Thank You for Riding

Or so went the announcement we could cue up with our DVAS (Digital Voice Activated System.) But under new management, with the service cuts to our riders, this manually activated announcement was removed. Does this mean thanks are no longer needed? Ha ha. Just kidding. Sometimes I do get in trouble for ad-libbing on the PA or mic. Very few coaches have a clean and clear PA’s, and when I have a good one, it helps when the coach is crowded. When I have been a passenger on a crowded coach, and standing in the aisle, it’s very hard to see where the coach is, especially at night. I have learned from riding Muni, that calling out the stops helps people get ready to get to the door.

Timing is everything, as they say. If there is construction ahead, or a bus zone is blocked by a big truck, it is nice to open the doors nearside and let them know they can get off here. And make sure it is safe; no bikes or skaters are coming up from the rear. The mic really comes in handy when I am pulling in or going out of service. I sometimes don’t have to repeat myself when everyone is in the know. I have also found that if I am willing to pop the brake and step out of the cockpit and face “the audience,” I get a much more positive response in clearing the coach. I always have to mindful of my tone of voice. If I end the sentence on an upbeat note, and not an annoyed or aggravated tone, this does wonders. I am always amazed at how quickly I forget the impression I am making by how I sound. My overhead voice can go south real quick if I am impatient or feel entitled about why I think they should know my bus is going out of service. But a smile and a transfer at the box is usually all it takes.

Adding some messages under the safety cue might help, such as in the rain: “Thanks for shaking the water off your umbrella before boarding!” Some of these newer umbrellas are huge and carry lots of water! The extra water on board makes for a slippery step, and creates a jungle-like humidity in the bus which fogs up the windows. The key to keeping the windows clear, especially the front windscreen, is to hold the doors open as long as possible. This lets in the fresh air and prevents the humidity from going up too high.

When I am standing at a long red light, I keep the rear doors open, and this keeps the fresh air circulating. No one likes a puddle on their seat, so all of the side windows are closed. Also the ceiling vents have been known to create a puddle on the floor if they were left open the night before, or while in service. I always try to secure the hatches and windows if I am pulling out in the rain. Holding the doors open as long as possible keeps the air fresh and keeps my mirrors clear from fogging up. There is nothing worse than closed windows and high humidity from all the umbrellas and jackets that are wet. Keeping visibility at a max is mastered when the rear doors are held open and the baby heat settings are set for both the coach climate and the driver climate. I recently did a coach trade in the monsoon season, and had fog everywhere. But by holding open the doors, and adjusting the heat down, after just a few stops, the windows cleared.

Holding the doors open and keeping the heat to the low settings, was a gift from an old timer who had clear windows. I was at the terminal and noticed his windows were clear. His rear doors were open even though it was raining and we were at the end of the line. He came to my door and I complained I couldn’t see my mirrors. “Does your bus have a better defroster?” I asked. And it was then when he explained on how he kept his windows clear: baby heat in front and back, and leave the doors open at the terminal and long red lights. I have never had to get out some newspaper and wipe the windows since. Nice. We now return you to your Zen zone, already in progress!