Minor Mishaps
Posted by Fred Jandt
Mass Transit magazine editor
I like the four seasons as much as the next guy, but come on, enough with the snow already. It all started innocently enough — we were supposed to get our second big snow storm of the season — but then it went wrong from there.
Ever had one of those days? Where it seems like everything just won’t go right? That’s my day as I write this. First I have to fight with the snowblower to get it started and clear out the driveway, only to have to do it again once the plow goes by.
Then my DSL goes out. So I head to the local public Wi-Fi location (McDonalds) and get a little work done. Finishing that up, I was able to get my service provider to visit and check on why I had no Fi. It seems somebody put the wrong part in the neighborhood routing station (or something).
Anyway, my Wi-Fi is back up. Just in time for me to catch a quick bite to eat. Unfortunately the snow hasn’t stopped and now I can’t get back into my driveway. So back to the snowblower. Except I’m out of gas. Shovel it is.
An hour later and a bucket of salt lighter I can get back into my driveway.
So I can finally sit down to write my blog. And after all that, I sit here and marvel at everyone in transit who does this every day with not one, but a thousand vehicles.
To fight to get your fleet started, your yards plowed, routes run (while dodging plows) and doing it all on time in just about any type of weather is an impressive feat. I don’t think most riders realize just what goes on behind the curtain so to speak. They just expect the bus to be at their spot when it’s supposed to be.
Getting those buses and trains to run on time is a monumental task in itself, but to do it in inclement weather is an even greater achievement. I’ve ridden buses at agencies in subzero temperatures, temperatures in excess of 100 degrees F, snow, rain, wind and even the dead of night.
The one common factor? A driver who didn’t complain about his lot in life. A driver who knew the importance of being at their stops on time.
As we head into 2010, I just wanted to start off the year with a hearty pat on the back and good luck as we look forward to another record-breaking year in transit.
Thanks for reading the MT Position updated every Friday,
Fred
fred.jandt@cygnusb2b.com
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January 8th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
There is nothing so wonderful to watch as a high-paid professional in a $300 suit digging their late-model luxury vehicle out of the snow with a little plastic shovel that breaks. I smile as I watch from the window of my bus or train as I ride past, comfortable and warm, on my way to work. Now that’s a transit advertisement waiting to happen. Thank you, Fred, for pointing it out.