Re: Rude transit drivers
Tired and overworked is no excuse for rudeness, but sometimes humans just can’t help themselves.
I am not making an excuse to why anyone working for the transit may appear to some as being rude, but the public needs to know a few things.
Transit drivers do not get scheduled coffee breaks, nor bathroom breaks.
If they are lucky enough to get back to the terminal on time, they only have a 15-minute window before they are off again.
Having this 15-minute window is rare. Actual window times are much shorter.
Transit drivers are on a tight minute-to-minute schedule. They need to be at a particular stop at the designated times.
And they can not get to the terminal before they are scheduled to.
These times do not allow for construction detours, long traffic lights, no traffic lights or turn signals at busy intersections, rush hour traffic, drivers who cut them off, don’t let them out, and the number of cars parked on the city streets can make manoeuvring sometimes difficult and slow.
They have to deal with irate, intoxicated, loud and obnoxious riders, and there are a lot of them out there.
They have to wait for people to get off their phones, Blackberries, etc., so they can put their fare in, show their bus pass, or even just get on the bus.
So, I am sorry that sometimes things are not as they should be, but we need to hear and see the whole picture.
Maybe the next time someone runs into a not so happy transit driver, think for a minute how you react when your day is not going very well.
Then smile and maybe say sorry you’re having a rough day; I hope it gets better.
A transit patron,
Wendy Chevrier
Red Deer