Top 10 Things I Will Miss About The Bus

After being a daily bus commuter for 35 years, I did the unthinkable… I got a parking pass and started driving to work.

Last year, my office relocated just a few kilometres away from our previous job site. In theory, that move should not have created much of a disruption to my commute, but in reality, my total daily commuting time crept up to a 2 ½ to 3 hours.

After 35 years of doing the right thing for the environment and in doing my part in not cluttering up arterial roads, I felt the balance had sufficiently tipped. Three hours per day was a huge overhead cost to me personally. But once I got into the driving habit and I reclaimed some serious time in my day, every day, I knew this was the right decision for me.

However, I do want to express my deepest gratitude to our bus company, OC Transpo, for getting me where I needed to go throughout my high school, university and career years. It was efficient, affordable, reliable service. I was a clear supporter.

After 35 years, there will be some things I will miss:

10 – The “cosiness” of a bus filled to capacity with fellow commuters;

9 – The boundless generosity of commuters who demonstrated huge courage in leaving their sick bed, braving the work day and selflessly sharing their cough and cold germs with their fellow commuters;

8 – The extreme warmth of buses on cold winter mornings, especially when the bus heater is cranked up full blast on a morning when commuters are dressed in multiple layers including a parka;

7 -The new friendships that form when standing with the same people at the same bus stop for more than half an hour;

6 – The feast for the senses presented through the wide range of aromas one can encounter on a given bus ride. I will especially miss the intoxicating cocktail of aromatic wet wool, fried food, body odour and heavy perfume;

5 – The playful taps from fellow commuters and their seemingly limitless requirement for carry-on luggage;

4 – The spirit of competition in making it to the “park-and-ride” lot before parking spaces run out;

3 – The exercise in quick problem-solving skills for quickly finding alternate routes to navigate around unexpected traffic problems;

2 – The lessons in patience when a bus runs late;

1 – The lessons in gratitude when it finally shows up!

All kidding aside, thank you OC Transpo for a great 35 year ride together! I really appreciate it!

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Have a great day,
André