG’s right — I know on sundays sometimes the 18 turns into the 21 (well it used to anyway) and I’m pretty sure the 21 turned into the 18 on Saturdays at one point for example.
I know it would be a huge expense and would attract more bums than it’s worth, but some heated bus shelters would be nice sometimes! (maybe some A/C’d ones in the summer too…one can only dream, I guess)
Unimpressed, I hate people who constantly complain about the bus service. I take it daily and am always on time for work. “Two sides of the coin to choose from”
PDG,
Are you saying that residents on Gaston Rd. are getting on the bus on the wrong side of the road?
Then why are there go times on the drop off side and a bus shelter?
PK– you’re right. I used to live out in Timbo and the 21 turned into a 17 on it’s Saturday/Sunday runs. Back when the 17 ran weekends. It’s now an 18. I used to stay on it when I had to travel downtown on the weekends when I lived out there. A more recent example of “riding around” that I can think of is riding the 52 around the chain lake loop, past telehell. I used to do that all the time, especially when there was bad weather.
haha I still ride the loop when I’m too lazy to walk to the BLIP stores.
Also: the 17 ran on weekends? My mind is totally blown to shit right now…next you’ll tell me it ran past 6:30pm. Insanity.
Yeah that was back before they shut it down (a decision that lasted all of one year I think) and had it running again. I think that was about 9-10 years ago?