Forgive me for I have sinned, and used a bus!

[Six Fiend]

Some of my er, green, chums rib me about my car and van use. Today with a day off, the van in for warranty work and some appointments in town (Bristol) I decided to give public transport a fair go.

I dropped the van at Arnos Court and walked up to ITV West studios to catch the #1. Bus arrived very quickly (not #1 but going to bus station, excellent). Driver was a happy jolly type, so far very good.

Then we set off. Every gearchange from the auto box was met with a huge involuntary nod of agreement from everyone on board. Slowing down it was just as jerky. The bus lurched from side to side over bumps and only had a 2 position throttle. To say it was agricultural would insult John Deer.

"Drive" made excellent progress with few clench moments. Very soon we arrived at the bus station. I noted at each stop everyone who got off thanked him. So the obligatory "Cheers Drive!" seemed appropriate and was greeted with "Thank you". So far 20 mins and not too shabby. Apart from the jarring ride leaving me feeling a little like I've just survived a rough channel crossing it does seem it might be bearable...

It was a short walk to the Haymarket to jump on a #75 up to Horfield. I saw one, but I can't do "hurry to bus" so settled for the next one which was only 9 minutes away. That one was soon caught by another according to the bus shelter computery thingy. Then, without rhyme or reason both disappeared. Nothing was showing up at all and 2 buses passed "Not In Service". Neither very full so what was going on? People mumbled. A murmur of discontent from students destined to miss the start of their exams started to rise. We discussed their reliance on buses and I soon learned this event was not too uncommon. They praised my sense of adventure

Then, as if by magic, after 25 minutes, a #75 slew into view and screeched to a halt. Unhappy Drive (UD) waved everyone on furiously, not checking tickets just wanting to go go go go! At the next stop as soon as the last person was on he nailed it. Sod the girl running towards us waving and only 5 yards away! "Too late biatch!" I felt him think.

UD carried on like this for the length of Cheltenham Road and Gloucester Road. His bus was a weapon of sheer fury. Likes buses, hates the feckers who travel on them. At my stop I managed a "Cheers Drive" once again, more out of relief that he actually stopped and let me off. He didn't so much as grunt, just roared off...

The short stumble home, cold, tired and yet only £4 lighter of wallet allowed me time to reflect. It took me an hour and a half of standing, sitting, headbanging and being coughed on to do a 15-20 minute journey.

This is worse than 20 years ago when I last used buses!!!

As for my two appointments back in town, I took the Jag. I was not late. I did not get chilled waiting at a bus stop for buses which may never arrive or may arrive but be driven by satan. I arrived at each calm, tranquil and with time to spare.

So, is it any wonder people still use their cars? I could not guarantee getting anywhere on time today. I need to collect a courtesy vehicle. I can't go now (5:03pm) as the garage closes at 6 and a bus will take until Thursday lunchtime. I'll get a lift at 7:15am tomorrow...

[Andehh]

[pilchardthecat]

How on earth could you have afforded it?

I took my boy on a double decker a couple of years ago so he could sit upstairs. Return trip, 2 miles each way, £9.

[soad]

Should have taken a cab?

Would have been a doddle, and on time too

[ian_touring]

...And don't forget, its also a great way to swap contagious diseases.

[Six Fiend]

soad said:

Should have taken a cab?

Would have been a doddle, and on time too

Cabs to and from my appointments would have cost me £30. Far more than parking and petrol!

[minimatt1967]

That sounds like great fun, not.

[Motorrad]

Last time I was unlucky enough to catch an Omnibus I sat near the driver for fear of all the rough looking, smelly people polluting the thing.

They need first class carriages.

[Six Fiend]

They should also have an express queue for those of us who will get on the bus rather than stand looking at it, and are also capable of having pass/ticket/money at the ready. Honestly, it was like being in a supermarket checkout queue! I wanted to prod people with my travel mug

Ah the travel mug. You cannot possibly drink from it when on the move. It all gets a bit jeux sans frontieres

[Acheron]

I always used to like sitting at the back when i was a student. On those cold horrible wet winter nights where traffic is always at a standstill, it was nice to have a fiarly empty bus with just a couple of mates, kept warm by the engine and not having to worry about junctions, traffic lights or any of that stuff.

But yeah, i wouldnt bother now, busses are st.

[Raize]

I can identify with everything the OP said.

[rottie102]

I live 2miles away from Westfield shopping Centre in London. Need to go clothes shopping tomorrow. After being infuriated by their car park prices (£15 for four hours +), I may decide to suffer the bus journey tomorrow. Wish me luck!

[tmcgurk]

I get the bus twice a day, but only about 10minutes each way. Always seem to get off smelling worse than when I get on!

[Motorrad]

rottie102 said:

I live 2miles away from Westfield shopping Centre in London. Need to go clothes shopping tomorrow. After being infuriated by their car park prices (£15 for four hours +), I may decide to suffer the bus journey tomorrow. Wish me luck!

4 miles? Walk there and enjoy the fresh air.

[rottie102]

Motorrad said:

4 miles? Walk there and enjoy the fresh air.

I may, one way, but don't fancy the walk back with shopping etc.

[Motorrad]

Don't you have a child or other factotum you can use to porter your purchases?

[davidjpowell]

Bristol busses have not improved then. I lived in Horfield for 3 years from 1996 as a student at UWE.

I thought it would be wise to sell my car and rely on public transport to save money. fk me, you could guarentee that if it rained the busses would vanish. completely. Despite the fact that Firs were in the middle of a turf war with another operator who they were trying to get rid of, so were running busses at stupid intervals such as every five minutes.

I lasted 6 weeks, before going car shopping.

[Jayho]

A woman went into labour last time I was on a bus... I win? After a boozy night in town and me being a lightweight needing to get home earlier than the rest decided to take the bus home instead of keep spending money (by that point I was already £80 lighter) Credit to the bus driver that night... Even though with a screaming prego lady on the bus and the ambulances' insistance on him stopping at the town before the last stop, he soldiered on to get us home! Needless to say I threw up for a number of reasons that night.

But yeah, busses are no use to me as going to uni would take me two busses and 1h30mins whereas in the car it takes me 30mins.

[littlebasher]

Hope you remembered to wash your hands afterwards

[Fun Bus]

minimatt1967 said:

That sounds like great fun, not.

Of course it wasn't fun. It wasn't my bus.