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In the first past of our Very Special Ask a Muni Driver, our driver discussed what driving the lines are like. Today, we discuss two issues that always makes us wonder-- what do drivers do if they need to go the bathroom and just how boring is it to constantly drive the same route everyday for eight hours?
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start....
...as for the bathroom, this is a HUGE problem. A lot of drivers carry around empty plastic bottles…
There’s something called a ‘702’, which is a code that drivers can radio in to Central that allows them to take up to twenty minutes to go to the bathroom. The problem with this is that you’ve got twenty minutes when the bus is not picking up passengers and is obviously not going to be on time. This means the bus must go out of service and ‘deadhead’ (go forward without passengers) to the next possible point where it can catch up with the schedule. This is why you see some buses hauling butt without anybody onboard. Obviously you can really piss off not only the public, but your fellow drivers, inspectors, barn supervisors, etc. if you routinely take a lot of 702s so really there’s a motivation to avoid it if at all possible. I run into the bathroom issue often. I’ve almost peed my pants on many occasions (I know why they’re made of indestructible polyester!) I take my fair share of 702s, but try not to abuse it. But if there’s no bathroom at the end of the line, you really have no choice. Kidney and bladder infection rates are very high among MUNI drivers. We bitch and bitch and bitch and beg and cry trying to get more bathrooms, but somehow don’t materialize. Once in awhile the big bosses will cave to driver pressure and install a Port-O-Potty at the end of a line, but these are almost always broken into right away and rendered unusable.
Since sign-ups occur approximately every three to four months, and runs typically include different buses on different days of the week (and as I explained above, are often combos of more than one bus on the same day), boredom with the bus or the route isn’t really a problem. If you’re bored with a route you don’t have to wait long to have the chance to switch to another one. When you see the same driver on a particular bus for years and years, it’s because they like the route or there’s a strong financial motive to keep it (runs do NOT pay the same – again it’s all about the total hours worked on each day). If you can’t see yourself remaining content for three or four months at a time, you can sign up for the Extra Board, which is where drivers get assigned to cover drivers who are on vacation, call in sick, or any unfilled runs. This usually pays pretty well and a lot of drivers like doing it; the issue is that you may have no idea for sure how your day will go and it’s tough to plan.
The X factor for all bus drivers is passengers. If you’re ever tempted to feel bored, sure enough someone will spit on you, or better yet produce a “hot lunch” and leave it on the bus for the yard guys to clean up, assuming you can manage to drive the bus back to the barn without puking too. Passengers can be charming, friendly, anonymous and businesslike, and just purely awful – all in the same five-minute window. The same can be said for drivers, so I guess you could say that the driver’s day is probably going very much like YOURS is.
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Can't believe someone (not counting unmedicated crazies) would spit on a MUNI driver. Dude. What did they ever do to you?
If I remember correctly, there are cinderblock toilets (i.e. permanent portapotties) for MUNI drivers at the Ocean end of the 38 line and the Wharf end of the 49 line. These permanent structures are inexpensive, and they don't get broken into or trashed as easily as the plastic portajohns do.
MUNI should build more of these little shacks. The end of the line could be something anxious drivers can look forward to.
One is tempted to ask where is TWU250A when the drivers meed them. Seems the union is more effective protecting absentees than kidneys. And yes I am aware that NIMBYs stymie placing more permanent toilets
I see all these bus drivers bailing mid-route to get munches, but I totally would understand if a bus driver bailed mid route to take a 702!
I'm surprised management hasn't suggested giving drivers catheters!
speaking of obnoxious passengers, my favorite muni experience began with one:
the route is the 33 stanyan heading down stayan towards the haight after stopping at fulton street. just as the bus is pulling out a regular looking normal decently dressed guy comes running down the block yelling for the muni to wait. the driver didn't see him and kept pulling out. so then the guy busted out the smack-the-bus trick. except he smacked it really hard. like, way way to hard and kept doing it. that pissed off the driver who had started to pull back over and then decided not to.
so now the guy goes bananas and starts kicking and punching and smacking the side of the bus running along side it. everyone on the bus is watching the guy and annoyed. finally we pull away from him and he stops running and stands there cursing. we all chuckle.
then the bus driver drove about 100 feet then pulled over again as if he'd just noticed the guy. the guy can't believe his luck!! he sprints full speed down the hill to get to the muni. the very second he got to the front door the muni driver pulled away. everyone on the bus broke out in applause.
A few months ago I had just got on a 22 at Chestnut when someone pulled the slap the bus trick - except he hit the door so hard he broke the glass. So the driver had to throw everyone off the bus and take it back to the depot.
this guy:
sounds like the guy deserved it.
However, I have also had a driver close the door on my arm, then wave at me while he drives off.
No, I didn't bang on the bus, and no I didn't yell. I was just about to step into the doorway when he decided to close the doors and take off.
Thanks buddy!
I have an odd comment: I frequently ride the bus and I see the same driver a lot... and I really like him! He's firm with rowdy people and nice to polite riders. I know it's not a cool rant about a homeless guy who puked all over himself and caused all 150 people on the 71L to cram toward the front of the bus, but I just wanted to tell you all that there are good bus drivers out there. Thanks!
Two suggestions:
1. Supply official MUNI issued diapers. If adult diapers were good enough for that astronut who wore them to save time as she drove cross country to kill someone, they should work fine in our buses.
As "Michael" suggested, build more of those cinder block toilet buildings. The city could sell the corporate naming rights! For example:
Prius pee station
Lexus lavatory
Viagra vomitorium
Oprah's outhouse...
Once again SF would lead the nation!