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So, some background on my occupation. I'm a bus driver for Cambus, the local university bus service that is "free and open to the public". Cambus is, with the exception of the full time positions (mechanics, secretaries, and the general supervisor), completely run by students. It was concieved by students, organized by students, and just about every aspect of a business is done by students.
Our buses are 40 feet long, about 15 feet tall, and weigh 13 tons. When empty.
I have a few stories, actually.
1. I was driving a route that takes hospital workers from their parking lot three blocks away to the hospital (Yeah, go figure on that one). My bus was getting pretty full - to the point where I had to stand up and shout to the back of the bus for everyone standing to please move back so I can fit everyone on. I thought this was no big deal, since we have to do this all the time with the students. Turns out, half an hour later I get a call over the radio for me to call the office. One of the hospiatal workers didn't like the fact that I told them to move back so I could fit everyone on the bus. If I hadn't done that, someone else would have called in to say that I left without them. I sell my soul every time scheduling comes around so I don't have to drive that particular route.
2. Last school year ('06-'07) there was this one guy who decided he hated Cambus and just rode two of our routes for whole rounds (we're not supposed to let anyone do that) and he would sit in the back of the bus right in front of the engine. We're supposed to make ADA announcements of our stops and I did, but he said he couldn't hear me. I asked the other people on the bus (about three of them) and they said they could hear me just fine.
3. This same guy came up to me when I had been working for about a month and the following conversation ensued.
SC = him
Me = me
SC: Does <blah> route keep its same schedule during Winter Break? (it was the first Monday of Winter Break)
Me: I don't know. Let me ask.
Me: *calls over the radio to ask the route if they do. Answer is yes*
Me: Yes, they do.
SC: You should have known that.
Me: I'm sorry, but I've only been working here for a month and I've never driven that route before.
SC: Doesn't matter. You still should have known that.
Me: Whatever. *closes doors and leaves*
4. Some people don't realize that if there are signs posted that say "Exit only", they mean "Exit only". Our back doors have such signs for various reasons. One being that we could accidently close them on someone getting on through them. Another being that we take counts of the people getting on so we can get grant money from the federal government. A third being that as soon as people get on the bus, the driver is legally responsible for them. This didn't happen to me, but it did to a co-worker of mine.
SC = sucky customer
CW= co-worker
SC: *gets on through the back doors*
CW: Whoever did that, I'm not leaving until you get off and come in through the front doors.
SC: *doesn't move*
CW: Fine. The dispatcher and my supervisors will understand if I don't want to move until you get up and follow our policy.
SC: *doesn't move*
CW: *gives up after five minutes and leaves*
I have several more, but I figure four is enough for now.
Our buses are 40 feet long, about 15 feet tall, and weigh 13 tons. When empty.
I have a few stories, actually.
1. I was driving a route that takes hospital workers from their parking lot three blocks away to the hospital (Yeah, go figure on that one). My bus was getting pretty full - to the point where I had to stand up and shout to the back of the bus for everyone standing to please move back so I can fit everyone on. I thought this was no big deal, since we have to do this all the time with the students. Turns out, half an hour later I get a call over the radio for me to call the office. One of the hospiatal workers didn't like the fact that I told them to move back so I could fit everyone on the bus. If I hadn't done that, someone else would have called in to say that I left without them. I sell my soul every time scheduling comes around so I don't have to drive that particular route.
2. Last school year ('06-'07) there was this one guy who decided he hated Cambus and just rode two of our routes for whole rounds (we're not supposed to let anyone do that) and he would sit in the back of the bus right in front of the engine. We're supposed to make ADA announcements of our stops and I did, but he said he couldn't hear me. I asked the other people on the bus (about three of them) and they said they could hear me just fine.
3. This same guy came up to me when I had been working for about a month and the following conversation ensued.
SC = him
Me = me
SC: Does <blah> route keep its same schedule during Winter Break? (it was the first Monday of Winter Break)
Me: I don't know. Let me ask.
Me: *calls over the radio to ask the route if they do. Answer is yes*
Me: Yes, they do.
SC: You should have known that.
Me: I'm sorry, but I've only been working here for a month and I've never driven that route before.
SC: Doesn't matter. You still should have known that.
Me: Whatever. *closes doors and leaves*
4. Some people don't realize that if there are signs posted that say "Exit only", they mean "Exit only". Our back doors have such signs for various reasons. One being that we could accidently close them on someone getting on through them. Another being that we take counts of the people getting on so we can get grant money from the federal government. A third being that as soon as people get on the bus, the driver is legally responsible for them. This didn't happen to me, but it did to a co-worker of mine.
SC = sucky customer
CW= co-worker
SC: *gets on through the back doors*
CW: Whoever did that, I'm not leaving until you get off and come in through the front doors.
SC: *doesn't move*
CW: Fine. The dispatcher and my supervisors will understand if I don't want to move until you get up and follow our policy.
SC: *doesn't move*
CW: *gives up after five minutes and leaves*
I have several more, but I figure four is enough for now.