I deposited my bus ticket in the fare box and took a seat. Before the bus pulled away, the driver opened the door, presumably, to admit another passenger. But there was a car parked in front of the bus.
From the bus door, a man accosted the driver. “I don’t want to tell you how to do your job, but why were you driving so slow? You’re not in a school zone. I was stuck driving behind you.”
From my seat, I tensed while I witnessed a case of road rage.
The bus driver calmly but firmly defended himself. He explained that the bus’s route is in a residential zone with two parks, each with a playground. Furthermore, buses usually drive slower than most vehicles due to their size, frequency of stops, and the fact that they are not equipped with seatbelts/airbags.
But the confrontation escalated when the mouthy motorist shouted, “Don’t argue with me!” I was growing alarmed. I don’t recall seeing any other riders on the bus. I wondered if I was going to have to intervene and tell the mouthy motorist to mosey along. But he sounded like the confrontational type who would not have backed down from a show of assertiveness.
But if I had to say one thing to him, it would be this: If you were in such a damn hurry, why did you stop and detain the bus to give hell to the driver? You were detaining yourself.
The driver finally got back in his car and drove off.
I wonder what makes these people tick – or what makes them tick so loudly. I suspect that he had anger issues long before that incident. Kudos to the bus driver for standing his ground while maintaining his composure.
Sometimes, however, it’s the driver themselves who cause delay. One time, I boarded a bus and deposited a transit ticket. Through my Covid mask, I politely asked for a transfer while pointing to the dispenser.
He obliged but along with my transfer, I got a lecture that went something like this: “If you want a transfer, you have to ask for one, so I don’t have to guess.” Calm but indignant, I replied; “I did ask for a transfer.” “I didn’t hear you.”
I took my seat.
I realize that ever since the pandemic, oral communication is often compromised due to masks, plexiglass barriers, and social distancing. But that was one reason why I pointed to the transfer dispenser. I would bet that many bus riders do the same; the way people
point to their wrists when asking for the time. It’s a way of clarifying what we want in case our words are not heard or misunderstood.
I imagine non-verbal people face annoyance from folks who assume that everyone is capable of coherent speech.
To his credit, however, the driver waited for a woman who was across the street using a walker. When she boarded, he gave her some suggestions so that she could be seated comfortably.
But somehow, I just knew that he and I were going to have another exchange. A bit later, when I pulled the “stop request” cord and approached the rear exit, I gently pushed the door on the yellow strip, as per its direction. Other passengers were getting off at the front, but the rear door remained closed. I pushed a bit harder, but to no avail. “Would you open the door?” I called out, not entirely concealing my exasperation. Again, the driver obliged but replied, “You have to push.” “I did push.” What was I supposed to do, use a battering ram? All complaints aside, I am generally satisfied with Calgary Transit and do not wish to discourage seniors – and non-seniors – from riding buses and C-trains.
Safe riding.
