I love it when pure human nature breaks through professionalism.
I was catching the 72 today. It came by once, stuffed completely, peoples asses hanging out when the door opened. There were only two of us that wanted to get on; neither had a hope in hell. So I just sit down and wait; the other guy buggers off to find some other bus.
Five -ten minutes later, a second 72 passes, this one practically empty. Now because the bus ahead of us had to stop to let people off much more frequently than we did, we were soon catching up to it. By the time we hit westbrook mall, I was the only person left on my bus. So, the driver asks me whether I have to get off in the next few stops; I said I wasn't getting off till Dalhousie. At this point, he obviously decides that
THE
RACE
IS
ON!!!
He ignores all bus stops because the one ahead of us has to hit them... making love to his gas pedal like I have NEVER experienced on a bus, going into lanes with the fastest moving traffic. So, as is bound to happen, we get in front of the other 72.
Moments later, I notice the 72 pulling in front of us. This happens shortly before we get to the university.
Now, is everyone familiar with the circle drop-off point located on the south side, just through the arch on campus? One lane of traffic, one of stopped cars?
Now imagine a bus driver REALLY anxious to get in front of another bus, pedal to the floor, leaning into the wheel to keep from smashing into a couple dozen cars.
ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM ....
{I half expect to hear a giant CRASH and a stream of swearing, the like of which even I have never uttered}
We get ahead again.
This time, the driver REALLY means it. He is HARDCORE. He is squeaking through lights my dad wouldn't try in his escort (I don't mean to say the car is impressive. It isn't. In fact, it's a piece of shit. But it's SMALL). We get to Brentwood first. As far as I can tell, the other 72 is just exiting university campus.
So then, the driver let's me off...and tells everyone waiting that he is out of service, that another bus will be coming, and zooms off to elongate his head start.
.
..
...
....
.....
......
And you always wondered why the busses in the other direction seem to come more frequently. You're right. They are. Your driver is just engaged in a game of tag somewhere else.
Five -ten minutes later, a second 72 passes, this one practically empty. Now because the bus ahead of us had to stop to let people off much more frequently than we did, we were soon catching up to it. By the time we hit westbrook mall, I was the only person left on my bus. So, the driver asks me whether I have to get off in the next few stops; I said I wasn't getting off till Dalhousie. At this point, he obviously decides that
THE
RACE
IS
ON!!!
He ignores all bus stops because the one ahead of us has to hit them... making love to his gas pedal like I have NEVER experienced on a bus, going into lanes with the fastest moving traffic. So, as is bound to happen, we get in front of the other 72.
Moments later, I notice the 72 pulling in front of us. This happens shortly before we get to the university.
Now, is everyone familiar with the circle drop-off point located on the south side, just through the arch on campus? One lane of traffic, one of stopped cars?
Now imagine a bus driver REALLY anxious to get in front of another bus, pedal to the floor, leaning into the wheel to keep from smashing into a couple dozen cars.
ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM ....
{I half expect to hear a giant CRASH and a stream of swearing, the like of which even I have never uttered}
We get ahead again.
This time, the driver REALLY means it. He is HARDCORE. He is squeaking through lights my dad wouldn't try in his escort (I don't mean to say the car is impressive. It isn't. In fact, it's a piece of shit. But it's SMALL). We get to Brentwood first. As far as I can tell, the other 72 is just exiting university campus.
So then, the driver let's me off...and tells everyone waiting that he is out of service, that another bus will be coming, and zooms off to elongate his head start.
.
..
...
....
.....
......
And you always wondered why the busses in the other direction seem to come more frequently. You're right. They are. Your driver is just engaged in a game of tag somewhere else.