Bus Tales

Enjoying the bar on the bus

A ninnymouse — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:18:18 +0000

On the bus in the middle seat, on the rotating part, there’s two seats separated by a metal bar. As it just so happens, a very large man sat down in BOTH seats, with the middle bar wedged in his crotch. He seemed to be enjoying himself very much!

For Madmen Only

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:54:17 +0000

The 74 bus pulled up to the curb and opened its doors in welcome. A few steps took me inside to the warmth and familiarity of the same short trip, made many days at the same hour to pick up my kids at school. I paid my fare with a plastic card and took my seat in the isolation that marked my time alone and loafing for the day, with nothing to do but ride. (more…)

Campaign or conference call?

Sam — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:51:31 +0000

This morning, a nice lady got on the (standing room only) bus and was on her cellphone. She said what I assume was her first name “Ginger” and then proceeded to say “Hope” about 50 times, getting louder with each repetition. I imagined two possible scenarios: (more…)

Increased fares and frowns on the faces

Lindemann — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:53:58 +0000

Bus fares went up today, putting frowns on the faces of the ridership. There is something that might save money for some and I don’t think its widely known. It is possible to buy an Event Pass for $3.50, which is good for six hours and can be used on express buses without incurring the express surcharge. There is also a Day Pass, costing $6.00, which is good for 24 hours from the time it is issued. (more…)

Freeze pops and cell phones

Shannon — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:53:19 +0000

Well last night I was on my way home from work. I was riding the 4 from downtown to the lyn lake area. The bus was going along smoothly until we were near MCTC. A woman was running trying to catch the bus. Lucky for her someone stopped the bus driver, informing him that the woman was attempting to make it. He stops, she gets on, all is well. (more…)

Bad-back woman

Kelly — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:45:43 +0000

I’ll just paste the entire email I sent to customer service @ SW Transit this morning as my bus tale. Maybe I’m the one out of line, you decide. (more…)

20 cigarettes before the bus

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:41:41 +0000

With ipod in tow, I sat next to the window, shut my eyes and put trust in the driver to get me to work. A little Tripping Billies from DMB Crash album got me to humming a bit. While I did not realize I was a humming, a sharp bump from the bus, opened my eyes to find the two in front of me and the woman next to me staring at me. (more…)

Help, I need somebody

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:54:58 +0000

I looked up from my magazine at the noises of consternation erupting throughout the bus . We’d taken a wrong turn. As we looped through a grocery store parking lot, the driver apologized and joked with the people in the front of the bus. Momentarily united, they spontaneously, unbelievably, began to sing: “Help, you know I need somebody, help, not just anybody…”

Blazing blue sparkles and an intricate braided hairstyle

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:16:06 +0000

If it were not for her saying “Hey Driver!” like the cutest kid could, I would not be writing about how much she made me smile….and how her mother led me to question my faith in humanity. (more…)

Drivers think you’re a jerk

lindemann — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:22:03 +0000

This happened at Snelling Garage about fifteen years ago. Each garage has several dispatchers who assign the buses to the drivers and make sure that the work gets covered when a driver gets sick, oversleeps or doesn’t make it to work for whatever reason. (more…)