A Nice YRT Bus Driver?

The York Region Transit system (and VIVA) is an organization which needs a lot of help. Not only are their buses inconsistent and almost always late but their drivers are more often than not just as sour. I have multiple stories where a driver has left me with a strong feeling in my stomach, a feeling that usually includes rage and disgust. My all time “favourite” bus story was the ride back from an evening Leigh-Amber, Jessica and I decided to spend in Toronto. It had been a fantastic night. The three of us had decided to go into Toronto after work to see Jersey Boys. It was an incredible show if anyone was interested and I would recommend it in a heartbeat. It was approximately 11:15 pm and we realize that our bus was supposed to leave in one minute. We quickly validated our tickets and entered the bus which was in the loading zone, open, with its sign lit up and the inside lights on. We were the only ones on the bus but about 20 seconds later the driver runs on cursing and screaming saying that we are not allowed getting on the bus while she was on break! She kicks us off, turns off her lights; drives to the other side of the parking lot, waits for a good five minutes and then returns to let us back on and start her route five minutes late (go figures). She was at fault because she failed to lock her bus and put up the “Not in Service” sign in the window, which all the other drivers had done. After all the three are not from Toronto and know very little about the whole system. If she had just stated that facts instead of being a wretched lady, I would not have had the slightest problem with her.

Anyways the roles were reversed the other day on my way to work. I was late getting to the bus and the bus was on time. I had to watch in agony as it passed me from across the street. I was fully expecting to be late for work and I began to wait for the next bus which came in 35 minutes. Miraculously the 54 Bayview returned two minutes later and I was able to get on. Supposedly the driver remembered me and saw me from across the street so she went around the block to pick me up. Her nice gesture seemed somewhat odd to me because I was on a York Region Transit bus, but nevertheless I was grateful for her good deed. It was unfortunately short lived. The transfer I half to take with six other people also was on time that day, and because the driver returned for me we missed our transfer. The world is a cruel, cruel place where the nicest intentions can turn out to be futile. When you try to be nice to one person, you might get another six people who become furious with your actions.