TriMetiquette reader Bjorn informed me of the news:
That is unfortunate! I’m all about having a bus driver who tries to make the usually-packed 15 fun, well, as enjoyable a ride as possible. It’s really sad to hear that someone took offense to that particular bus driver’s jokes, which were probably only said over the speaker to honestly make those riding have a better day.
Anyone experience this driver first-hand? I believe Julian over at PDX Pipeline has ridden on his bus before… hopefully he pipes up.
4 comments ↓
I rode this bus the other day and I can see how one might be offended. I just rolled my eyes. Sometimes the bus is great for the sole purpose of zoning out, and the last thing I want is a cheezy joke over the P.A.
But I still appreciate his attempt at bringing humor to us all.
He did say his name was Steve and does drive the 15. I usually catch his bus about 6:45 just on the West side or Morrison Bridge going east. The last time I rode it he did mention that two people had complained and many others had written in to say nice things. I was on this bus last Tuesday or so, and we stopped around SE 10th and Morrison. He said we were running ahead and needed to sit a few minutes. Then he said something like:
I used to tell jokes to pas the time, but a couple of people wrote in and said it felt like they were trapped and I was yelling at them on a megaphone. My boss asked me to tell him a couple and he laughed. About ten of you wrote in saying you liked the jokes. A couple people always spoil for the rest of us.
I’ve been on this bus numerous times when he told jokes. It is usually the most crowded 15 bus I ride, and that is saying a lot for the 15. People would pile onto that bus until there was not an inch left. I once was definitely past the white line that you shouldn’t cross to ride for a couple stops. He once mentioned that people had complained that he let too many people on this bus but they didn’t get off to make it more comfortable the rest. It was highly uncomfortable and I could see people in bad moods b/c of it and therefore feeling annoyed by the jokes.
But…those people…well, they don’t help make the world go round. It was always obvious that most of us were stressed and uncomfortable to be in such close quarters, but that many people enjoyed the guy’s jokes. Plus, they did no harm, the next bus doesn’t come for another 20 or so minutes and is probably just as packed–MORE 15 Buses Please–with many more annoying people and smells then this guy.
Basically, the people who complained are passive-aggressive aholes whose only enjoyment in life is making others unhappy as they are.
Jeez. This is the type of action that gives TriMet a bad reputation. Drivers like this are what makes Portland such a wonderful place. I hope they change the rules, so he can be himself again. I mean, come on, there is so much noise on a bus as it is. Are you really going to tell me that you can’t tune it out if you don’t like it?
[…] from Sweden makes a plea: save Steve! You remember Steve - the TriMet bus driver who helped the bus route 15 riders be a bit more cheery by saying jokes over the […]
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