HSR Bus Operators

 

A favorite bus route.

When I lived in the downtown Hamilton area I rarely rode HSR transit because everything was within walking or cycling distance.  All that changed about three years ago when I moved up the mountain to ward 7.  Having to rely on public transit to get around is going to be a chore. I thought this is going to kill me, I mean traveling on a crowded bus with strange humans. Yikes!  :P

It's amazing how we adapt to new enviromental living conditions eventually I got use to traveling by bus on a daily basis. I do have issues with noisy passengers who talk loudly on their cellphone or have nasty personal hygiene. :(

The HSR operators I've spoken to are an interesting group which include the veterans, the newbies, the kool kats and the hotheads. One time a veteran bus operator who was about to retire sparked a conversation with me and shared his HSR stories. As I was about to exit the bus I said to the man it was a honor to listen to his stories, I never saw the veteran bus operator again.    

About six months ago riding the Upper Gage bus I was sitting near the front when a car cut in front of the bus, to avoid a collision the bus operator hit the brakes. Whew!  That was close!  I saw it all and said to the operator "That was dangerous he could have killed himself"  The operator agreed and we started talking about the dangers of the road. From that time on whenever I saw the operator driving his route who I shall name 'Mr. B' we'd exchange greetings.  'Mr. B' is a friendly talkative fellow and to my surprise and interest he shared his life story with me which I won't go into detail on a public forum.  

I'm a long time YMCA member when one day I saw 'Mr. B' at the downtown Y fitness centre with a HSR colleague aka 'the big guy' they joined the club with high fitness goals which I applaud. These days we see and greet each other at the Y and a few times I've been a passenger on his bus. :)

Recently I read an article that the HSR 'bus barn' will be moving to a new location on Wentworth Street. N. this will be convenient for many bus operators. Say goodbye to the ass end of Hamilton aka Upper James location. :D

From this passenger's point of view HSR management should be proud of their fleet of bus operators both male and female. I've only ran into a few bad apples. 

Tk

Courtesy of Urbancity Hamilton