Sunday, May 29, 2005

Winnipeg - The bad bus driver capital of the free world

I can't believe how many bad bus drivers there are on the roads in Winnipeg. I don't just mean ones who drive too fast, or turn corners on two wheels, but those who drive dangerously. Several times this last week I have been on the bus when they have pulled away from a bus stop, after an elderly person has got on the bus, without caring whether that elderly person has grasped a hand rail even! Let alone given them the chance to sit down safely. One time a lady actually fell into the lap of a man sitting behind the driver because the bus veered around a parked car immediately after setting off. Then there was the driver who was going so fast down Taylor, and hit a pot hole, that the lady sitting next to me was bounced out of the seat and almost fell to the floor! I thought the bus was going to break in half. The driver then proceeded to shake his head, as if someone else was at fault! He also went round the corner onto Pembina on two wheels, and very nearly rear ended a small car just around the corner that was stopped for the lights. Now I know that they are struggling for drivers in the city, they are always advertsing for new drivers, but do we as tax and fare paying passengers have to put up with their dangerous driving?

Further to that, there seems to be an increase of miserable SOB's driving the buses too. Last week I got on the 29 to go in to work and the usual driver was absent. Never mind, I still greeted the driver with a friendly smile and a "good morning". He didn't even acknowledge me, he wasn't even looking in my direction. So when I got off I wished him a jolly day saying "*d0* enjoy your afternoon". Well this week he was driving the bus again, so when I got on I said "Morning Harry." He turned to look at me. Clearly his name isn't Harry, but I thought someone as happy as that simply *has* to be called Harry! LOL Needless to say he didn't acknowledge me again. I did see our usual driver on a different route the other day, so I am wondering if he was promoted, I will have to ask, hopefully I will see someone other than Harry to ask.

Then again, I got on the 95 on Friday and the driver was about as friendly as can be, so I guess it is just unlucky to get a bad driver.

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