Some are super. I know I've sent in a compliment for one of the drivers who regularly does our morning route and outlined several things he does well. He's friendly. He calls the stops. He's on time not early or late. He drives assertively not aggressively. Perfect.
There was another driver I wanted to commend who took the time to stop the bus and call the police because someone who got off the bus stole someone else's bus card. Bunch of people complained and got off, but I was thankful he took the time to help this person.
Then there was the guy who is usually OK if a tad aggressive and gruff announcing stops. No nonsense, just the DJ voice. Normally I'm ok with him, but the other day he's like on this speed deal or something. Arriving early at my stop and every other stop and at downtown St Paul on 5th Street Ramp he nearly rear ended a small car because he was going too darn fast. He slowed down, got hard on the brakes and even moved off to the left and missed the car by less than 6 inches. Driver of the car seemed oblivious. Snow on the back windshield, don't think he/she saw death in the rear view mirror.
BUT the LAST guy who bugged me just might get a send in from me. He was a real jerk. Practically ran over the same car - TWICE - and was complaining about that driver. The car was ahead of him in left turn lane and apparently not turning fast enough for the bus driver so he flashed his lights and all, then backed up and went around him in the middle lane to take the turn. Got to the bus stop and somehow this person is in front of him again but the car won't move. I figured it was some kid learning stick shift because it sounded like the car wasn't in gear and it had driven 1/2 up on the curb to get away from the bus.
To make matters WORSE this guy is announcing like he's out of N'Awlens. "Univers" instead of University. Some old Vietnamese lady is wanting to get on the bus with a suitcase and 2 bags and he doesn't go to the handicap platform right away. He asks her, "You want the ramp?" She says, "Yeah, I need it." But she's too close. He doesn't ask her to back up. He just stares at her like she's stupid. She starts getting her bags on and it's taking awhile so he's bitching her out about "Well if you'd just said "Yes" you coulda had the ramp. So I grab her bags and help her get everything on the bus.
So I'm thinking the worst is over, but she still has to pay her far and she has a bad leg, so I offer to put the card in for her. It doesn't subtract the fare, so we try to talk to him about it and he's like I am not dealing this until we come to a stop. So we are at a stop light waiting for the turn signal and he still won't talk to me... He meant an official bus stop with all the people getting on and off. Yeah, great time to talk to him. So she got a free ride unless he hassled her at the end. I was going to ask him if he was going to be nice to her or if I should make a call. But I figured it would likely piss him off an guarantee she'd be dumped off in a pile.
I've called when it's been middle of fricken winter and the bus is 3 bus schedules behind, so I've been in the cold 45 min and still no bus.
SO I think this article is an ass covering article. Bummer.
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