It's Only Fair To Tell You About the Fare

Yesterday I got called in for a temp job. Why yes, I can be in the Financial District in a half hour. While I can walk there, taking the bus would save me time. So I poured out my glass jar of change onto my bed and sifted through to find $2 in coins. Scooping all the needed coins into my jacket pocket, I rushed out the door.

The bus came. I started putting my nickels and dimes and quarters into the fare machine. When I'd emptied my pocket, the machine said $1.90. The bus was already moving. Feeling around my pocket for the last dime, I came up empty. I don't carry change around. I'd specifically taken $2 in coins just for the bus, there was nothing else. I told the bus driver, "I'm sorry, it seems like I've lost a dime. Do you want me to get off at the next stop?"

He handed me the pass that lets you stay on the bus until two or so hours later. "Here." I took the pass, and took his word to mean he was letting that dime slide.

Today, since I knew I'd be working, I left the house early enough to walk.

Racist or Just An Abuse of Power? You Decide!

Last Friday I was talking to a friend's daughter about what it was like when I was seven years old, as she turns seven soon. I told her all about how seven was my best year, how I felt like I'd fully left behind babyhood and was 100% girl rather than baby, how seven became my favorite and lucky number and still is to this day, how second grade was my favorite grade, and everything about seven was just plum awesome. So, in honor of second grade, and Molly's upcoming seventh birthday, we're going to do this blog post (somewhat) current events style, like I used to do in Mrs. Firestone's class.

Who: the F Market Muni driver, and a black woman with three young children
Where: on Market Street
When: Sunday afternoon
What: the train was stopped at a stop, and the driver told the woman she had to fold up her stroller before bringing it on the train. The woman then asked the driver if he would let her on for free (cost is $2, kids under age 5 are free). The driver told her he'd let her on for $2. She said she didn't have money and asked again. He said again, she could get on the train for $2.

He then closed the doors and moved the train up a few feet. He then said into the microphone, "And she's still breeding." I was shocked. If you want to think things that's fine, but some things simply should not be said. Especially when you are wearing a uniform representing a company, you should not be stating your personal opinions about things. You should certainly not be broadcasting those opinions by using company equipment. The black woman heard what was said, and yelled at the driver. Much of that yelling involved curse words.

There was a lot of talk on the train about what happened. A handicapped woman was very vocal about how right the driver was. If we have to pay $2, everyone should have to pay $2. I thought her statement was stupid, since as a handicapped person she only pays .75 cents. She also felt that the black woman had an entitlement attitude and she needed to be taught a lesson.

The man sitting next to me, who loudly told everyone he was from New York, as if that gives him impressive credentials on such issues, decided the train driver's statement was borderline racist. A couple of other people said it wasn't racist, because the black woman was wrong to want to get on the train for free (which is a nonsensical argument). One woman thought the statement wasn't racist because the black woman is teaching her children to ask for and expect handouts and to be upset when they don't get them. Again, bad argument.

What are your thoughts? Was it a racist comment or inappropriate or was the driver right?

Not Even a High Five

All the MUNI drivers are friends. Well maybe not ALL, but many. They don't just smile or wave at each other when two buses pass each other, they sometimes come to a complete stop in the middle of the street and start talking to each other.

Today, on Market Street, I had just gotten off the 71 Haight bus and was waiting to cross the street when I saw another 71 Haight bus driving in the opposite direction of the one I'd just departed. The light was red so I stood there waiting, and watching the two bus drivers. They just drove right past each other! They didn't even give the nod or anything!

I wonder if there's a big MUNI driver drama going on and they're in a fight. I wonder if they used to be friends and now they're not. I wonder if there was some sort of bus battle.