NYC bus driver reveals how to handle passengers who refuse to pay: ‘We don’t challenge it’
When nature calls on the bus
In this bustling city, I was curious about how lady bus drivers manage to take bathroom breaks during their shifts.
Lisa Turner, a veteran NYC bus driver for 24 years, explained:
“Most depots have a ladies’ room at the end of the line where we can take quick breaks. If it’s urgent, we just call the office and say, ‘I’m taking a personal break.’
“Then we inform the passengers, ‘It’s an emergency. I need to use the ladies’ room. Please wait or I can give you a transfer, or you can catch the next bus.’ ”
As one gets older, the need for bathroom breaks becomes more frequent, Turner mentioned: “It happened to me. I felt the urgency. So I called in and informed my passengers that I needed to go to the bathroom. Some waited, took the next bus, or started walking.”
“I work overnight shifts from 12 am to 9:30 am.
“My regular route is the B47. I’ve had some challenging experiences. If there’s a mechanical issue, I call for help, and a truck is sent to assist. I then transfer the passengers to the next bus.”
“We avoid confrontations. If a passenger refuses to pay, we don’t escalate the situation or cause problems with other passengers.
“I’m from Queens, Jamaica. I started as a cleaner.
“Transit promoted me to bus operator, and I learned in seven days. It was a scary transition. I wanted to go back initially. I even cried the first four days. But my instructor believed in me and encouraged me to continue.
“Shifts are a minimum of eight hours, with some paying 12 hours.
“Even at my age, I avoid conflicts with other drivers on the road. Maybe if I were younger, things would be different.”
All shook up
I recalled one of my own experiences during an earthquake.
It was when Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” was released. I was at a rehearsal in a smaller theater before the Oscars.
I was a guest sitting in the center. Suddenly, a giant dinosaur from “Jurassic Park” appeared on stage.
At that moment, there was a real earthquake, coinciding with the opening of the dinosaur’s mouth.
Chandeliers fell, walls shook, lights went out, and people screamed. It felt like the dinosaur had roared.
Later, there was an aftershock. The chandelier in my hotel swayed dangerously.
I still haven’t seen “Jurassic Park.”
There’s a new film called “Challengers” for tennis fans. It features Zendaya.
The film is all about Zendaya. Some say it’s bold, but I prefer not to comment on that.
Conflict in our lives starts early, even before college. These days, third graders could easily get scholarships to reform schools. Our juvenile delinquents are too well armed.
And it’s not just in New York, kids, it’s everywhere.
