On my way into work a few weeks ago, our Transit bus was stopped in traffic on a San Fernando Valley street for about 1 hour. Turns out the railroad arms on the nearby train tracks refused to raise, so there we were, 30+ SCVers all cooped up in the air conditioned and comfortable coach, waiting for two pieces of wood to rise. All of us with places to go, people to see, things to do.
Frustrating right? I mean it’s not a good way to start your day, but these things happen. They’re called traffic jams and they’re an unfortunate fact of life in Los Angeles County.
Five minutes into the stop, my fellow SCVers behaved appropriately. They took their headphones off, woke up from their nap, or put the newspaper down. They quietly inquired of their neighbor what was going on. They looked out their windows to see why the traffic was backing up all around us and why nothing seemed to be moving. Then they went back to whatever they were doing to occupy the time.
By 15 minutes into the stop, people were understandably getting restless. I pulled out my laptop to see what the problem was. Google maps showed a long red & black line on the street we were on. What’s more, police started to show up. Obviously there was an accident or something wrong on the road ahead. Motorists started making their own rules and flipped U-Turns. Passengers in the bus started glancing at their watches nervously and texting people.
At 20 minutes, passengers who were only a few blocks from their destination decided to exit the bus. The bus driver let them off immediately and they went on their way. I still had five miles to go in my trip, so I couldn’t do that. I started to hear loud sighs and grumbling from the remaining commuters.
It was around the 30 minute mark that people started to lose their sh*t pleasant suburban demeanor. A 50-something blonde woman two rows ahead of me called a friend who was on the 7:30 bus (commuter bus riders form tight & useful albeit temporary friendships with other bus riders). After a few minutes of complaining loudly that our “stupid” bus driver wouldn’t flip a U in the middle of a crowded 6 lane street, she found out that the bus behind us had been dispatched to avoid the gridlocked street and head down an alternate street.
Now armed with insight into our unfortunate situation vis a vis her friend who was enjoying a hassle free ride to work, she erupted. Walking up and down the aisle quickly, she pressed the males on the bus. “Don’t you care? Aren’t you upset?”
Do something!
Why yes, I was upset, but what the hell am I going to do about it? Rip off my shirt to reveal the Bus Captain superhero outfit I wear beneath each day? Beat the driver senseless? Go Hulk and rip some seats up and throw them out the window?
But she, and several others, were beyond reason. The mutiny had begun.
At T+ 40 minutes, our 45 foot “Where the Good Life Takes You” coach became a rolling scene from Lord of the Flies. Sentiments most foul poured forth from seemingly kind little old ladies. Abuse after abuse was hurled at our poor driver as more and more angry riders discussed what they should do. You could almost see some of the riders grabbing for the conch in a frenzy. One got the bright idea to call the dispatcher, thinking that if enough mean things were said to that poor bastard, he’d order our driver to ignore policemen all around us, the dozens of cars surrounding us, drive through the downed rail arms Dukes of Hazard Style, and get us on our way.
And then, just as I was becoming agitated enough to exit the bus and hail a cab (or walk), we started rolling again. And just like that, the atmosphere of mayhem dissipated, the older woman returned to her seat, and everything was at it should be. I arrived to work 45 minutes late but with a good story to tell and some insight into the savage capacity of your average SCVer.
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As least the stuck commuters weren’t held hostage and had the option to exit the bus and find alternate transportation. I’d love to see angry blonde woman get stuck on a Metrolink train. If the train breaks down or kills someone anywhere other than at the platform, you will be held hostage until the train reaches a platform. They will NOT let you off. If you ride Metrolink long enough, you will eventually get caught up in some jerk using the train to kill themselves. Your typical suicide takes about three hours before the train can move again. If it happens in a remote area, like the Acton suicide, it could take 5+ hours. If your train breaks down, you sit and wait until the next train up/down the line comes to push your train the rest of the way. Count on that taking between 1 to 1 ½ hours. On the bright side, at least the train has restrooms. All that morning coffee and a stuck bus doesn’t mix well.
You should sponser a Bus Riders “Bill of Rights” bill.
Back in the dark ages, while living in San Diego, I rode a bus to and from work every day (about 45 mins. each way). I never once experienced anything like what you experienced, Jeff. I think traffic and human behavior has deteriorated since then. We are all living in such a high pressure, go-go world and no one has patience.
What street was this on?
Man, I would had to behind that Veruca Salt while she waits in line for her 3rd trip to the pasta bar at Hometown Buffet.
Who? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRTkCHE1sS4
Woah there, phone…….that’s “hate to be behind”…..
ha ha I was an ambassador with Santa Clarita transit for 12 years, the poor bus driver was always blamed for traffic, breakdowns, fires, weather, fare increases. Passengers always told me they could just as well join a van pool, they didn’t need the bus, to which I replied go ahead. There was so much pettiness it was laughable, I would say in all the years I took the bus (and I did most of the routes), I was only late more than 30 min
no more than 30 min and one time only
My sis is a school bus driver. You ain’t seen hostile until you put 100 teens on a bus in the desert with no A/C for an hour.
For me, I don’t mind the bus. I’ve sat in Tokyo and Bangkok traffic for hours on a bus. But my preference is to sit in my own vehicle with my A/C & radio an free will. I do miss the potty, however.
100 teens on a bus? Exaggerate much?
Nope, the buses she drives are very large and the capacity is 75-100 or there a bouts. I do not, however, claim to be an expert on school buses. But clearly you are, right?
This post reminds me of my favorite Berkeley Breathed cartoon from Outland. Enjoy.
http://www.rgalea.com/misc/outland/
I loved that strip — and Opus too.
Hah! I first encountered Ms. Berta on a SCV bus. It wasn’t pleasant and I soon learned which bus she took on a regular basis and avoided it like the plague.
“Jane” if you are referring to me, this is an outright lie since I have never taken/ traveled an SCV bus.