Pip Squeak: Guelph Public Transit – NEVER Again!
When my husband needed our van this morning for work he had forgotten I had an appointment at the mall for a haircut. It is one of my favourite pamperings these days. Melanie at Volum Salon in Stone Road Mall in Guelph, Ontario works wonders! She actually did Poppet’s first hair cut last night when we popped in. Not wanting to cancel my appointment I suggested he drop me off and I would take the bus home. I hopped online and quickly looked up the route. There was a bus that went straight from the mall to our doorstep practically. No worries! Sounded like an adventure! Boy, was I ever right, and NOT in a good way!
I had my hair done and then wandered around the mall for a bit. Stopped at the dollar store to pick up a cookie tray and some ribbon for another Thrifty Thursday project, picked up some magnetic alphabet letters for Poppet at Toys ‘R Us and headed to the bus stop with 5 minutes to spare. Not sure which pillar to wait at (as none of them were marked) I picked the one with the most people and hunkered down. The bus didn’t come. In fact, every bus driver I asked if I was in the right spot was very unhelpful. And it wasn’t just me. 3 other people asked drivers for info. One said, “They don’t train us on routes” and moved on. Another, “Go downtown and get yourself a map”. Yet another, “Don’t ask me, I just drive the bus”. Finally, 10 minutes late my bus arrived (not at my pillar, oh well, small inconvenience – would be great if they’d list the routes that stop at which ones). I walk to the bus, pop in my money while the driver ate his lunch. Lifted up the stroller and went to find a seat.
Before I got seated, he took off. I was tossed back and forth, trying desperately just to get the brakes on the stroller set so Poppet would be secure. Landed in a seat and set in for the ride of my life!
This driver of bus #170, Route 2A (that I caught at Stone Road at 11:47 am), drove this bus like he was driving an indy car. No fewer than 5 times did I have to catch Poppet’s stroller from completely falling over. And I have a VERY sturdy, balanced stroller. He whisked through residential areas, taking curves like he was making a turn on a ski hill. He was constantly on and off the gas. When he started, he flew! And when he stopped, it was on a dime. IT WAS THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE PUBLIC TRANSIT RIDE I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! I contemplated getting off after 5 minutes and taking a taxi. I fully believe I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT TRIP!
At one point I asked the lady sitting across from me, “Do you take Guelph Buses a lot?” ”All the time,” came the reply. ”Are they always like this?” ”He’s 10 minutes late,” she said, “think he’s trying to make up time.”
When we finally reached our stop I took Poppet in her stroller off the bus without properly bundling her up, because I COULDN”T while he was driving. I’ve been home for over 1/2 an hour, and I still FEEL LIKE THROWING UP! Update: After being home for almost 2 hours I finally feel normal again. I feel like the time I went on the Octopus ride at the CNE and they didn’t stop it. Kids were hurling, and even when we yelled at them to end the ride, they just laughed and wouldn’t. If I can at all help it this will be my FIRST AND LAST experience with Guelph Public Transit. Thought it would open up a whole new world of opportunity for me to explore the city. Shame.
Warmest regards,
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I am sorry, I know it’s rude but I am sitting at my desk laughing like a loon! I grew up in Philadelphia and took the bus every day into adulthood so I absolutely know what you are saying. Some of those drivers are horrible. It almost seemed it was like a game to them, who could they knock down, etc. On the other hand some are very sweet. One driver used to come out of the bus to help me with my daughter’s stroller.
I am sorry you had a bad adventure but try to laugh about it now! I stopped over from Blog Her and I am your newest follower.
Happy New Year
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Don’t be sorry at all! I’m sure I’ll laugh at it sometime in the near future!
Now, this would be my opportunity to convince my husband we need another car but then again I am usually always angling for something we don’t really need, according to my dear, lovely husband. I do thank the dear lord I have him because he keeps my big eyes for wanting it all in check LOL. Anyway, sorry you had such a tough experience with public transportation and I do know it can be rough, I have ridden them all and all over, from Europe to New York City,Chicago,Boston and every major city. It is tough when you have motion sickness. I guess all I can do is commiserate with you and hope you don’t have to ever experience it again.
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Thanks for sharing this experience with me. This is not how anyone should be treated and I have forwarded this onto the manager of Guelph transit for you.
Thank you,
Cam Guthrie
Councillor – City of Guelph – Ward 4
Thank you very much for your help!
I sent this to the Guelph mayor and councilors. This is what I wrote:
To Whom It May Concern:
I just read this as a subscriber to this blog, and I want to tell you how disgusted and angered I was to read it. I hope someone—the mayor or a councillor, or all—take immediate action. Clearly, greater oversight of service standards is needed; or more exacting audits of service, or more effective penalties. I can’t believe how indifferent and lethargic these drivers are, and I can’t believe how breezy they are in abusing your tax-paying transit patrons!
Sounds like a heel of a ride. If it’s any consolation I rode the bus from downtown to the mall Tuesday and apparently they just changed all of the routes this week. All of the buses are late because a) the new schedules leave the drivers less time according to the lady tending the transit info. booth at the Quebec St. mall and b)everyone’s confused, so they hold up the buses trying to ask the drivers questions. Unfortunately it’s very frustrating for everyone involved. I hate to say it, but I especially don’t envy the drivers, having to take the brunt of our frustration all day, then getting in trouble for being late on their routes. At least us passengers can go home after and put our feet up and maybe resolve not to take the bus again until things settle down a little. Still, there has to be a better way to deal with stress than to risk people’s safety, no? (I should mention that I had my own difficulties– it was at least -10 and one bus left me behind because there were two double strollers and my single trying to get on, and the driver wouldn’t let us all on. The others looked more needy so I went and had a hot drink and waited 30 mins. for the next bus).
Thanks for the info! I imagine it must be frustrating! However, the lack of nice answers was the least of my concerns. After 2 hours I’m only just starting to feel normal again. Hope they are able to find a compromise. As for me, just not so sure I’m willing to give it another shot.
Boo. That’s horrible! You should send this post to their head department.
Done. As well as to the 2 local papers. It really was THAT bad!