the driver on the bus yells...

I've been taking the bus. Regional Transit runs right from my midtown apartment to campus, where I spend most of my money-making hours, so taking the bus makes sense in multiple ways. Mostly, I'm too cheap to buy a parking permit for campus- $150!- but I also like to think I'm doing my part for the environment. (Really though, if you offered me a free permit, I'd drive.) The bus, though, is a learning experience.
I haven't been brave enough to stray from the one line that takes me directly to and from school, I've never tried making a connection or a transfer. Buses are not scary because of the other passengers or because of the waiting or the bus stops, buses are scary because of the drivers.
Usually my bus drivers do not say a word. I offer "Good Morning!", and they nod and proceed to close the doors behind me and accelarate, propelling me into the first available seat. Even when a passenger asks something of the driver, say, how much change he needs to put in for a transfer, the driver rarely responds with more than one word. I can't blame them, they have to do this all day and it must get kind of monotonous. On the other hand, so does the guy at McDonalds and he never fails to offer me fries.
Today's driver was the most vocal I've ever seen. Before I'd taken 2 steps onto the bus he had taken the liberty to yell at me about how to signal a bus to stop. Thank you, bus driver man, without your kind words I'd never have learned my lesson. Was this all? No no. The driver continued to talk to boarding passengers at the stops after mine, although never to ask how their day had begun, more so to acknowledge their presence on his bus.
This driver was also not afraid - at all- to use his horn. I've never heard so much honking in all my life. My ride to campus is about 30 blocks. Takes about 10 minutes. This man honked at least 4 times! Each honk was a double honk (honk-honk!!!). I was sitting too far back to see what he was honking at, whether car or person, but I really think most of his honking was unnecessary.

I'm not suggesting that I am some kind of amateur bus driver critic, nor do I wish any bad karma to this driver. Honestly, he's the most sociable driver I've ever had the pleasure of riding with. People on the bus, though, are so much different from the people at the clubs. There must be some overlap, we are all living in the same city, wandering the same streets day in and day out, but I have yet to see any.

The bus will be the source of many new experiences in the city. Especially now that I've learned my lesson.
Thank you, bus driver man. Pleasant journeys.
L