Money may not buy happiness, but I’d rather cry in a Jaguar than on a
bus.
Francoise Sagan
I must confess that I’m not a regular public transit user. I’m
fortunate enough that I can walk to and from the office which takes me 40
minutes each way. And, I love starting and ending my day with a walk. However,
there are some days that the weather is downright inhospitable, so I take
public transit, which can be an adventure in indigestion.
The thing that drives me absolutely crazy is the sight of 2
or 3 streetcars in a row, following each other along the route, leaving a huge
gap before the next streetcar comes. In the first streetcar the folks are
packed in like sardines, needing a snorkel to get any air. In the second car
there are a few stragglers who couldn’t fit into the first car, or had the door
slammed in their faces. The third car is completely empty, carrying phantom
riders along the route.
Someone needs to explain this stupidity to me. The entire
transit system is electronically monitored. I have an app that will tell me to
the minute when the next streetcar or bus is coming. So, if the information is
readily available why the hell aren’t these idiotic drivers keeping to a
schedule, or at least a proper distance, instead of sitting on each other’s
tails like lovesick puppies? They’ll even follow each other through a traffic
light instead of holding and waiting for the next light in case, God forbid, a
few more transit riders appear. And, what are all of these transit supervisors, supervising? Surely they can see the same things that the transit users see. What are we paying them for?
I recognize the need for people to drive less and use
transit more, especially in a big city like Toronto; but PLEASE use some common
sense and serve the public instead of this ridiculous practice of the streetcar
drivers playing “follow the leader”. Remember that the public transit system is
for the public, not the drivers.
The only thing wrong with public transportation is that it involves the
public.
Maxine
Make someone smile today.
Geri
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