Bus Driver and Public Transit Nightmares

Have you ever had problems with your bus driver? Or do you have any other "memorable" experiences from using public transit? I've had an ongoing problem with the public transportation service where I live. Read below...


The imprudence of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority continues to amaze me. Starting sometime in February, I noticed some of my bus drivers using cell phones while driving. At first I thought I was hallucinating, but then I realized that nobody else on the bus was talking. Then I saw the driver holding the phone. There have been two incidents when I could specifically tell that the driver was making a personal call, because both times the different drivers said, “No, I’m at work right now,” to the person on the other end.

In early March I called VTA three separate times to report inappropriate cell phone use. Some of the operators took me seriously, but there was one in particular who tried to explain it away. I was told that, if the radio on the bus is not working, drivers are authorized to use their cell phones to communicate with VTA headquarters. Ok fine. But not while driving.

After the middle of March I stopped calling in complaints, but I didn’t stop paying attention. I’ve been in buses with drivers on their phones around fifteen times so far. This morning was another instance, but I was so infuriated that this was continuing I called VTA again. This time I talked to a supervisor!

The supervisor’s name was Paula, and man did she shed some light on the situation. At first I was pleased when she said that VTA is aware of the situation and they are “cracking down” on drivers. I asked for some reassurance that VTA would never allow such a dangerous situation to happen again, and she told me that VTA is doing the best that it can. But, Paula continued by explaining that it is very difficult to prevent the drivers from using their phones. The solution she gave was this: keep calling in to report bus drivers who use their phone while driving. Wait. Let me get this straight. VTA is telling me to look out for the safety of myself, fellow passengers, and other drivers on the road; meanwhile, I have paid to ride on their bus. I asked Paula if VTA frequently receives calls such as mine. She said that they “always” do.

Given the situation, one might wonder why I don’t use an alternate method of transportation. I would love to, but given my situation I have to use VTA several times a week. But the issue here is larger than just me. The irresponsibility of the VTA is placing countless people at risk, whether they are inside the bus or driving in traffic. The Authority claims that citations are issued to drivers who are reported, but it is ineffective and unsafe to use customers as watchdogs. Overall, the Santa Clara VTA has been unapologetic and has only offered excuses in regard to an issue that is too important to ignore.

Jam it back in, in the dark.