At one time they were. With the lack of support/having ones back, camera phones selectively videoing incidents that really aren’t and an industry being run by those who don’t know what they are in charge of discouraging customer service, it’s no wonder you don’t see too much of this kind of thing anymore. Your survival is best served by keeping quiet and turning your back.
I’ll admit, it’s a sad commentary, but it’s one of the reasons I’m walking away from the business. Interaction has become a negative thing instead of positive. That interaction is what I’ll miss the most - although it’s really been gone over the last 5 years.
Thank you, Elizabeth. This story reminded me of my experiences in Minnesota in 1968-2006-2016.
1968: In St Paul for the first time. I was visiting a girl I had been writing to for four years. I loved St Paul, and she lived in the city.
2006: I was back again in Minnesota to visit her (it's a long story), and she had moved out to the suburbs. I returned to St Paul to retrace my steps from the past, but this time, I needed to take a bus to a Hub where they would pick me up.
On the second trip, I took the bus to the Hub and waited until the family picked me up. No problem at all.
In 2016, I visited the lady again and went back to St Paul. I took the bus into the city in the morning and went through the Hub. In the afternoon, I needed the bus to the Hub and a second bus to the suburbs. This time it I was told that black American gangs and Somali youth used it as a battleground. The black American bus driver refused to let me off because I was white. This great man went off route to get me to the next safe stop.
If all transit workers were like that, bus and subway rides might be more pleasant.
I agree, David. It would go a long way to changing the atmosphere of life, if each passenger would pay the feelings forward.
At one time they were. With the lack of support/having ones back, camera phones selectively videoing incidents that really aren’t and an industry being run by those who don’t know what they are in charge of discouraging customer service, it’s no wonder you don’t see too much of this kind of thing anymore. Your survival is best served by keeping quiet and turning your back.
I’ll admit, it’s a sad commentary, but it’s one of the reasons I’m walking away from the business. Interaction has become a negative thing instead of positive. That interaction is what I’ll miss the most - although it’s really been gone over the last 5 years.
How sad, Ken. I know what you are saying and it makes sense in today's times, but again, how sad.
My Minnesota Comment.
The Bus Ride
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Thank you, Elizabeth. This story reminded me of my experiences in Minnesota in 1968-2006-2016.
1968: In St Paul for the first time. I was visiting a girl I had been writing to for four years. I loved St Paul, and she lived in the city.
2006: I was back again in Minnesota to visit her (it's a long story), and she had moved out to the suburbs. I returned to St Paul to retrace my steps from the past, but this time, I needed to take a bus to a Hub where they would pick me up.
On the second trip, I took the bus to the Hub and waited until the family picked me up. No problem at all.
In 2016, I visited the lady again and went back to St Paul. I took the bus into the city in the morning and went through the Hub. In the afternoon, I needed the bus to the Hub and a second bus to the suburbs. This time it I was told that black American gangs and Somali youth used it as a battleground. The black American bus driver refused to let me off because I was white. This great man went off route to get me to the next safe stop.