Entry tags:
Two Transit Notes
1. When you board an MCT bus, you either pay cash or display one or another piece of paper or plastic - transfer, monthly pass, senior pass, whatever. The driver has to make note of which of these each passenger uses. On Wednesday, boarding the #19 that's the last leg of the trip home, as I raised my monthly pass the driver cackled (that's the only word for it): "Ha-haa! Beat you to it! I already punched it in!" (This was accompanied by a quick finger-pointing gesture.)
2. Today, I was heading for the #22, for the ride to the station, where I'd switch to the #16 and home. As I drew near, I reached into my pocket for my pass. (When I'm headed for the bus stop from home or work, I take the pass out of my wallet and put it in a front pocket.) It wasn't there. I checked my wallet, my other pockets... I started to pull the cash fare out of my wallet. By this time, I was at the bus door, and the driver gestured to me to put it away. He'd seen my search and was willing to let me ride for free. This was a no-go; I'd still have to pay at the station, and I've still got nearly four weeks left on the pass. Instead, I retraced my steps, and finally found the pass in my office, sitting on the desk. There was still a chance of making my connection, taking the #4, which leaves later than the #22 but takes a more direct route. Unfortunately, it was running late, so I missed the #16 at the station. While I was sitting at the #16 bench, the #22 driver came by and called out: "Did you find it?" I told him where it had been, and he said "Good" and went on his way.
These guys know me (and, of course, their other regular passengers).
2. Today, I was heading for the #22, for the ride to the station, where I'd switch to the #16 and home. As I drew near, I reached into my pocket for my pass. (When I'm headed for the bus stop from home or work, I take the pass out of my wallet and put it in a front pocket.) It wasn't there. I checked my wallet, my other pockets... I started to pull the cash fare out of my wallet. By this time, I was at the bus door, and the driver gestured to me to put it away. He'd seen my search and was willing to let me ride for free. This was a no-go; I'd still have to pay at the station, and I've still got nearly four weeks left on the pass. Instead, I retraced my steps, and finally found the pass in my office, sitting on the desk. There was still a chance of making my connection, taking the #4, which leaves later than the #22 but takes a more direct route. Unfortunately, it was running late, so I missed the #16 at the station. While I was sitting at the #16 bench, the #22 driver came by and called out: "Did you find it?" I told him where it had been, and he said "Good" and went on his way.
These guys know me (and, of course, their other regular passengers).