CTA Bus Garages

[Guest]

I feel if you're a good driver and you have a spotter on "your" bus, you have nothing to worry about.

I've said it before, it's not your bus, and it's not your show. You didn't pay to make the bus, did you? No. And this isn't some kind of show. We're talking about delievering passengers from, like you said, point A to point B. You may be in "charge" of the bus for a run or two, but ultimately, it's not YOUR bus. It's CTA's.

You're right, I'd never been in the driver's seat, but what disturbs me is that most drivers think it's their bus like they payed for and built it. Those drivers also think they can make rules up for the riding public on "their" bus and if you don't abide by them, you'll get thrown off the bus or get yelled at. If it said "Buslover88 (as an example)" on the side of the bus, I'd understand, but since it says CTA on the side on the bus, I feel it's CTA's bus.

I NEVER said driving a bus was simple. I ride a school bus everyday and I see my driver's struggles (mind you, she's a former employee of CTA) when she's got to make wide turns, sharp turns, back up if stuck, etc.

Since this is CTA we're talking about, a driver shouldn't be calling the shots on a bus (unless in an emergency) like the passengers are school children. The passengers also shouldn't tell the drivers what to do. The CTA should be telling both drivers/passengers what to do. And I do understand somewhat of what CTA drivers have to go through, but rude drivers keep me from fully understanding.

I could see a driver telling someone what to do if they're causing a big disturbance on the bus and are endangering people (though I would just call control and try not to argue with the person because it'll only make matters worse), or if there was an accident on the bus, but if I get into an argument with a driver (as an example) and they say "this is MY bus", I'm going to say it's not your bus. An argument between a driver and myself would also break out if I got on a CTA bus and they driver said "you're on MY bus now, you follow MY rules and if you don't, you're getting kicked off!", but if there's nothing going on in the bus, there's nothing to say.

And that's my opinion. You don't have to agree, but I just want you to understand my point of view. I'm trying to understand your opinion.

BusLover, you repeated everything Im trying to tell you. If the bus driver shouldnt make the decisions on the bus then who should??? Whether you like it or not the bus driver is always in charge! Reckless bus operators I do not speak for. But in my opinion and I think I speak for every safe bus operator, We do run the show! CTA does tell its bus operators what to do, its called Standard Operating Procedures, (SOP). Yes, youre right we dont physically own the bus or payed for it but when were hired to operate a quarter million dollar piece of equipment you better believe that "We are in charge!". On the Pace bus, I call the shots, Im responsible for the duties I perform. Those passengers dont get to their destination without me! You can come up with your own conclusion. I dont let the passengers run the show. I treat my good passengers with the service they deserve. You start trouble on my bus and your off!

[cta_44499_FG]

I feel if you're a good driver and you have a spotter on "your" bus, you have nothing to worry about.

I've said it before, it's not your bus, and it's not your show. You didn't pay to make the bus, did you? No. And this isn't some kind of show. We're talking about delievering passengers from, like you said, point A to point B. You may be in "charge" of the bus for a run or two, but ultimately, it's not YOUR bus. It's CTA's.

You're right, I'd never been in the driver's seat, but what disturbs me is that most drivers think it's their bus like they payed for and built it. Those drivers also think they can make rules up for the riding public on "their" bus and if you don't abide by them, you'll get thrown off the bus or get yelled at. If it said "Buslover88 (as an example)" on the side of the bus, I'd understand, but since it says CTA on the side on the bus, I feel it's CTA's bus.

I NEVER said driving a bus was simple. I ride a school bus everyday and I see my driver's struggles (mind you, she's a former employee of CTA) when she's got to make wide turns, sharp turns, back up if stuck, etc.

Since this is CTA we're talking about, a driver shouldn't be calling the shots on a bus (unless in an emergency) like the passengers are school children. The passengers also shouldn't tell the drivers what to do. The CTA should be telling both drivers/passengers what to do. And I do understand somewhat of what CTA drivers have to go through, but rude drivers keep me from fully understanding.

I could see a driver telling someone what to do if they're causing a big disturbance on the bus and are endangering people (though I would just call control and try not to argue with the person because it'll only make matters worse), or if there was an accident on the bus, but if I get into an argument with a driver (as an example) and they say "this is MY bus", I'm going to say it's not your bus. An argument between a driver and myself would also break out if I got on a CTA bus and they driver said "you're on MY bus now, you follow MY rules and if you don't, you're getting kicked off!", but if there's nothing going on in the bus, there's nothing to say.

And that's my opinion. You don't have to agree, but I just want you to understand my point of view. I'm trying to understand your opinion.

Buslover88,

Let me just clarify a few things. First of all, you have your opinions and that's fine. But, I also have to side with cta 5555 and CTA5750 here on some valid points.

First and foremost, whenever a CTA bus operator is in possession of CTA property, and in this case its the bus, first and foremost as far as CTA is concerned at the time you are on that bus it is YOUR bus. You are responsible for anything that happens, you are also responsible for ensuring that not only that the passengers are taken safely from point A to point B, but also that they also abide by rules for their own safety. I am not sure if that is what you are getting at when you say that we are not in the position to tell people what to do...please reclarify...because in technical speaking we are in the position to instruct passengers (for sake of a better word). You are (and any instructor or manager would say the same) the "captain of the ship".

When you say that the operators shouldn't be calling the shots like the passengers are school children, you are not clear on that either. What exactly do you mean? If you are referring to things like asking the passengers to step back or not block the aisles, again, that is not calling shots that is safety and also for the sake of accomodating additional passengers. IF, and again any CTA manager or instructor will tell you as it is one of our rules, an operator does not feel that the bus is in safe condition to continue in service for ANY reason including any of the such above....that operator does not have to continue in service until the situation is resolved. Additionally buslover88, and this relates to the entire thing about not knowing what its like to be in the drivers seat....imagine something. How would you like it if you ask your passengers to do something because of safety or something as simple as stepping to the back and you are ignored? Many of us go through this day in and day out (although I must admit I don't have too much trouble on my routes (36,146, 151, 155). Mind you, you are the captain of the ship...and the crew is not complying. I'm sorry buslover, but you cannot define this as "the operator is telling people what to do like children", because again....the operator in the possession of that bus is the owner of that bus at that time (and CTA would say the same I'm sorry to tell you).

You seem to have made some sharp generalizations primarily about Chicago Garage operators. I've ridden buses from that garage in my street clothes (and don't always assume that the operator notices a CTA employee touching the card reader), and I've personally withnessed operators whom were more pleasant than my own at North Park. You made a pretty generalized statement. But you also need to keep in mind that while you may be on a bus for part of the route, we are on from point A to B and back to A, you don't know what we go through. Me, I'm on my bus on my 2nd half from Foster and Sheridan to Union Station back to Devon and Clark back to Union Station back to Berwyn Red Line, imagine how many things could occur in that timeframe? Do you know? No, of course not.

Being a CTA bus operator can be a lot of fun, but it also can be a pain in the neck too. We've all come across passengers whom don't deserve the time of day, but for the most part I think we all can say we drive for the passengers who deserve good service. It's also a job that requires leadership, and in this case comes the mental ownership of the bus that you view with such scorn. It's more than a mental thing...you have to bring your mind to the job to do the job. Perhaps one day you will understand.

[T8H5307A]

The bus driver Always! "Runs the Show" The driver is always in charge of that bus. He is responsible for every passenger that boards that bus and makes sure passengers arrive from point "A" to point "B" safely without incident. "

It's "My Bus" when:

-Someone falls on the bus

-Someone hits my bus

-Someone calls in and complains

So from the time I step on the bus to the time I get off the bus, it is my bus! I am responsible for the safe transport of humanoids and if the humanoids does something unsafe and/or stupid, I am going to call them on it. Just about anything that could happen there is a rule/regulation to back it up with.

You shouldn't generalize against bus operators from one garage. I see a lot of things my co-workers do that I am not proud of, but then I see many of them who are out there doing the right thing or even going the extra mile.

[Buslover88]

Nope thats my dayoff.

Sorry, but I really couldn't read your typing on that last post. I thought you said Wednesday but I looked it over and it said weekdays.

[Buslover88]

BusLover, you repeated everything Im trying to tell you. If the bus driver shouldnt make the decisions on the bus then who should??? Whether you like it or not the bus driver is always in charge! Reckless bus operators I do not speak for. But in my opinion and I think I speak for every safe bus operator, We do run the show! CTA does tell its bus operators what to do, its called Standard Operating Procedures, (SOP). Yes, youre right we dont physically own the bus or payed for it but when were hired to operate a quarter million dollar piece of equipment you better believe that "We are in charge!". On the Pace bus, I call the shots, Im responsible for the duties I perform. Those passengers dont get to their destination without me! You can come up with your own conclusion. I dont let the passengers run the show. I treat my good passengers with the service they deserve. You start trouble on my bus and your off!

Buslover88,

Let me just clarify a few things. First of all, you have your opinions and that's fine. But, I also have to side with cta 5555 and CTA5750 here on some valid points.

First and foremost, whenever a CTA bus operator is in possession of CTA property, and in this case its the bus, first and foremost as far as CTA is concerned at the time you are on that bus it is YOUR bus. You are responsible for anything that happens, you are also responsible for ensuring that not only that the passengers are taken safely from point A to point B, but also that they also abide by rules for their own safety. I am not sure if that is what you are getting at when you say that we are not in the position to tell people what to do...please reclarify...because in technical speaking we are in the position to instruct passengers (for sake of a better word). You are (and any instructor or manager would say the same) the "captain of the ship".

When you say that the operators shouldn't be calling the shots like the passengers are school children, you are not clear on that either. What exactly do you mean? If you are referring to things like asking the passengers to step back or not block the aisles, again, that is not calling shots that is safety and also for the sake of accomodating additional passengers. IF, and again any CTA manager or instructor will tell you as it is one of our rules, an operator does not feel that the bus is in safe condition to continue in service for ANY reason including any of the such above....that operator does not have to continue in service until the situation is resolved. Additionally buslover88, and this relates to the entire thing about not knowing what its like to be in the drivers seat....imagine something. How would you like it if you ask your passengers to do something because of safety or something as simple as stepping to the back and you are ignored? Many of us go through this day in and day out (although I must admit I don't have too much trouble on my routes (36,146, 151, 155). Mind you, you are the captain of the ship...and the crew is not complying. I'm sorry buslover, but you cannot define this as "the operator is telling people what to do like children", because again....the operator in the possession of that bus is the owner of that bus at that time (and CTA would say the same I'm sorry to tell you).

You seem to have made some sharp generalizations primarily about Chicago Garage operators. I've ridden buses from that garage in my street clothes (and don't always assume that the operator notices a CTA employee touching the card reader), and I've personally withnessed operators whom were more pleasant than my own at North Park. You made a pretty generalized statement. But you also need to keep in mind that while you may be on a bus for part of the route, we are on from point A to B and back to A, you don't know what we go through. Me, I'm on my bus on my 2nd half from Foster and Sheridan to Union Station back to Devon and Clark back to Union Station back to Berwyn Red Line, imagine how many things could occur in that timeframe? Do you know? No, of course not.

Being a CTA bus operator can be a lot of fun, but it also can be a pain in the neck too. We've all come across passengers whom don't deserve the time of day, but for the most part I think we all can say we drive for the passengers who deserve good service. It's also a job that requires leadership, and in this case comes the mental ownership of the bus that you view with such scorn. It's more than a mental thing...you have to bring your mind to the job to do the job. Perhaps one day you will understand.

Well, this ends this argument. You're in charge of the bus. Whatever.

You shouldn't generalize against bus operators from one garage. I see a lot of things my co-workers do that I am not proud of, but then I see many of them who are out there doing the right thing or even going the extra mile.

Could you tell your co-workers on #76 Diversey to stop being so rude all the time? As a costumer on #76 (every 2-3 weeks at the most), everytime I step on a #76, there always seems to be a rude driver.

[T8H5307A]

everytime I step on a #76, there always seems to be a rude driver.

Maybe their attitude changes as they pull up to the stop and see you standing there?

[santran]

To be honest not one person can work at 8 garages at once, so nobody can say for sure if one thing is this and one is that. I can say that many drivers choose to work out of a particular garage due to the area's they operate. But it is all in the eye of the beholder!!

[Kevin]

This thread has clearly run its course and will now be closed. Please keep discussions civil and avoid personal attacks.