Ask a Muni Driver

Our driver was on vacation so we only have a little bit this week, but today's post is more than enough to today as we tackle one of the biggest sources of Muni controversy-- drivers who run errands during their runs. And remember folks, you too can ask questions. Just drop us a line at editor@sfist.com.

Why do some drivers stop in the middle of a run to go to a store or a fast food chain? Is there an official policy about that?

Everytime I hear that, I cringe. This makes the rest of us drivers who do our job look VERY BAD. In the public's mind, we are all the same. This practice is not acceptable and unprofessional.

We are not allowed to go into a store or restaurant unless it is to use the restroom. It must be radioed in. This allows Central Dispatch to know that there is an interruption of service.

The ridership should document the date, time, bus #, run #, line#, outbound or inbound, and driver's #. Then call-in a complaint. If passengers are not willing to do that, the operator will do it again and again since no one complained about it.

We are to drink and eat during the layovers at the end of the line. Sometimes, we don't get that but it comes with the job.