“Last stop people.” Another day closes. I can pull in knowing I passed the test in avoiding collisions with other cars, trucks, pedestrians, skaters, and cyclists. Most important, I didn’t make contact with any rideshare drivers looking down at their phone and being inattentive. The thousands of ride share cars coming in daily from out-of-county …
Author Archives: driverdoug2002
Have It Ready
Guys, I did it! I kept the same job for over 21 years and got out clean! I got my retirement paperwork done three months before my 62nd birthday—on February 13th, 2020—one month before Covid hit. I did my last run on June 2nd, 2020. That morning I woke from a dream of smiling faces …
Alamo Square – The Painted Ladies
Named by Mayor James Van Ness in 1856, this 12.7 acre park in the middle of Victorian mansions built during the 1870’s to the 1920’s, was noted as a watering hole in between the commandant’s quarters in the Presidio and Mission Delores Basilica, both occupied and controlled by the Spanish, who were the first European …
Vision Zero
Look up and look left before crossing.
Stop Request–Old Dog New Tricks
The carrot or the stick?
Gate Hoppers
So in talking to a young man on my bus who lives in a far away suburb, about why he doesn’t show a pass to ride, is because he isn’t concerned about the financial health of our railway budget, but only of his income. He transferred from a restaurant in Antioch, a suburb a good …
Behind the Yellow Line
“Please move back. I need you to step back behind the yellow line while the coach is in motion.” I state, when the coach is full: Or, if someone does not have their fare ready and they are looking in their pockets or hand bag for change, I say, “I can’t see my mirrors.” The …
Helter Skelter Shelter – Rear Door Boarding
My views are based upon my years of experience and may go contrary to my union’s view, based upon many operators with much experience. Union members are elected by the group of operators, and my chapter essays are only taking my personal view into account. My star-cast and life reading from the Cayce society point …
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Twenty Questions
This is a fun game to play, as is Charades, in a large group at a party. But if that party is a waiting queue on Market Street on Fourth or Fifth, the game becomes no fun real fast as the lights go red again, and the buses back up behind the red lane in …
Flu Shot
It is understandable in this busy bustling city why we forget to do certain things we need to get done for our own well being. Some years I miss getting my free flu shot at The Permanente Medical Group because I never slow down enough to review my day or prioritize deadlines. The good news …
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 