Maybe you should TURN IT OFF

[blue2000]

I went grocery shopping today. On the way back on the bus, some very loud music started playing. It turned out to be the driver's cellphone. So he stopped the bus, and pulled over to the side of the road to answer it!

It turned out that the person had hung up already, so he started the bus again. A few minutes later, we were waiting in a left turning lane, and he pulled out the phone and called the person back. By the sounds of it, it was his wife wanting him to pick up something at the store.

All I could think of, was "gee, at least he wasn't still talking when he made the left-hand turn, like one of the other drivers does."

But I still think it was weird to hold us all up for a phone call.

[madmusician]

Jeez. I would be grateful that he didn't try to talk while driving, but still!!! I wonder if you could complain to his superiors about that. Because that's insane.

[Adah]

I'd note the bus number/license and the driver, and report the incident to his supervisors or the city. There is no excuse for this. Bus drivers must get breaks during which they can take care of personal business.

[Brentwood]

If I were in charge of the bus system, that would be against regulations. Do not take or make phone calls while operating the bus, even if at a stop light. DO NOT pull over and waste bus riders' time to take a phone call. Make and take phone calls on your own time.

[Clara Bow]

Complain to the bus company. There is no way that was appropriate. People don't ride the bus for jollies, they do it because they have somewhere to be. There was no reason for you all to be held up because IIIIIIIIIIIIII have a PHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNE CAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

[blue2000]

People don't ride the bus for jollies, they do it because they have somewhere to be.

Most of us sat there politely waiting for him to start the bus again. I think sometimes we are so worried about offending someone, we don't want to speak up.

Funny thing was, he stopped about a block from the mall, and a disabled youngster in the front seat was not so polite about waiting for his shopping trip. He started banging on the frame and making angry noises like he was trying to kickstart the bus.
The bus driver started up pretty quickly after that.

[Sandi Papaya]

I would definitely make a complaint to the transit agency.

My mom rides public transit to work several days a week, as she has a very long commute (but has so much seniority at her old job that she did not feel like giving it up for a newer position closer to home - she retires next year, anyway). She was shocked that one day the bus driver on her route was texting - yes, TEXTING - while driving. She shrugged it off until the next couple of times she rode the bus with the same driver and he was still doing it. And driving like a maniac.

I've texted someone once or twice while on the road myself, but only at a stop light or if I was pulled over because I was lost) and only to let the person know I was on my way (to meet them) or running late or whatnot, because I couldn't get them on the cell for some reason. I am the queen of multi-tasking, but you can't tell me it's safe to text-message and drive at once. If you're texting, you are definitely not paying attention to the road.

Funny thing, ever since my mom called the transit agency on this guy, she hasn't seen him driving since. She doesn't know if he got a new route, but something tells me that's not quite it. My mom wasn't the only one who noticed him texting while he was driving...

[sammycat]

Definitely complain to the bus company.  His actions were way beyond acceptable.

[Cyndi]

Call and complain. What if someone was rushing to someone who was sick/dying and that person died before they could get there? What if they were about to lose a job because of lateness? UGH!