IAmA City Bus driver, as per recent request AMA

Have you ever been assaulted? This made me very angry.

This is the reason I'm doing this AMA. I of course saw that post and replied. People requested an AMA so why not.

I have been punched once in my 9 years, however, it wasn't nearly as harmful as what happened to that driver. I was hit from a mentally handicapped individual. He is in his 60's and I'm 29 and in fairly good shape, but regardless it was unwarranted. He was probably off his medication and miserable because it was raining. He came up behind me and started bitching saying I wasn't on time blah blah. I ignored him, which as a driver you get very good at doing. During his rant he told me that he wanted off at the next stop, as in "let me off here now". I don't take kindly to rude people so, because he didn't ring the bell, I didn't stop. That's what set him off and he kind of short jabbed me in the jaw. I was lucky enough that I saw it coming and managed to turn my head and take the punch. Now he was 280lbs of scared mentally handicapped man who was trapped on the bus. I wasn't opening the doors for anyone except the police. When they did show up he didn't want off the bus, but they didn't give him the chance. His bouncing off the pavement as they removed him forcefully was enough for me. I didn't press charges and I still let him ride my bus today. He knows who I am and what he did. He doesn't say anything to me and always gets off the back door.

Wtaf? I'd kick that kid's ass

He wasn't a kid, he was a 60 something year old man. I'm the 29 year old

No, I meant the kid in the gif. I would've kicked his ass

Oh, my apologies. Yes I agree, it would be sweet justice to smash every bone in his face, however, the little bitch through that sucker punch and ran. That driver was clearly a senior citizen and this kid still felt scared after he hit him. He's going to get eaten alive in jail.

Do you ever whisper "bitch, I'm a bus" when driving past foolish motorists?

No, but I think I'm going to start.

Are you aware of /r/bitchimabus and the story? If not, you are now.

I am yes, however I never decided to enforce it while working. Tomorrow when I'm at work, I'm gonna "Bitch, I'm a bus" just for you

Has anyone ever shat on your bus?

Yes! An old drunk heading home for the end of the night decided he couldn't wait to get off the bus to number 2. He dropped trou and grabbed on to the seats on both sides, stood in the middle of the isle and started pitching loaf. I noticed when it was already too late... I stopped the bus fairly quickly and of course he fell over, stepping into his freshly made pie. Off the bus he went, and I sure as hell wasn't chasing him. I had to radio in for a bus change, and thankfully I just drive them and don't clean them.

dude fuckin a not the first time you've put up with shit eh? ha you know, what i mean. stay cool man don't let any fucking body tell you you shouldn't drive taxi bros sometimes life is gonna shit in ur double decker and you just gotta weight the fuckin consequences dude... fuckin lets out hang someti me man or whatever.

Thank you?

Pitching loaf? What are we talking here... Fastball? Curveball? Slider?

Slider... a wet, wet slider.

What time should I go outside to wait fort the 43.

It'll be here any minute.

Does it cheer you up at all/make you feel appreciated when riders say "good morning" or "thank you"?

Every single time. I say thank you to every person who pays and if you don't want to respond that's fine. It doesn't go unnoticed when you say a simple thank you.

What do yo do to keep you entertained during a work day. Guessing doing the same route over and over and over again must get really boring after a while. ( If stay on the route assigned to you )

Also, you said you were 29 when driving a bus.

At what age did you start driving?

What made you do it? I know it sounds like a stupid question.

During the working hours, there is enough going on that I don't get bored. Such as traffic, people and other road conditions. It does get to a point where you almost do it on "auto-pilot". By that I mean, you just do your route and aren't really thinking about it. Constantly people want to talk to me, and depending on the mood I'm in or if it's rush hour on a main line, I'll talk or just ask them to sit down. I've met some interesting people, a kid who was from South Africa who ran away. Had an amazing back story for just being 21 years old. Other days I just drive, not interested in learning about someone's grandmother's knee surgery.

I started working for the bus company at 20 years old, Driving at 21(due to licencing) I think back on it now and wonder how the hell I did it. I wasn't mature enough to be doing a job like this with the responsibilities that it consisted of. Yet, somehow I did and thankfully so.

I ended up getting hired on a whim. I was working a min wage security job at the time and was talking with someone who worked at the bus company. Him and I got to know each other and he "put in a good word". During my interview they found out I was only 20 and told me that I couldn't work there, because you had to be 21 to drive. I bullshitted my way into telling them I didn't want to drive and I applied for customer service. It must of worked because I started the following Monday. That lasted about 2 months and I transferred to the service department. Cleaning and fueling buses, I was also trained on driving them at that time too. Once I turned 21 I transferred to become a driver, and here I am today and I love it. Awesome questions, thanks!

I'm a bus operator for my local transit company, and I am allowed to listen to music. Tunes really help with the "auto-pilot" thing. Are you allowed to listen to music?

We were up until recently. They put a policy into effect that we can't have headphones in, even if it's just one ear. We are allowed to have a radio on the dash, but I don't agree with that. If I don't want to listen to some kids shitty rap music through is phone speaker what makes you think grandma wants to listen to my European Power Metal?

What is the weirdest thing you've seen somebody do on your bus?

You know, it depends I guess. I had already typed out masturbate as my response, but as I think about it, I've had more than one thing make me stop and go WTF. In no particular order, I'll list some of those things.

Masturbate, smoke weed thinking he won't get caught, take pictures of girls with out them knowing(until she caught him), passengers fighting, drunk girls flashing, a woman exited the bus baby stroller first and her baby wasn't buckled in(had to call EMS for that one) pissing on the bus and that happens A LOT and vomit.......lots of vomit.

Edit: If I think of anymore I'll add them, or if you'd like me to elaborate on any of those posted, please just ask.

What ruins/ brightens your day regularly as a bus driver?

Children and children, you know the kind.

Have you ever needed to call the police to have people escorted from your bus?

We have a direct line to the police. Most of the time just the threat is enough to get people off, but I've had to call before. They are quick to respond too, which is nice.

isn't every line a direct line?

I mean our radios on the bus, have the police dispatch channel.

The wheels on the bus go round and round. Round and Round. Round and round.

I don't like you anymore. We're no longer friends...

LOL...I was just thinking this morning I should do an AMA as a bus driver, though I drove in college years ago.

Stu?

Has anyone's water broken / given birth on your bus? I know the smart thing to do would be to take a taxi, but sometimes it's spontaneous and sometimes people shouldn't be allowed to breed due to IQ.

No, thankfully no one has given birth on my bus or any co-workers that I know of. You are right however by saying some people shouldn't be allowed to breed. We call those people Wear Wolves, as in they do nothing but wear Wolf sweaters and pajama pants whilst shopping at Walmart.

Edit:Spelling

That is the greatest thing I have ever heard. Thank you fellow bus driver for my new favorite saying.

Spread the love my fellow ATU brother

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It doesn't happen as often as you'd think. Most people are just riding to get where they are going, and want to do that quietly. I'd say out of a 40 hour work week there is maybe 1 guy who causes me grief. Some drivers are different though, some are very confrontational. I Personally just want to drive my 8 and go home. If you can't pay full fare, you can't pay it. Just sit down and don't bother me. Mind you, you learn to know who the scammers are and those are the ones who cause trouble. especially after you've caught them and called them out. People being belligerent in the back of the bus happens a little more often. As long as they aren't hurting anyone or are a danger to themselves or others, I usually just let it go and ignore them. Trust me you can't pay for tv that good. The incoherent ramblings of someone who just huffed a tube of glue is better than HBO.

How often do people actually have sex on the bus? I've heard stories that I'm sure are just that, stories. But on the off chance its not, what happened?

I've never had anyone personally have sex on my bus. The most I've seen is a prostitute pick up a John and get off at a 30 min hotel. I've heard stories of co-workers who are the ones bumping uglies on the bus. I guess late at night when there's no one on, except your little bus bunny, why not.

What kind of bus do you drive? Has your company disabled the kneeling feature (my old one did as there were too many idiots working there)?

We have a melting pot of a fleet. This is of last year 1985 General Motors Classics 1986 General Motors Classics 1987 General Motors Classics 1988 Motor Coach Industries Classics 1989 Motor Coach Industries Classics 1989 Ontario Bus Industries Orion 05.501 1990 Motor Coach Industries Classics 1991 Motor Coach Industries Classics 1991 Orion Bus Industries Orion 05.501 1997 Nova Bus LFS 1998 Orion Bus Industries Orion 06.501 1999 Orion Bus Industries Orion 06.501 2002 Orion Bus Industries Orion 07.501 2004 Orion Bus Industries Orion 07.501 2005 Nova Bus LFS 2006 ElDorado E-Z Rider IIs 2009 New Flyer DE40LFR 2011 New Flyer XDE40 up until last year we also had a 1979 GM, like the bus from the movie Speed

I think the 1997 Nova Bus LFS with the asymmetrical back window is one of the the best looking buses ever made.

Whats it like to drive?

It drives like garbage, we fight to not get that bus. The newer Nova model is one of the best.

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the 1979 gm that was recently retired. That was MY bus, and everyone knew it. I have parts of it hanging on my wall in my house.

Do you wish you could be like this Russian bus driver?
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=EfY8ynVdB_I&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEfY8ynVdB_I

Yes, every part of me says yes. However.... I want to keep my job.

Can you please provide some proof?

Edit: Verified.

I'm in the process of doing so with a Mod

One thing I've always wondered about bus drivers: What happens if you suddenly get diarrhea during the middle of your route? Are there set restrooms along the route?

Tim Horton's, McDonalds, anywhere you can stop. If I know the back door is running loose I just book off. If it onsets while I'm at work I call for relief. I've squeezed the cheeks on more than one occasion let me tell ya.

I was riding a bus one time and suddenly without warning the driver pulls to the side of the road in front of some fast food place - Hardee's I think - exits the bus in a hurry and makes a beeline to the building. It took me about five seconds to realize what he was doing.. After about five minutes some of the passengers start joking about driving the bus off without him. Then a few minutes later he comes strolling back at a leisurely pace as if he had all the time in the world.

And with out a cheeseburger.

• Have you ever witnessed sexual acts on your bus?
• Have you ever had to kick off a homeless person for not getting off?

• Have you had to kick off a homeless person for... getting off? (you know what I mean...)

• How do you handle people who try to get on without paying?

• Do you text and drive?

• Have you built up any sort of relationship with regulars?

• If you see me running from a block away as you begin to leave my stop, will you wait for me or chuckle as you drive off?

• Have you ever had a romantic encounter with a passenger? Not necessarily on the bus.

• How many miles per year do you think you drive?

• Finally, has this made driving your personal vehicle more or less enjoyable/annoying?

Edit: Formatting

• Just masterbation • Yes, it usually ends quiet. • He wasn't homeless just mentally slow • It depends how they approach me. I've become a good judge of character over the years. I can tell if you're just bullshitting me or being honest. If you get on with an XL double double from Tim Horton's, you're damn right I'm not letting you ride for free. • I've been guilty of it yes, but now we have a zero tolerance policy. You get caught once you're done. I leave my phone in my bag and only take it out at the end of the line. • My current GF hopefully one day wife, I met on the bus. But that's a different story all together (read like Del Preston from wayne's world 2) • If I'm on time or maybe a little early, you're damn right I'll wait. If I'm running late, then I'm off. Because If I was on time you wouldn't of seen me anyway. Unless of course I'm driving a route where I know I have the time to make up. There are people that I drive off and leave standing no matter what, they've earned it though. • see previous answer • It depends on the route, but I'd say a quick estimate I do anywhere from 60-100 km a day 5 days a week. • I love driving, when we go on vacation we drive long distances. We both share the driving because she loves driving as well. I'll tell ya though it does feel weird sometimes going from a 40 ft bus to a ford Fiesta

What city are you in? If your bus is stopped at a red light and someone asked to get off, would you let them? Why or why not?

If I'm stopped at a red light or just stopped for any reason I will open the doors if requested, but only if I'm in the curb lane. If I'm in the middle lane or left lane, no way jack. People ask all the time, not realizing the danger of stepping into the lane of traffic. How important is it to get off the bus only to get hit by a car?

[deleted]

I already experience issues with my wrists. Beyond all the masturbation jokes I get from my friends, it is a pain in the ass (or wrist). I have my good days and bad, I wear braces while working and even sometimes at home. On the really bad days I take an Ibuprofen and deal with it. I'm not looking forward to what is to come in 20 years. Edit: and thank you my friend. You're not to shabby yourself

My dad is a bus driver, over 15 years, and for the last year he has been on the waiting list to have a rotator cuff surgery because he has a 9mm tear in his muscle. It came about from years of repetitive motions with the wheel. Because he never told his bus company when he first started having the pain, he just took muscle pills from the doctor, they wont compensate him to the full extent that he could have been when he's recovering. This adds up especially since he is the primary source of income in our family, my mum doesn't work due to arthritis in her hands. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that you should probably talk to your union representative about the arthritis, just so its on record in case it gets worse.

It is on record, thank you for your concern.

How big is the city that you drive in? How many routes are there, roughly? How long would one shift be at a time? Thanks for doing this.

The city is according to Wiki 2011 census 210,00. We have 14 routes, the number of buses on the road vary by time of day however. All shifts are 8-9 hours. We also have split shifts that can be over a 13 hour period. 4 on 4-5 off and 4 on. Thank YOU for participating, I'm enjoying all the questions.

Are you able to tell us what city in Canada you drive for? (you have multiple Canada posts).

Also as a cyclist I know that things can get contentious with large buses. However, if more people took public transit us cyclists would be far better off on the road. Thanks for your service.

I'd rather not say what city, however if you did some digging I think I've said in other posts previous to this AMA what city I'm in. I agree about traffic congestion and you're welcome!

Is it a liability to pick someone up outside of the designated pick up spots? One time I missed the bus by a min or two, he was only 20 feet or so away from the bus stop getting ready to turn. I asked to get on the bus and he shock his head no. Was he just being a dick?

Courtesy stops are at the drivers discretion. Sometimes it's unsafe, other times your driver is just being a dick.

Has your bus ever been shot/shot at?

Canada.

this

Have you ever seen someone running for the bus and decided not to stop?

Yes, but I had good reason to. I was either running late or the person is a regular ass hole and I didn't feel like dealing with their shit.

Ever got out of the bus to get angry with asshole drivers?

I just recently did actually. A woman in her late 60's, early 70's was at a light making a left hand turn in the farthest left lane, on a two way street. So I started my right turn but couldn't proceed due to her being in the way. I made a back up motion, with my hands but she ignored. I honked and made the motion again and this is when it got weird.. She flipped me off, like I was in the wrong. I got out of my seat and walked up to her window to explain to her what she was doing. Her response was "you could've been nicer about it!" that's when I snapped. YOU FLIPPED ME OFF!!!! after a few more choice words she finally backed up enough so I could make the turn. That one had me worked up for most of the day. I was in awe of this lady and her ignorance.

Have you ever considered uppercutting a passenger?

All the time, and sometimes for just the smallest thing. Cold day out and you have the sniffles? BLOW YOUR FUCKING NOSE OR I'LL UPPERCUT YOU!!!! Mind you that's only on the bad days. I'm usually a very tolerant happy guy

What's the worst anyone has done on your bus sexually?

I kind of answered this in another response, but it wasn't asked specifically about sexual. A fellow that is a little slow upstairs and tries to talk to any pretty that gets on the bus pulled his man part out and started to have atter. He covered up with his flat brim spurs hat, so no one would notice... Why he hasn't been banned from riding is beyond me, but he keeps it in his pants nowadays.

About a year ago I was driving my dad's Stakebed truck and smashed a bus' mirror off with my mirror. I stopped and the bus driver got all my information and shit. He was a real cocksucker, almost punched him in the face. Also he started pulling out which is why I clipped his mirror. Anyways my question, How often do you guys get in accidents and how does the city go about dealing with it?

I'm sorry you had to deal with that ass hole. Bus drivers are people too, and some people are just ass holes no matter what job they do. That being said It really does depend on the driver. I've been in 3, all of which were not my fault. 2 mirrors and one I totally wrecked the ladies car. She pulled into traffic with out looking and I cleaned the whole driver side of her car, barely doing any damage to the bus due to the steel beam rubber covered bumpers. She tried saying it was my fault and went on a rampage until the police showed up. That quickly came to and end when the cop ran her license and she didn't have any insurance and the car wasn't even hers. She took it to court a few months later to try and fight the tickets, I was called as a witness. She lost. As far as the city dealing with the accidents, I'm not sure what happens or how it's dealt. My best guess is just like any insurance claim, except we have our own body shop.

If I am standing at a bus stop, say it's late and not many people are out and about, waiting for another bus that shares the stop with you, and I see you coming in, should I wave and shake my head to indicate that I'm not going with your bus? Or are there other techniques?

Step away from the stop or make a clearly understood head shake no. That's the best thing, because I hate having to guess.

Ever get into confrontation with a passenger trying to avoid paying fare?

It usually just ends with them getting off, because they know their wrong. I answered that in a bit more detail earlier. It really just depends how you approach me, if you're nice enough and honest about it I'll let you ride for free.

Does your job suck? I feel like being a bus driver would be terribly nerve racking, and you'd catch crap all day from all directions.

I love it. It's only as stressful as you want to make it. I never let anything bother me enough to ruin my whole day.

Ever had any kind of instance where there was someone on the bus you were trying to talk to but couldn't because of a language barrier? IE: someone causing trouble, not having enough money for fare ,etc...

The city I live in is full of all different nationalities, and I think I'm the worst person to decipher accents. I feel like an idiot sometimes, because the person can be speaking clear as day English and I just have no idea what they're saying. As far as them not being able to speak English, they usually just want a transfer so I just assume and print one.

Have you ever been given anything strange?

Food is usually the thing I receive from people. I think in some cultures it is a gesture of thanks to give someone food. There is a Lebanese woman who gives me some sort of food every time I see her. It's either a chocolate bar or banana she has hiding in her purse or once she actually brought me a full on hot meal. It was delicious. Another man from India always gives me a key chain or charm when I see him.

Has anyone ever had full on sexual intercourse on your bus?

not on my bus, no.