Knowledge is Power and Income
Category Archives: Transportation
Dragging the Line
When a coach in front of me seems to be taking longer than usual to leave the zone ahead of me, I must remember the one block spacing rule and slow down also to keep a healthy space between buses. This is usually an issue on Mission Street, where multiple lines parallel each other for …
Headway
“When is the next bus coming?” “Is there another bus behind you?” “How long before you go?” All of these questions are actually about headway. Headway is the time in minutes between buses. People usually ask me what is the best line to drive. And I say to you now the real question is, “What …
All alone: Let the Show Begin
On Mission Street. Old timers don’t mind being all alone on Mission. As a new operator I just could not fathom this. No coach visible in front looking up from Second Street to Tenth St., or looking up from 14th to 22nd. If I didn’t see my leader in front of me as I left …
School Trip
The skills needed by teachers are helpful in being a transit operator on school trips. I don’t like receiving a coach from relief that has had a morning school trip where fast food wrappers and spilled drink cups litter the floor. I keep in mind the rider on her way to an important job interview, …
Blind Spots
Our New Flyer Trolleys will have an important modification over the first order of motor coaches. The left side of our exterior mirrors will be below our line of sight, and not above. This elevation change means we can turn left and see where we are headed. We still have the stanchion between the front …
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 …
Past Half Way
Passengers using the rear door button to board in the rear must remember all coaches are not equal. Some buses require that you hold the button until the doors are opened at least half way. On other buses, the doors will slam shut and the chance to board may end right there. The three-tap rule, …
One Armed Bandit
I picked up my papers for my second part and the superintendent, who was by the second desk, commented on my holding a cup of coffee in my right hand and, paddle in the left. He suggested that I not bring personal items into the dispatcher’s office while doing business. I smiled, as I remembered …
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 …
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 