Driving through black iron gates and circling around parked cars with fogged windows, I proceed to the dimly lit parking garage. With minimal light and dozens of parked cars I continue to the second level to find a space. Loud music, chirp chirp from alarms and slamming doors have become a part of my morning routine. I cut the engine off and gather my belongings for the day all while making the same chirpings noises I heard a few minutes prior. Pulling out what looks like a credit card from my pockets, I tap the black box and the green light appears. I open the metal door and walk through a long hallway. Once I reach the main room there’s plenty of light, round tables with chairs pushed under in various places in a large open space. Posters
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I fold my work paddle six ways to see each trip separately. It’s always important to have my rule book, accident cards and key’s. I also make sure my watch has the correct time to keep myself on schedule. The most important item is the bright yellow safety vest with bright orange strips going down each side of the safety vest that must be worn in the yard at all times.
There’s always people in the seating area. Either waiting for a bus getting ready to walk out on the yard sitting around doing nothing playing pool or watching television. Most of us have become close due to seeing one another often. We usually discuss our work paddles or the current events from the local morning news. Depending on what time of the day we often wonder what the weather would be like for the day. Hoping something in the mid 60’s. Weather like that is an operator’s paradise. Not too cold and not hot. If it’s too hot the sun heats the driver window1 making the drivers area, feel like an …show more content…
Checking the fuel level looking for cracks in the tire also making sure theres no damage to the exterior body of the bus. Once inside I check the air pressure of the breaks and make sure all turn signal lights or fully functioning and I inspect the interior of the bus possible safety hazards. Bus operators are only allowed thirteen minutes to inspect the bus. That’s not a lot of time so you have to work fast and be proficient.
Pulling off towards the North side of the yard I’m usually stopped by other buses making their way to the exit. I follow suit and park my bus at the exit. This is where operators get trash bags for the bus and clean the windows. On good days’ service attendants are outside by the exit and they will spray your bus with air freshener.
Making my way out the yard I drive to my starting point of the route I’m assigned for the day. Pulling up a few minutes early allow me to make sure my destination sign is correct. Passengers can get ugly if they get on the wrong bus. I pick up my first set of passenger and proceed to the end of the route. On good days I have light loads but during rush hour my bus is filled to the max. People are standing and squeezing in wherever there’s room to
I fold my work paddle six ways to see each trip separately. It’s always important to have my rule book, accident cards and key’s. I also make sure my watch has the correct time to keep myself on schedule. The most important item is the bright yellow safety vest with bright orange strips going down each side of the safety vest that must be worn in the yard at all times.
There’s always people in the seating area. Either waiting for a bus getting ready to walk out on the yard sitting around doing nothing playing pool or watching television. Most of us have become close due to seeing one another often. We usually discuss our work paddles or the current events from the local morning news. Depending on what time of the day we often wonder what the weather would be like for the day. Hoping something in the mid 60’s. Weather like that is an operator’s paradise. Not too cold and not hot. If it’s too hot the sun heats the driver window1 making the drivers area, feel like an …show more content…
Checking the fuel level looking for cracks in the tire also making sure theres no damage to the exterior body of the bus. Once inside I check the air pressure of the breaks and make sure all turn signal lights or fully functioning and I inspect the interior of the bus possible safety hazards. Bus operators are only allowed thirteen minutes to inspect the bus. That’s not a lot of time so you have to work fast and be proficient.
Pulling off towards the North side of the yard I’m usually stopped by other buses making their way to the exit. I follow suit and park my bus at the exit. This is where operators get trash bags for the bus and clean the windows. On good days’ service attendants are outside by the exit and they will spray your bus with air freshener.
Making my way out the yard I drive to my starting point of the route I’m assigned for the day. Pulling up a few minutes early allow me to make sure my destination sign is correct. Passengers can get ugly if they get on the wrong bus. I pick up my first set of passenger and proceed to the end of the route. On good days I have light loads but during rush hour my bus is filled to the max. People are standing and squeezing in wherever there’s room to