I am sure these coworkers have stories to tell! I can only imagine what sorts of things they have had to pick up, wipe up, or mop up in their day. If there be any sequel to this missive, I am sure the experience of a graffiti cleaner, a floor sweeper, or those that pick up the trash have some interesting tales.
Dipping dots and chicken bones are not high on my list of favorites. Neither are the empty cups of mixed iced coffee or smoothies. Open containers of soda or beer are the biggest bummer, especially when not completely empty. They can fall from the small platform next to the rear seats and get kicked around on the floor, sending a trail of sticky fluid halfway up the aisle. We are supposed to do a walk-through to the back of the coach at every terminal. This is important to see if anyone has left anything by their seat.
I once found a paperback with 500 dollars in an envelope as a bookmark at 14th Avenue and Quintara on the number 6 Line. I put the book up on the dash before I left the outbound terminal. Sure enough, when I started back down the hill to 9th and Judah, two young men rushed into the street in front of the bus and started screaming and waving for me to stop. This was on a dark moonless night. I opened the door and held the book up in hand.
“Envelope? What envelope?” I couldn’t resist. “The money is still there.” They were relieved to say the least. It was rent money. Paying rent by cash in San Francisco is common on grandfather long term leases, but can add to drama and problems when the money disappears!
The other big ticket item was a laptop computer. Fortunately, there was a name and phone number in the case and I was able to call the owner immediately. They were so happy to get that one back. With cell phones, too. I can usually find a recently called number that is a friend of the owner and let them know I have it. In all these cases, I call Central Control as soon as I know I have something, such that when the lost and found passenger calls Muni, Central lets them know when my bus will pass back in their direction. They are so happy to see me coming.
This is probably the nicest feedback and recognition I receive at this job. It can come so quick and simple, and all I have to do is make a sweep of the coach at the end of the line. Not only can this result in the most rewarding gratitude from a passenger, but can prevent a nasty, sticky mosaic of soda or beer in the aisle from the back seat to the front seats! Ice cream on hot day really creates a sticky hazard on the floor. The cone or stick can become stuck to the floor like crazy glue. Once a little girl dropped her ice cream ball atop her cone right on to the lap of a nicely dressed woman going to a job interview. Words to the wise: when going to an interview, take a cab! Or at least bring some detergent wipes, just in case!
And then there is the full cup of joe without a lid. One person tripped up the steps and doused me and my shirt with coffee. Oh well, at least the color matches the uniform! We are allowed to go out of service for up to two hours to get a new shirt, but I kept on going. Here was the opportunity to state why bringing drinks on the bus was not a good idea, and it stuck!
Newly hired car cleaners have been present on the track and in my coach before I pull out in the morning. I see them applying the finishing touches on the windows and cockpit. The floor is freshly mopped. The bus is spotless.
I pick up my first passenger just outside the gate. She quickly noted the wet floors as a potential hazard. I grinned. Enjoy it while it lasts! You’re on a clean bus!
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 