Look, Up In The Sky - It's A Bird, It's A Plane....

It's A....
PASSENGER!

Some things are just worthy of repeating.

Like, "GET MY ATTENTION"

It's summertime at the moment, I have the benefit of full light in the morning and evening to see you at the stops, so when Winter comes all this will change.
But for now, I can see the stop a block or two before I reach it.
I can see people running to the stop a block or so in either direction.

If you're still coming down the block to the stop and you see me rolling up, wave at me.
Run at me, get my attention.
If you can see the front of the bus (me behind the wheel) odds are I can see you.
I'm looking.
As I roll up to stops, I'm scanning both sides of the street and I'm looking for "runners"

Runners are passengers who are not at the stop by the time the bus arrives but see the bus and start booking it.
I'm not a saddist, if I see you I'll pull over and pick you up so you don't have to run the whole way to the stop.
If you're coming down the block, I'll slow to a creep so you know I saw you and will wait.

One note: I creep while traffic permits.
What's that mean?
Well, as long as I can fly from one stop to another, I can spend the extra moment or two waiting for passengers at stops.
If traffic is jam packed, I can't fly so that means YOU have to fly.

Back to the topic;
I try to make sure I don't miss anybody and give everybody a chance to make it to the stop.
If you're on your phone, have your music in your ears and either don't see me or simply ignore me as I roll up - I have no way of knowing whether you're just a person walking the streets or a passenger needing a ride.
I'll leave and you'll give me that "you're number one" hand signal and look as I drive away.

Neither of us want that.

What you want is to get my attention if you have not made it to the stop on time.
Wave, flash the flashlight, do a jig, throw your small children...
Anything to get my attention - anything short of touching the bus and putting your safety at risk, that is.

I want to be able to have that motion catch my attention and me see you - pick you up and both of us make it to the destination quickly and safely.

As always, "Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!"