Read this interesting story from The Sentinel last weekend about a TriMet bus driver who was unsure where to go for her route. Apparently this wasn’t the first time the story’s author had to guide a bus driver along the designated route.
I will say, I’ve always wondered how much time bus drivers get to learn their new route. Do they take it by themselves in their own car / means of transportation to see which way to go? Or are they thrown to the wolves and told to just go and use directions the day-of?
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They’re apparently thrown to the wolves during work hours . I can’t count how many times I’ve been on a bus where everybody was coaching the driver on where to go (including one crash due to a last second turn). Granted, LO can be a bit tough to navigate in the Mt Park area, especially at night. But c’mon, they’re a transit agency.
I’ve been on several amusing trips on the 10 Harold. The traffic circle in Ladd’s Addition seems to baffle new drivers. I’ve been on a bus that circled several times trying to figure out which road to turn on. One time the driver turned down the wrong road. Take it from me, Ladd’s Addition’s streets were not designed with bus navigation in mind
Was on a bus once where the driver made a wrong turn, and it diverted us maybe 1-2 stops. I was amazed at how pissed off passengers were that the driver made a mistake. We were maybe 4 minutes delayed?
People. Sigh.
As a bus driver, I can say that there are a few turns onto streets that do not have signs. That can be a challenge. We definitely appeciate passenger help when we are on a line we have not driven.
Most of us do drive a line in our own cars before we begin a sign up, or ride the route on a bus, if possible.
We have a slew of new full time operators who fall to the extra board, so thanks for your patience, and your help.
I always gave out free day passes to passengers who helped guide me.
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