10.30.07
Morning Driver new to route
Morning
The driver said he was new to the route when I asked why we weren’t moving. I had to ask if I had somehow missed my usual bus and caught the very last one because the driver was farting around wasting time for who knew what reason. He responded that the bus was to leave at 6:45. I corrected that the 2nd-to-last bus was to depart at 6:40. He then recognized that he had been looking at the wrong part of the display and was new to the route. The newness really showed as we came off the freeway at 600 South and he failed to turn left at 400 West. Instead, he took us East to State before turning north. Trying to make the best of it, I got off at 300 S. State and made the extra distance. It was a bit of a pain but I could use the edxcercise. It is days like today that I am glad to have brought my bike along. The bike helped me make short work of an otherwise awkward bus experience.
Afternoon
2nd to the last bus was LATE once again. This time by 9 minutes. Traffic was cooperative on the freeway and the driver was able to make up all the time but one (1) minute. And by the time we made it to 7800 South we were one (1) minute ahead of schudule! You have to appreciate the disclaimer on the UTA schedules. It reads, ‘Timepoints are approximate and may vary due to road and traffic conditions.” They should probably append to that, “and driver inexperience, GPS difficulties, leaving the station on time, etc.”
10.24.07
Last bus ‘o the day
Afternoon
I was delayed in a meeting at work until after five pm and had to catch the last bus of the day. I hate to try for the last one in the case that all the bike slots are full. I would be forced to take the SLOW trax and stand with my bike in the stairwell area. Yuck! Alas, the bike rack was empty BUT I found no available seats. Another gentleman and myself had to stand, clinging to poles, for a good portion of the ride. Still better than trax!
Many times when I take my bike on the bus the driver will hand me a laminated card (about 4″x11″) to hold for the bus ride. I have never really figured out what this card does. Because it lists lost-and-found information I GUESS it serves the purpose of reminding me to get my bike and accessories when I exit the bus. Today I asked the driver as I exited and she explained to me that when I hand this card to the driver it means “I am going to step in front of the bus” so they are to set the parking brake. Every new rule and law exist for the reason to prevent a previous occurrence of something perceived bad. I have to wonder how many cyclists were run over before the UTA figured out this lifesaver.
10.15.07
Day 2
Morning
I took a little more time getting out the door this morning because I needed to add air to my bicycle tires, but I knew I would get to the bus stop before the second-to-the-last-one at 6:40am. I arrived at precisely 6:35 and was the first one in line–but no bus. I expected to see it at any moment, but there was no sign until 6:40 when I saw the “last” bus come up the street to make the turn around. It didn’t come back to my stop until 6:45 and then left promptly at 6:46 (right on time). I am miffed that the bus can be early or late with no apparent consequence but I am penalized for both early AND late arrivals…waiting in the cold when early, and missing the bus if I am late!
As we rode along the route toward downtown, I saw another bus of the same number as mine pass us along the way. That means that I DID indeed catch the second to the last bus but it was late 
.
