D.C. Metro Bus Driver's Get Paid Exuberant Pay/OT To Drive Around In Empty Buses!


My I should have drove today! I was waiting just before the corner of 11th and F Sreets, NW for the metro bus #42 to take me to the corner of 9th and G Streets, NW about 3-4 blocks away. Well, today's my lucky day I thought as there were two #42 buses, labeled Metro Center) back-to-back. Both end the trip at the same time and both start the next trip at the same time , I observed! Was this something new?

The first one (bus #2218) keeps right on driving not in the least bit pulling over to the curb to the stop. I could not believe it. Then more unbelieveable was the second bus (#2218) right behind it and he starts to do the same until I step out yelling for him to stop. He squeals his brakes in the middle of the street. I loudly say to him when he opens the door, "do you not see people standing at the bus stop?" All hell starts to break loose! He yells back at me that the stop is not a bus stop and no one usually gets on there and it's the end of the line. Now how can it be al of those things at one time. And I remind him that it is a bus stop and the sign clearly reads "42" and he says it's my fault and I was suppose to get on the bus ahead! What the hell!!!??? Talk about an outter limit moment. How does he try to flip it around and place those two buses passing up me and other passengers as my fault? I then say, "how do you think you can get paid for riding around with empty buses?" He continues to yap and the moment I said, "I will see what the supervisors have to say," he immediately shuts down...that is, until he gets to the "real" end of the line. I say to him while getting off the bus, "I wonder how many people lose their jobs due to the foolisheness of the metro bus drivers that like to by pass riders waiting to get to work?

Once off the bus, I walk around looking for a supervisor. I have been told in the past that any of them can be seen about any issues a customer may have with a driver. I go downstairs to the Gallery Place and Metro Center substations to see about getting in contact with a street supervisor...it's amazing how clueless these station managers can be. I guess the female manager felt she did her job by giving me what I already have, the number for complaints...I tossed it to the floor. I didn't manage to find a supervisor at that time, but I will before the evening is over, I'm sure.

My goodness. I never thought I would have such disdain and feelings of ill-will for any person...but I absolutely deplore the bulk of this Metro Bus establishment. I don't even look at them when I board the buses orwhen I see one in uniform walk pass. I should have started this blog this first day I started getting on these buses. The things I see and hear of these drivers. Whe will people start to earn their paychecks. Such a waste of money for such pissy service. No control whatsoever...

Costly gas prices, risking vehicle damage/theft, possible ticketing/towing, potholes are all appearing not such a bad thing when trying to decide wheter or not to take D. C. metro transportaion.