TriMetiquette reader Ethan wrote me this:
“I always wonder what is the correct way to tell a bus that is coming to a multi-bus stop that you are waiting for a different bus:
1) head shake
2) hand wave
3) other?
Good question! Personally, when I’m waiting for a bus, if a bus I’m waiting to board is coming, I don’t do anything. However, if a bus is coming that I’m not waiting for… and if I’m the only person at the stop… I’ll wave them to go on by.
But with multiple people waiting there at the stop? I’d almost say just don’t do anything. I really do wonder if there’s been a scenario when someone has sorta waved a bus by but another person was wanting to board that bus at the stop.
5 comments ↓
I carry a big sign with a red “X” that states my intentions.
Do you have the corresponding “O” one when it’s not your bus? Or do you just not hold it up when one comes whizzing by?
I (a) don’t make any signals to them– I don’t know if there’s someone on the bus who wants to get off, in which case I don’t want to embarrass myself by waving it by (and waving in any form can be mistaken for a “I want to get on you” wave);
and (b) take a short step back from the curb in order to show the driver that I don’t need to get on his bus, and in order to make room for people if there are other people at the stop who do want to board the bus.
Hmmmf. I’d never before realized how much I’d thought about this!
I’m impressed that the bus will stop if you don’t signal it. Here in Oakland I sometimes have to hail a bus much as I would hail a cab. Especially when a bus pulls up that you don’t need and then the bus you need comes right behind it, I often need to step off the curb onto the street to wave the bus down. Of course, at crowded stops this isn’t a problem. But when I’m the only one waiting the bus will likely pass me by if I don’t signal.
AWESOME SUBJECT!!!
OK…From an operator (course only my opinion)….
Multi-bus stop: Not your bus with other pax there:
Toughie. Ideally, I’d like evryone to wave me off WITH a head nod “NO” as well, but you’re not gonna get that, so just do nothing.
Multi-bus stop, you are only pax there: PLEASE wave me off WITH a head nod “NO” as well. Do the head nod too, cause some folks wave off can look like you are signaling me to come over to the curb.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS ONE…YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH TIME WE WASTE STOPPING AT STOPS WHERE PEOPLE JUST STARE AT US!
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