Overheard in the Driver's Room:
"Some people just aren't happy unless they are making other people miserable."
Of course my first thought was that this applies perfectly to the Union.
Their motto MUST be:
"We just aren't happy unless we're making other people miserable!"
Sunday, October 23, 2011
I'm So Sorry, Uncle Albert...
In between random stops, standing "in the street" as it were having come from between parked cars, there is a Lady with her dog on a leash and luggage stacked beside her.
She flags me down.
As I pull next to her and open my door she starts to cry and says, "I have post traumatic stress, can you help me?"
I'd thought that I'd heard all the excuses for free rides - for not having fares.
From grandmothers dying to just having gotten out of jail or the hospital.
My first thought was "Hey I've got PTSD too but I don't ask for free stuff!"
But instead I simply repeated the talk tract we're taught to say:
"The fare is $2.25 and I'm not authorized to give free rides...."
She reacted as if she'd been slapped and said, "No! I can pay... my stuff!"
She came on and paid her fare as another passenger jumped off and grabbed her luggage.
For the rest of the day I felt like a huge JERK!
I'm becoming one of "them" - the older Drivers who treat passengers like the enemy.
The older Drivers who are bitter, cold, heartless and have forgotten their customer service skills.
I felt like crap and I can only imagine what the other passengers were thinking about me since I was thinking that badly about myself on the long long long last leg of the route.
I pray that if you're one of my "regulars" and you see me acting this way, that you come up to me and slap the jerk outta me.
Remind me that I'm a good Driver and that I love my Passengers/Customers.
Remind me that I love working for RTD and Driving the bus because I am allowed to work with/for YOU - The Passenger all day & night.
All rest of the route long I wished that I could rewind the day and drive up to that Lady and her dog again and without her having said a word, jumped out of the bus and grabbed her luggage for her.
I wished I'd jumped out of my seat and grabbed her luggage while she was paying her fare.
I wished the other passenger didn't have to do it for me.
I wished I'd radioed Dispatch and asked to give her a ride to where ever her final destination was, whether Parker, DIA or Boulder.
This was one of those moments when we say, "Betcha won't make THAT mistake again!"
You'd be right, betcha I won't.
I'm sorry to you, Ma'am and I'm sorry to all the passengers who had to endure my jerk-dom.
I'm sorry to my employer, RTD for failing them in this instance.
Bus Drivers are the front lines, we are the faces of RTD, we are the one chance to give you, the customers and passengers a positive experience with us.
I blew that and I won't do it again.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, I'm sorry, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
She flags me down.
As I pull next to her and open my door she starts to cry and says, "I have post traumatic stress, can you help me?"
I'd thought that I'd heard all the excuses for free rides - for not having fares.
From grandmothers dying to just having gotten out of jail or the hospital.
My first thought was "Hey I've got PTSD too but I don't ask for free stuff!"
But instead I simply repeated the talk tract we're taught to say:
"The fare is $2.25 and I'm not authorized to give free rides...."
She reacted as if she'd been slapped and said, "No! I can pay... my stuff!"
She came on and paid her fare as another passenger jumped off and grabbed her luggage.
For the rest of the day I felt like a huge JERK!
I'm becoming one of "them" - the older Drivers who treat passengers like the enemy.
The older Drivers who are bitter, cold, heartless and have forgotten their customer service skills.
I felt like crap and I can only imagine what the other passengers were thinking about me since I was thinking that badly about myself on the long long long last leg of the route.
I pray that if you're one of my "regulars" and you see me acting this way, that you come up to me and slap the jerk outta me.
Remind me that I'm a good Driver and that I love my Passengers/Customers.
Remind me that I love working for RTD and Driving the bus because I am allowed to work with/for YOU - The Passenger all day & night.
All rest of the route long I wished that I could rewind the day and drive up to that Lady and her dog again and without her having said a word, jumped out of the bus and grabbed her luggage for her.
I wished I'd jumped out of my seat and grabbed her luggage while she was paying her fare.
I wished the other passenger didn't have to do it for me.
I wished I'd radioed Dispatch and asked to give her a ride to where ever her final destination was, whether Parker, DIA or Boulder.
This was one of those moments when we say, "Betcha won't make THAT mistake again!"
You'd be right, betcha I won't.
I'm sorry to you, Ma'am and I'm sorry to all the passengers who had to endure my jerk-dom.
I'm sorry to my employer, RTD for failing them in this instance.
Bus Drivers are the front lines, we are the faces of RTD, we are the one chance to give you, the customers and passengers a positive experience with us.
I blew that and I won't do it again.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, I'm sorry, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Saturday, October 8, 2011
T'Ain't No Such Thang As A Free Lunch!
Bus is full, to the brim.
Standing room only.
I'm at the Colfax & Broadway intersection outside of the Civic Centre.
More people are trying to get on the bus.
Every time I get ready to pull out, another passenger or two runs up and pounds on the door to get in.
And at least one of each of the new group has nothing but small change to feed the fare box or they are digging deeply into their pockets and bags as if they weren't aware they were about to board a bus that required them to have their fare ready!
Either way, we are becoming later and later leaving the stop and the bus is filling further and further beyond capacity and tempers are growing shorter and shorter...
At one point - the last time I opened the door to let a runner board, go figure - a kid, maybe 21/22 gets on, skateboard in hand.
Got his wife beater on, hat on backwards.
Shorts hanging down around his knees, cig hanging off his lip.
He says, "Can I get on for free?"
I simply replied, "Fare's two-twenty-five."
He says, "I got the cash, I just don't wanna pay, I'm only going a couple of blocks..."
I didn't even have time to laugh out loud.
The crowd exploded around me.
When they were done and I'd closed the door and was driving away, I think I was still crying from how hard I was laughing!
"Get off the effing bus, you moocher!"
"Shut the door on his [butt]!"
"You don't get no effing free ride [butthole]!"
"Hey D-bag, get an effing job like the rest of us and pay your fare!"
But the best that came out was the very last.
The kid never blinked at all the other comments and turned to me and asked,
"Can I get a transfer at least?"
I'd been doing my best poker face to this point and was laughing my behind off on the inside but I think a tear squeezed out as I said, "Are you serious?" then almost broke.
The bus was quiet.
One passenger from the front came up to the kid and asked his name then asked him where he worked.
The kid said, "Best Buy."
Passenger, "How about we come to your work and you give us some free [poop] then we'll give you a free ride?"
They all exploded again but this time they were all laughing and I couldn't help it, I let loose as well.
The kid left without so much as a one finger salute.
As we drove away, I must have laughed/cried for at least another two blocks.
Best Day Eva!
As Always, "Welcome aboard, pay your fare, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Standing room only.
I'm at the Colfax & Broadway intersection outside of the Civic Centre.
More people are trying to get on the bus.
Every time I get ready to pull out, another passenger or two runs up and pounds on the door to get in.
And at least one of each of the new group has nothing but small change to feed the fare box or they are digging deeply into their pockets and bags as if they weren't aware they were about to board a bus that required them to have their fare ready!
Either way, we are becoming later and later leaving the stop and the bus is filling further and further beyond capacity and tempers are growing shorter and shorter...
At one point - the last time I opened the door to let a runner board, go figure - a kid, maybe 21/22 gets on, skateboard in hand.
Got his wife beater on, hat on backwards.
Shorts hanging down around his knees, cig hanging off his lip.
He says, "Can I get on for free?"
I simply replied, "Fare's two-twenty-five."
He says, "I got the cash, I just don't wanna pay, I'm only going a couple of blocks..."
I didn't even have time to laugh out loud.
The crowd exploded around me.
When they were done and I'd closed the door and was driving away, I think I was still crying from how hard I was laughing!
"Get off the effing bus, you moocher!"
"Shut the door on his [butt]!"
"You don't get no effing free ride [butthole]!"
"Hey D-bag, get an effing job like the rest of us and pay your fare!"
But the best that came out was the very last.
The kid never blinked at all the other comments and turned to me and asked,
"Can I get a transfer at least?"
I'd been doing my best poker face to this point and was laughing my behind off on the inside but I think a tear squeezed out as I said, "Are you serious?" then almost broke.
The bus was quiet.
One passenger from the front came up to the kid and asked his name then asked him where he worked.
The kid said, "Best Buy."
Passenger, "How about we come to your work and you give us some free [poop] then we'll give you a free ride?"
They all exploded again but this time they were all laughing and I couldn't help it, I let loose as well.
The kid left without so much as a one finger salute.
As we drove away, I must have laughed/cried for at least another two blocks.
Best Day Eva!
As Always, "Welcome aboard, pay your fare, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Friday, October 7, 2011
Speaking About Cost Cutting....
Did you know that the Union - here comes that entitlement minded, "we could care less about the customer" group of people again - did you know that they would rather send a Full Time Driver out who already has more than 40 hours on the clock and spend your tax dollars on overtime than allow a Part Time Driver to do his work for close to half the cost?
Part Timers are not allowed to get raises - the Union discriminates and makes it very difficult for a part timer to keep his job, pay his bills and continue to work for an employer he loves.
So the Part Timer maxes out on his salary almost immediately while a Full Time Driver continues to get raises, whether deserved every six months or so until he maxes out at 25% more than the Part Timer.
So the part time Driver who can only work 30 hours a week can volunteer (hypothetically) for more hours because he has at least 10 to go to reach his 40 like a full timed Driver.
But wait, that part timer doesn't get paid "overtime" (the union again discriminating!) and so he can work all the way up to his maximum DOT (70hs in 8 days) and not get paid as much as a full time Driver does in 40 or 50 hours.
AND that part timer doesn't get paid days off, paid sick days or any other benefits so you get more bang for your tax dollar buck when you put the limited group of part timers to work.
So you'd think that there would be some number crunching and some consideration for spending wisely the limited number of tax dollars we have.
On top of all that, the Union can force a full timer (mandate) that he comes in on his days off - screw his family and friends and plans - and work those over time hours.
Not only does the union rip off the tax payer but they hurt their full timer Drivers all in the name of discrimination.
Mostly because the senior Drivers are union friendly and they are scratching each other's backs and they see part timers as a threat to be hated.
But of course that's just me, an average Driver who gets to hear the conversations between union reps and leaders and senior Drivers.
I even got to hear a union leader/rep tell a part timer that he literally hates part timers, that he feels they should go find another job because they obviously don't have what it takes to do this one or they'd go full time!
I cringed at that but kept my mouth shut, I like my job and my life and didn't want either to end any time soon.
Anywho, point is that a flexible work force like a group of Part Timers is beneficial to a company, beneficial to the tax payer in that it saves beaucoup bucks and keeps both the full timers and the part timers, the employer and the public happy, employed and affordable.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, thank that part time Driver, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Part Timers are not allowed to get raises - the Union discriminates and makes it very difficult for a part timer to keep his job, pay his bills and continue to work for an employer he loves.
So the Part Timer maxes out on his salary almost immediately while a Full Time Driver continues to get raises, whether deserved every six months or so until he maxes out at 25% more than the Part Timer.
So the part time Driver who can only work 30 hours a week can volunteer (hypothetically) for more hours because he has at least 10 to go to reach his 40 like a full timed Driver.
But wait, that part timer doesn't get paid "overtime" (the union again discriminating!) and so he can work all the way up to his maximum DOT (70hs in 8 days) and not get paid as much as a full time Driver does in 40 or 50 hours.
AND that part timer doesn't get paid days off, paid sick days or any other benefits so you get more bang for your tax dollar buck when you put the limited group of part timers to work.
So you'd think that there would be some number crunching and some consideration for spending wisely the limited number of tax dollars we have.
On top of all that, the Union can force a full timer (mandate) that he comes in on his days off - screw his family and friends and plans - and work those over time hours.
Not only does the union rip off the tax payer but they hurt their full timer Drivers all in the name of discrimination.
Mostly because the senior Drivers are union friendly and they are scratching each other's backs and they see part timers as a threat to be hated.
But of course that's just me, an average Driver who gets to hear the conversations between union reps and leaders and senior Drivers.
I even got to hear a union leader/rep tell a part timer that he literally hates part timers, that he feels they should go find another job because they obviously don't have what it takes to do this one or they'd go full time!
I cringed at that but kept my mouth shut, I like my job and my life and didn't want either to end any time soon.
Anywho, point is that a flexible work force like a group of Part Timers is beneficial to a company, beneficial to the tax payer in that it saves beaucoup bucks and keeps both the full timers and the part timers, the employer and the public happy, employed and affordable.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, thank that part time Driver, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Monday, October 3, 2011
Why Do I Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me?
Around this time last year, RTD began a new test to see if having new cameras on some buses helped protect Drivers and passengers.
The cameras we have currently show various angles and views within the bus but you can't see what the driver is doing, whether texting, on the phone or simply falling asleep.
Nor can you see what's going on in a 180° outside the front of the bus.
The new cameras began recording when a Driver hit a panic button and when the bus hit a big enough bump - that could be interpreted as an accident - and when the bus stopped or swerved quickly and sharply enough that it could also be considered an accident.
Those video clips were monitored by a third party and sent to RTD if there were concerns.
The majority of the concerns came from Driver's habits that could stand to be corrected.
Habits that caused safety concerns.
Safety is RTD's number one priority - the Passenger (customer) and other traffic both vehicular and pedestrian are our number one concern.
But not the Union - they could care less about y'all.
The unions lied to everybody about the benefits of the cameras.
They said that the cameras would not improve Driving habits.
They said the cameras were not cheaper, more efficient and complete than the current systems.
They said they would not save money in insurance claims, whether to the costs of holding the insurance or the pay outs made.
Senior (union friendly) Drivers went nuts.
The union threw a fit.
Drivers complained that their privacy was being violated.
That they didn't want to be watched while they ate their lunches or picked their noses while they drove.
They felt they were entitled to privacy while they were operating public tax payer vehicles owned by their employers.
There's that "entitlement" mindset again, which rules the unions and ruins companies.
The fact that they are on company time, company property, operating company equipment doesn't matter to a union friendly Driver.
The fact that they are responsible for hundreds of lives and paid by those hundreds of lives doesn't matter to a union friendly Driver.
These Drivers and their union are entitlement minded, they are self absorbed.
You OWE them a pay check and you owe them privacy.
They don't owe you any accountability, or any responsibility.
Taking correction for simple bad habits that can make them better Drivers, safer Drivers and improve the quality of service we provide to you, the customer and our employer...that is not within the paradigm of the union friendly, entitlement minded Driver.
Me?
I'm sure I have a few bad habits but I'm still in my second year and my habits can be corrected.
Personally I take correction well because I am customer service oriented.
I know that my corrections improve my service to the customer and when my service improves, attendance grows and revenue increases.
I also know that if I'm hit or involved in an accident that is not my fault, that camera will cover my rump and show hard core proof that will save my bacon.
Those cameras showed a 360° view of everything inside and outside of the bus, including what I'm doing and what folks are doing around me.
I felt better having those cameras in the bus.
I wished RTD had turned on the "watch live" feature so that they could log in when they contacted us and they could see and monitor live what is happening both in and outside and help or take action accordingly.The police can use that feature in the case of dummies on the bus who are intent on harm.
Needless to say, those cameras all disappeared after the six or 8 month trial period.
Union friendly and entitlement minded Drivers are all happily back to their bad habits, no cares or concerns of being corrected or even recognized for their behaviour.
I've even been on a few buses where the Drivers use their phones while driving, telling me outright that they know they won't be fired, at most they'll get a counselling memo!
You, the passenger and the payer of the taxes that pay our bills and wages - you should complain left and right.
Demand more accountability from Drivers, that we are safer and use your tax dollars more wisely.
You demand it from representatives, police and firemen who are paid with tax payer funds.
Why not your bus Drivers as well?
As Always, "Welcome aboard, smile for the camera, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
The cameras we have currently show various angles and views within the bus but you can't see what the driver is doing, whether texting, on the phone or simply falling asleep.
Nor can you see what's going on in a 180° outside the front of the bus.
The new cameras began recording when a Driver hit a panic button and when the bus hit a big enough bump - that could be interpreted as an accident - and when the bus stopped or swerved quickly and sharply enough that it could also be considered an accident.
Those video clips were monitored by a third party and sent to RTD if there were concerns.
The majority of the concerns came from Driver's habits that could stand to be corrected.
Habits that caused safety concerns.
Safety is RTD's number one priority - the Passenger (customer) and other traffic both vehicular and pedestrian are our number one concern.
But not the Union - they could care less about y'all.
The unions lied to everybody about the benefits of the cameras.
They said that the cameras would not improve Driving habits.
They said the cameras were not cheaper, more efficient and complete than the current systems.
They said they would not save money in insurance claims, whether to the costs of holding the insurance or the pay outs made.
Senior (union friendly) Drivers went nuts.
The union threw a fit.
Drivers complained that their privacy was being violated.
That they didn't want to be watched while they ate their lunches or picked their noses while they drove.
They felt they were entitled to privacy while they were operating public tax payer vehicles owned by their employers.
There's that "entitlement" mindset again, which rules the unions and ruins companies.
The fact that they are on company time, company property, operating company equipment doesn't matter to a union friendly Driver.
The fact that they are responsible for hundreds of lives and paid by those hundreds of lives doesn't matter to a union friendly Driver.
These Drivers and their union are entitlement minded, they are self absorbed.
You OWE them a pay check and you owe them privacy.
They don't owe you any accountability, or any responsibility.
Taking correction for simple bad habits that can make them better Drivers, safer Drivers and improve the quality of service we provide to you, the customer and our employer...that is not within the paradigm of the union friendly, entitlement minded Driver.
Me?
I'm sure I have a few bad habits but I'm still in my second year and my habits can be corrected.
Personally I take correction well because I am customer service oriented.
I know that my corrections improve my service to the customer and when my service improves, attendance grows and revenue increases.
I also know that if I'm hit or involved in an accident that is not my fault, that camera will cover my rump and show hard core proof that will save my bacon.
Those cameras showed a 360° view of everything inside and outside of the bus, including what I'm doing and what folks are doing around me.
I felt better having those cameras in the bus.
I wished RTD had turned on the "watch live" feature so that they could log in when they contacted us and they could see and monitor live what is happening both in and outside and help or take action accordingly.The police can use that feature in the case of dummies on the bus who are intent on harm.
Needless to say, those cameras all disappeared after the six or 8 month trial period.
Union friendly and entitlement minded Drivers are all happily back to their bad habits, no cares or concerns of being corrected or even recognized for their behaviour.
I've even been on a few buses where the Drivers use their phones while driving, telling me outright that they know they won't be fired, at most they'll get a counselling memo!
You, the passenger and the payer of the taxes that pay our bills and wages - you should complain left and right.
Demand more accountability from Drivers, that we are safer and use your tax dollars more wisely.
You demand it from representatives, police and firemen who are paid with tax payer funds.
Why not your bus Drivers as well?
As Always, "Welcome aboard, smile for the camera, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Service Cuts & Fare Hikes - Again?
There are articles all over the Denver Media outlets and rumours flying around left and right about service cuts and rate hikes coming in the next year.
Let's start with some random numbers:
Let's take the $382 million budget / operating cost for RTD in 2009.
With more than 100 million boardings, that means that every single time every single passenger boards the bus, light rail or sky ride that passenger would need to pay $4.
A boarding is not simply when somebody pays and receives a transfer or show their fare card/pass.
A boarding is when any person crosses that door threshold and gets on a bus or train.
Keep in mind that companies pay significant discounts for eco passes for their employees, students of all ages pay discounted fares whether as they board or through their colleges.
The elderly and disabled pay discounted fares.
Then of course we have those who use expired transfers, fake passes, invalid and improper passes and even those who refuse to pay out right but still board.
So does the "fare" collection pay for the operation of our mass transit system?
Far from it.
And with sales revenue way down these last couple of years, RTD tax revenue has left us with severe deficits these last few years.
Because RTD is not a for profit company but a tax payer funded municipality, there may come a day when the only buses you see running around town are the First Transit and Veolia companies operating the system because RTD had to shut its doors due to budget cuts.
And you've seen the quality and infrequency of their routes, buses and drivers - and that's while they have RTD as competition & oversight!
Imagine once RTD's gone, what they'll degrade into...
I've said this before but I enjoy reminding folks that this "entitlement" minded society that wants everything for free (paid for by somebody else besides them) are in for a rude awakening.
You can't keep expecting free rides, discounted fares and service improvements without at some point paying for that expectation.
Everybody is whining and moaning about service cuts and fare hikes.
But like the liberal govt in Washington, Colorado & RTD can't keep spending without raising taxes.
And if you think that those who don't use the service (ignoring for the moment the left's cry of, "it benefits us all with cleaner air, more efficient transportation, less traffic..." etc etc etc) want to continue to pay more and more for it - you're wrong.
Companies are so burdened with the taxes, fees, penalties and punishments coming down from the Federal levels for all these entitlement programs such as health care, welfare/unemployment and unions that they can't afford to continue to pay more for a bus ride.
And more and more passengers want discounts and free rides.
More and more want to moan about paying two and a quarter for a ride!
The gas in my truck won't get you across town for only two bucks let alone a 25 ton bus getting a couple of miles to the gallon.
But you want a cheaper fare?
Don't misunderstand what I'm saying here.
I still don't support the union and all its extortionist crap nor do I support these private companies operating on RTD routes.
And I still don't support the RTD tax, causing tax payers to pay for those who ride RTD.
BUT...
I do agree that a fare hike is needed.
I want to keep my job, and trust me I'm not getting a single raise, benefit or day off with pay because of any of these rate hikes.
I want to see service continued, not discontinued as something like 18 routes will be come January 2012.
RTD has had to scale back in order to afford to operate.
Tax revenue is down and I've heard rumours that Federal monies (taxes) are being lost due to a Federal Mandate that RTD has to miss because of a lack of funds (tax revenue) to meet the requirement.
I honestly believe that if everybody who got on the bus was honest, paid their full fare, didn't sneak their expired transfers, didn't reuse their transfers going back the other way, didn't simply get on without paying or try giving me an excuse not to pay...
If everybody paid, revenue would skyrocket and RTD could afford to operate at current levels without going into debt.
But that's not going to happen - everybody wants a free ride and the rest of us have to pay for that free ride for the few.
Tax increases, service cuts and fare hikes are coming.
The next time somebody sneaks on the bus, thank him for raising your fare while he steals from you.
Those of you who have that RTD tax taken out of your paychecks - when you cover your expired transfer with your fingers, or cover the direction, date, am/pm punches, etc and think you're getting away with fooling me....
Thank yourself the next time you see an increase in taxes taken outta your paycheck.
It is your fault.
You stole from yourself, thinking you got away with it.
I don't hound you, kick you off or refuse you service when you do that.
It's not my job, I simply tell you the required proper fare and let you board.
Either that fare inspector behind me will getcha or Uncle Sam via taxes from your paycheck.
Either way, fare hikes, tax increases and service cuts are coming.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, pay your fare, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Let's start with some random numbers:
Let's take the $382 million budget / operating cost for RTD in 2009.
With more than 100 million boardings, that means that every single time every single passenger boards the bus, light rail or sky ride that passenger would need to pay $4.
A boarding is not simply when somebody pays and receives a transfer or show their fare card/pass.
A boarding is when any person crosses that door threshold and gets on a bus or train.
Keep in mind that companies pay significant discounts for eco passes for their employees, students of all ages pay discounted fares whether as they board or through their colleges.
The elderly and disabled pay discounted fares.
Then of course we have those who use expired transfers, fake passes, invalid and improper passes and even those who refuse to pay out right but still board.
So does the "fare" collection pay for the operation of our mass transit system?
Far from it.
And with sales revenue way down these last couple of years, RTD tax revenue has left us with severe deficits these last few years.
Because RTD is not a for profit company but a tax payer funded municipality, there may come a day when the only buses you see running around town are the First Transit and Veolia companies operating the system because RTD had to shut its doors due to budget cuts.
And you've seen the quality and infrequency of their routes, buses and drivers - and that's while they have RTD as competition & oversight!
Imagine once RTD's gone, what they'll degrade into...
I've said this before but I enjoy reminding folks that this "entitlement" minded society that wants everything for free (paid for by somebody else besides them) are in for a rude awakening.
You can't keep expecting free rides, discounted fares and service improvements without at some point paying for that expectation.
Everybody is whining and moaning about service cuts and fare hikes.
But like the liberal govt in Washington, Colorado & RTD can't keep spending without raising taxes.
And if you think that those who don't use the service (ignoring for the moment the left's cry of, "it benefits us all with cleaner air, more efficient transportation, less traffic..." etc etc etc) want to continue to pay more and more for it - you're wrong.
Companies are so burdened with the taxes, fees, penalties and punishments coming down from the Federal levels for all these entitlement programs such as health care, welfare/unemployment and unions that they can't afford to continue to pay more for a bus ride.
And more and more passengers want discounts and free rides.
More and more want to moan about paying two and a quarter for a ride!
The gas in my truck won't get you across town for only two bucks let alone a 25 ton bus getting a couple of miles to the gallon.
But you want a cheaper fare?
Don't misunderstand what I'm saying here.
I still don't support the union and all its extortionist crap nor do I support these private companies operating on RTD routes.
And I still don't support the RTD tax, causing tax payers to pay for those who ride RTD.
BUT...
I do agree that a fare hike is needed.
I want to keep my job, and trust me I'm not getting a single raise, benefit or day off with pay because of any of these rate hikes.
I want to see service continued, not discontinued as something like 18 routes will be come January 2012.
RTD has had to scale back in order to afford to operate.
Tax revenue is down and I've heard rumours that Federal monies (taxes) are being lost due to a Federal Mandate that RTD has to miss because of a lack of funds (tax revenue) to meet the requirement.
I honestly believe that if everybody who got on the bus was honest, paid their full fare, didn't sneak their expired transfers, didn't reuse their transfers going back the other way, didn't simply get on without paying or try giving me an excuse not to pay...
If everybody paid, revenue would skyrocket and RTD could afford to operate at current levels without going into debt.
But that's not going to happen - everybody wants a free ride and the rest of us have to pay for that free ride for the few.
Tax increases, service cuts and fare hikes are coming.
The next time somebody sneaks on the bus, thank him for raising your fare while he steals from you.
Those of you who have that RTD tax taken out of your paychecks - when you cover your expired transfer with your fingers, or cover the direction, date, am/pm punches, etc and think you're getting away with fooling me....
Thank yourself the next time you see an increase in taxes taken outta your paycheck.
It is your fault.
You stole from yourself, thinking you got away with it.
I don't hound you, kick you off or refuse you service when you do that.
It's not my job, I simply tell you the required proper fare and let you board.
Either that fare inspector behind me will getcha or Uncle Sam via taxes from your paycheck.
Either way, fare hikes, tax increases and service cuts are coming.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, pay your fare, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Go Speed Racer - Go!
Race for the Cure today.
50,000 participants and more than $3,000,000.00 raised for the cause.
75% of that stays here in Colorado.
And if the Ladies on the microphone at the Finish Line are right, Denver is tied with St. Louis for first place as the largest in the Country for this event.
And speaking of the Ladies at the Finish Line - WOOHOO!!
Yeah, if you were there and heard them for more than a few minutes, you know exactly what I mean when I say, "WOOHOO!"
LOL - of course as a Driver I was able to listen to these Ladies for a few minutes at a time as I sat in Lot B near the Finish Line while participants loaded onto the bus to be taken home after the Race.
So it was entertaining and at one point, I lost count of how many times these Ladies said, "WOOHOO!"
Does anybody know who these Ladies are?
I tried to look them up on the Komen site and one of the Ladies sounded like Rosie O'Donnell - in a good way of course.
Anyway, this year was WAY busier than last year and the sea of participants seemed endless as I drove back and forth all morning long from the Finish Line to various Park N Rides.
Passing under and around that sea streaming along Colfax and up and down the on and off ramps.
I'm told the sea of Pink Participants forms a Pink Ribbon right there at the Finish Line - I'll have to look that up on YouTube.
Thanks for being such a fun group of riders, of racers and of participants.
Second only to the Bolder Boulder folks, I LOVE volunteering to drive for y'all each year.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, gimme a WOOHOO, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
50,000 participants and more than $3,000,000.00 raised for the cause.
75% of that stays here in Colorado.
And if the Ladies on the microphone at the Finish Line are right, Denver is tied with St. Louis for first place as the largest in the Country for this event.
And speaking of the Ladies at the Finish Line - WOOHOO!!
Yeah, if you were there and heard them for more than a few minutes, you know exactly what I mean when I say, "WOOHOO!"
LOL - of course as a Driver I was able to listen to these Ladies for a few minutes at a time as I sat in Lot B near the Finish Line while participants loaded onto the bus to be taken home after the Race.
So it was entertaining and at one point, I lost count of how many times these Ladies said, "WOOHOO!"
Does anybody know who these Ladies are?
I tried to look them up on the Komen site and one of the Ladies sounded like Rosie O'Donnell - in a good way of course.
Anyway, this year was WAY busier than last year and the sea of participants seemed endless as I drove back and forth all morning long from the Finish Line to various Park N Rides.
Passing under and around that sea streaming along Colfax and up and down the on and off ramps.
I'm told the sea of Pink Participants forms a Pink Ribbon right there at the Finish Line - I'll have to look that up on YouTube.
Thanks for being such a fun group of riders, of racers and of participants.
Second only to the Bolder Boulder folks, I LOVE volunteering to drive for y'all each year.
As Always, "Welcome aboard, gimme a WOOHOO, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Saturday, October 1, 2011
I Can't Drive 55...
I felt the need, the need for speed!
Yes, I broke the sound barrier today.
Ok, well the modest sound barrier of the bus Driver.
I got on the highway and went from zero to 60 miles per hour in a bone shattering...
40 seconds.
Yes yes yes, I understand that these days most commercials, movie stars and sex doesn't even last this long but let me tell you...
Yeah, you're right.
I even bored myself.
I think I took a nap, got up, walked around and stretched my legs and read my email between the time it took to get to sixty.
But still, c'mon folks.
I actually got a bus up to 60 miles per hour and I did it in under a minute!
Where's my medal?
As Always, "Welcome aboard, grab a neck brace, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Yes, I broke the sound barrier today.
Ok, well the modest sound barrier of the bus Driver.
I got on the highway and went from zero to 60 miles per hour in a bone shattering...
40 seconds.
Yes yes yes, I understand that these days most commercials, movie stars and sex doesn't even last this long but let me tell you...
Yeah, you're right.
I even bored myself.
I think I took a nap, got up, walked around and stretched my legs and read my email between the time it took to get to sixty.
But still, c'mon folks.
I actually got a bus up to 60 miles per hour and I did it in under a minute!
Where's my medal?
As Always, "Welcome aboard, grab a neck brace, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
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