Busses on the fly

Let me tell you something about public transportation. By and Large, the whole bussing thing is one of the smartest ideas and often very poorly implemented. The purpose of the bus is to get people from one place to another without all of them having to fend for themselves. In principle, this is a a great concept.

However, it would appear that many bus drivers have less than conscientious concern for their waiting passengers. Apologies to any bus driver out there that is concerned for the welfare and comfort of their passengers and potential passengers...

Let me illustrate. I once got on a bus in another American city. At first, I was thinking, well we'll see how long this takes and whether this was a good choice or not. Within seconds, the wild-eyed looks of the other passengers had alerted me to some form of difficulty. Then it hit me. "It" was gravity.

The bus driver, again not in Toledo, was speeding from stop to stop, from red light to red light, taking turns at 2 G's and on one-side wheels only. I got to say that I was more than a little bit concerned. It was funny but at the same time, not so much so. He sped from stop to stop overcoming every obstacle and leaving behind waiting passengers who couldn't make it to the blurringly quick door openings and closings. I thought, at that time, how fortunate they were.

The movie "Speed," is a good movie by the way, not so much the sequel, but the first movie-really enjoyed it. Funny, pretty girl drives bus at high speeds due to bomb installed while handsome man risks life to save heroic passengers and to romance girl on the side. Very neat. Anyway, where was I?

Oh yes, light speed bus ride. Finally, our bus driver, who was a guy, thought I'd add that for all those sexists out there... Anyway, this guy, finally screeches to a hault at one of the bus stops in front of a gas station.

By the way, Speedway gas station rewards program is good and they have good frozen slushies although you get enough to make you sick for a very decent price and while a buck or so is good for a shlushie it is not good for a tummy-ache. Coincidentally, they sell gas.

Anyway, this guy loads two passengers who were very quick to jump aboard the death bus with us. My friends and I are thinking whether we can get off, we have no idea where we would be and how to get to our destination but just as our conversation reaches the point of planning the bus driver beats us to the punch line.

He jumps off the bus and runs across a small field and into the bath room. No sign of him for ninety seconds or so while the stunned passengers wait and wonder. Then, here he comes running back into the bus and jumps in his seat without so much as a, "When ya' gotta' go ya' gotta go."

I'm thinking, "When you have to go, you have to go." I'm thinking, "Now maybe things will slow down a little bit." But, no, evidently the little break cost too much time and the rest of the ride is insane as well. Until, we catch up to a bus in front of us who is evidently running behind schedule. Our bus tailgates the other bus until we arrive at our stop which we are lickety-split to exit cause otherwise we fear we will be trapped on the bus. No kidding, one of my friends had to fight the door cause he was next to the last and his wife was last and they were almost forever separated by the door and the impended speeding off of the bus. His heroism and consideration went unnoticed I think by anyone but me, but as a reward he kept his wife.

The bus ride back to the university where we were staying was calmer but after that we drove down town and paid to park. Personal safety should be a factor in any buying decision.

I have watched a bus speed by as school children race to be noticed. I think the whole thing is an analogy for life. People are constantly being left behind and their needs dismissed because the person who is supposed to be in a position to help them is focused on the next milestone.

Here's a thought, "Let nothing be done out of Selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Consider that whatever it is that you have opportunity to do in this life will affect passengers at every stop, during every changed of direction, and maybe just plain always. So, make your route a good one (read considerate) and take it aggressively but be considerate of others. You'll get wherever He wants you to get and you may just help someone else get there too.

Pastor Dan
newheightsfellowshipchurch.org