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22 mei 2006
Bus Breakdown Adventure
THE BUS STARTED BEEPING on the way home. I looked up to see riders on the packed #4 looking curiously up at the driver and exchanging fleeting "no clue" looks with each other before the beeping bus sighed to a rolling stop in front of County Farm Park on Washtenaw. Ypsidixit loves surprises and anything that breaks a routine. The blue-haired hospital worker next to me asked how far Arborland was, and I said a quarter mile or so. She took off. Other riders stood up and began filing off, walking down the grassy bank to the path running alongside County Farm Park. As the resigned driver chatted with HQ on the BusPhone, Y. rigged her bike off and scooted onto the path. I wove among the walkers and biked on ahead.
Glancing back at the tired exodus, I had a Walter Mitty moment. Follow me, my people! I will lead you to safety! Follow the beacon of my gleaming silver helmet! Don't give up! People with water bottles, share your water! Onwards!
Y. left her people at the next stop and on a lark biked powerfully up the hill to Arborland, where she caught the next #4 and rejoined her people, who'd gotten on at the stop by the breakdown. Safe at last. Crisis averted. Y. sank back into her magazine, thankful for the bit of excitement and opportunity for heroism.
Posted by ypsidixit at 22 mei 2006 19:28
Comments
I hasten to say that AATA breakdowns are extremely rare events. It's happened only twice to me, during my two daily rides over the past million years. And it's fun when it happens, anyways.
Posted by: Laura at 22 mei 2006 19:49
Never had an AATA break down in the bazillion rides I've taken
Posted by: Prufrock at 23 mei 2006 00:28
It's super-rare. In my experience I can rely on the AATA to be on time, all the time. Just a flukey breakdown, no big deal. I didn't mind.
Posted by: Laura at 23 mei 2006 00:44
My husband drives the #4 in the late afternoon/evenings, but he didn't break down yesterday. I bet you see him sometimes. He's only been working for AATA since December, and he's had a few breakdowns, but nothing serious. They are pretty quick to get new buses out when it happens though.
Posted by: tricia at 24 mei 2006 11:44
There was one youngish driver I was chatting to not long ago who said he'd been working there only a few months; I wonder if that was the same gentleman.
Yes, they are indeed quick to get out replacements when a breakdown happens.
Posted by: Laura at 24 mei 2006 11:46