That was my first reaction too:
Oh the fuckers on the bus go “stop stop stop”…
All over town.
London does have certain areas where you can flag down a bus at a nonspecified stop (“Halt and Ride”, I think they’re called), but not very many. The rest of the time, you gotta wait at a stop to get on, and wait until the bus gets to a stop to get off. Unless you’re on a Routemaster (which have an open platform in the back), in which case you can leap off into traffic at 40 mph if you want.
And I so frequently do! You gotta love hurling yourself onto a moving bus by grabbing the pole and hoping it doesn’t speed off and rip your arms out of their sockets. I hope they never get rid of open-backed busses - it’s like your very own thrill ride every day.
You’re a woman after my own heart, Fran. I once chased a bus down Oxford Street (me running half a block down the middle of the street behind the bus, in heavy traffic) before leaping on. Every time I do it, I tell myself “This is really stupid, and I shouldn’t do it.” And then I do it again…
Generally, here in Seattle, the driver stops at the designated stops. Period. Occasionally they might miss a stop if it’s requested, but then they get an earful from the other passengers. Heck, I’ve seen new drivers getting directions from passengers.
HOWEVER: they do have a special “Requested Stop” after dark (9 PM or later) where you can pull the bell and be let off ANYWHERE, designated stop or no. But even then, most people get off at a regular bus stop.
Meanwhile, long as this is a bus-related pit rant, may I add a few complaints of my own?
Look, moron, you know you need to pay when you get on the bus. So why do you wait to dig for your pass, change, etc. when you are standing next to the fare box? People are piling up behind you, and you’re taking up our sweet time. Would it kill you to have your fare ready when the bus arrives? (Same goes for those of you who are riding away from downtown. You know you have to pay when you get off. So could you please have your money ready, instead of digging for it while you hold up the line?)
If you are two blocks away and you see your bus at the stop, yell and scream and run but DON’T expect that they will wait for you. If other passengers see you, they will notify the driver, but it’s the drivers call if he waits for you or not. (There is always another bus on the way.)
God help us, yes, sometimes there are sadistic drivers who like to pull away just as you get to the door. Banging on the side of the bus or the window will not make him stop.
If you must sit on the aisle seat, stop giving people dirty looks if the bus is full and they ask if they can sit in the seat next to you by the window. You paid for ONE seat, not two. Learn to share.
Same goes for those of you who sit sideways with your feet on the seat, taking up two spaces. It would kill you to let someone else sit down, too?
Guys, I understand women’s lib means women must take their chances standing. But if she’s wearing 3 inch heels or higher, you’ll earn her undying gratitude if you let her have your seat. Prove chilvary isn’t dead.
Elderly passengers and extremely pregnant passangers should have priority for seating.
Mothers with small children should be allowed to sit together. It is much appreciated as well if you can keep the little darlings quiet.
Headphones are required. But must you turn your music up so loud that we can hear every drumbeat/note/word anyway?
The bus is not a trashcan. Pick up your litter, and put it in the proper recepticle. Nobody wants to hear your soda can rolling up and down the aisle.
Too bad we can’t publish a book of ettiquette on riding the bus.
maybe it’s just the people on my route, maybe it’s living in the south, but i am so glad not to have this problem. i was recently riding from downtown to the montrose (about a fifteen minute ride), on a bus that got more and more crowded every stop. interestingly, the first stop a bunch of women got on, and the men all stood up. then a few mothers toting kids got on, and some of the women sans children stood up. then we had some pregnant ladies and elderly, and the mothers were standing up. people were almost fighting to give up their seats for others they felt needed it more. it was rather sweet. (yes, i gave up my seat early on.)
reason #286 why i ride a motorcycle