Musings, Norfolk

A Jolly Good Day – On The Bus

Gemma - Wheelescapades

Today (well a few days ago by the time you’re reading this) I had probably the nicest bus driver I’ve ever encountered. Odd way to start a post you might think, but for me finding nice customer service, or just meeting friendly people can make or break your day. There’s nothing more disheartening than getting a service from Mr or Mrs Misery, frown set in, grunt at the ready.

I’m sure nobody enjoys catching the bus, well unless your 5 years old maybe. My niece loves it, makes her feel grown up I think, and seems like you’re going on an adventure, somewhere you can’t reach by car!

But still I persevere with catching the bus, it’s often easier and less stressful than parking, around here anyway. Norwich is growing and stretching but they don’t seem to realise the more exciting and diverse a city becomes, the more people are going to visit, so more cars. Yes there’s park and ride, but isn’t that a faff?! You’re still driving and parking, just paying for the privilege of getting a bus for the last couple of miles. It makes the city less congested, I know! But I’d rather just get the bus for the whole of my journey, if I’m not going to drive.

So I persevere with the bus, and boy do I meet some characters! Drivers and passengers. It’s actually quite nice having a chat with a stranger on the bus, sometimes. You also make ‘bus acquaintances’, a nod of the head to say hi, here we meet again.

Finding a jolly bus driver though, can be quite the challenge!

I’ve had a couple, the odd one that says hi as you board. Todays was the exception though. Today I had a friendly bus driver experience. I knew from the start he was going to be a good’en. I could tell by his face as he pulled up looking all friendly and pointing me towards the non-grass area where he was going to pull up allowing me an easy board. Unlike some that I swear park in the most awkward places, hoping it will deter me. It doesn’t.

Most buses these days are accessible. By accessible I mean there is a pull out ramp and just enough room for me to squeeze into my space, as long as there aren’t too many buggys, but I’ll come to that later! By squeeze I do often mean literally squeeze, knocking into other passengers knees on the seats in front. I then have to reverse park my wheels, dodging a metal post, with all eyes glaring. I’ve been known to get a round of applause, I’m not sure if this is good. Many times have I been told I ‘drive that thing better than I do my car’, I smile pleasantly.

For some reason (health and safely, even though my chair isn’t fixed down so it’s not that safe is it?!) I have to park facing the rest of the bus, my admiring audience. This is great for a bit of people watching, which you must admit we all love to do. But can get a little uncomfortable when you realise you’ve been staring at somebody and eye contact is made!

So today jolly bus driver said good morning as I got on, didn’t huff when he saw I needed the ramp, asked where I would be departing, and waited for me to park in my spot before he pulled off. No, none of this should be a call for applause or deserve a bus driver etiquette medal, but it does. This is a rarity. So often am I made to feel a bus inconvenience, by the driver and other passengers. A driver that looks away hoping it’s not his bus I’m waiting to board, hoping he doesn’t need to leave his comfy seat to lower the ramp. Shutting the door in my face saying ‘there’s no space’ when I can plainly see there is….. yes this has actually happened. Passengers that may be asked to move their luggage, passengers with a 4 year old in the biggest unnecessary pushchair you have ever seen, that when asked to collapse huff and tut and struggle with the monstrosity. Can someone tell me what’s wrong with those collapsible buggys these days? You know the ones that just disappear to nothing with the flick of a foot?!

Today was a good day. There were no buggys, no luggage, in fact the bus was almost empty. Also I had Mr Jolly Driver who gave the bus a pleasant atmosphere. Saying ‘hello’ ‘good morning’ ‘good day’ to all that boarded. A smile in place. Bus being chased down the road by a latecomer we pulled over to let him board, panting, thanking and trying to pay, he didn’t feel rushed. We were with him, we felt his stress, his happiness. We were the happy bus!

This particular bus journey was to Norwich, where I would see the encouraging, enriching, British biopic Breathe. I must confess I didn’t know much about the life of Robin Cavendish before today. I wont ruin it for you (you can google if you like!), but how he lived his life has impacted mine more than I realised.

Also any film with the line ‘I know a rather jolly pub down the road’ has got me gripped from the start!

I learned something today.

Anything is possible. Even a friendly bus driver!

Published by Gemma - Wheelescapades

Whenever friends and I are out we always end up discussing, critiquing, analysing where we are and what we are doing. From talking about the food we are eating, the soap in the toilets, the awful bus journey to our destination, anything and everything we encounter. Because of my disability (SMA type2) many of the situations we get into, issues we discuss and laughs we have can be due to wheelchair access. Often me getting stuck in mud or shingle, or me making my way through the most cram packed shop you can imagine, wondering how I am ever going to find the way out again! I aim to write a blog that describes these dramas, tells stories of our laughs, adventures and frustrations, while giving detailed information on accessibility and wheelchair access. Also I like tea. ALOT. The quality of the tea often determines my return just as much as the accessibility.

40 thoughts on “A Jolly Good Day – On The Bus”

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  8. Hello before my disability I was one of those bus drivers no no not the bad ones the one that insisted that people get out of the handicap spot let me put the seat up and load a wheelchair the ones that said good morning or good afternoon that pulled up to the curb in the right place for you to load that lowered my bus without asking

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  10. Wonderful. It’s the little things that people do that can really make a difference to one’s day. It doesn’t take much to be polite & considerate, some people really struggle with this , so am glad you found a bus driver who doesn’t.

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    1. You’re right, it doesn’t take much at all. We should all try to give a stranger a smile now and again (not a creepy smile 😊!) or help someone out with a kind gesture. It can make a persons day.

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  12. I’m thrilled that the public transportation system is starting to catch up in terms of accessibility in your neck of the woods. Here in Romania, not so much. Generally buses are overfilled cattle-cars peopled my grouchy commuters that haven’t discovered the advantages of personal hygiene and deodorant.

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    1. Yes I have to appreciate how lucky I am with wheelchair access in England. I speak about lots of things that need improvement but there is change. We still seem to have the personal hygiene issues here too though!

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  14. Since I passed my driving test I rarely get the bus but I used to get it every day and you’re right it can be rare to get a jolly bus driver. It does make a hell of a difference though. I totally agree with you about the little prams that easily collapse people seem to have these giant prams that are totally impractical for bus journeys and cities!!

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  15. I so agree with the friendly bus driver making a huge difference. The same in all customer service. I often think everyone should be made spend a year in customer service themselves where possible so they can understand it!!glad you had a lovely day

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  16. I do love it when you find a friendly bus driver! I am an American living in Germany, and I am still learning very basic German. So, as you can imagine, it can be a struggle to get the correct bus ticket. Even more of a struggle if I a get Mr. Grumpy Pants who doesn’t like my broken German. Luckily, I have found some pretty friendly bus drivers lately. It sure makes your day a bit brighter to have a smile and a little help along the way.

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  17. As full-time travellers we are frequent bus users, actually used to live in, it was converted into a reasonably luxury motorhome 🙂 Yes, it is so important to have easy access. When we are home, I sometimes take a bus ride with my Mum who has Parkinson’s, and we have buses that lower down for the elderly or whoever needs it, as well as ramps!

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    1. Buses and public transport has definitely improved in recent years, I remember a time when they weren’t accessible to me at all. In Norfolk England anyway!
      That sounds great, I’d love to travel around in a fully kitted out camper van! 😃

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  19. My niece and nephew are the same with buses! They will come to London and then just want to ride on the public transport!

    My mum used to be in a wheelchair so I remember how tough it used to be for her to use buses at all. I am glad it is getting better (some days, when there is a jolly driver!)

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    1. Things are so exciting as a child, why do we loose that?!

      Yes public transport has definitely improved in recent years. And is actually a lot better in England than some place. So I can’t complain too much. Other than about Mr Misery’s anyway!

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  20. I do actually know what you feel. I had 6 months in a wheelchair following an accident, and you are totally right the way people interact with you is so important. It’s already difficult, but a decent attitude can make it tolerable. X

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      1. Some folk get off on it, weirdos! For others it stems of arrogance, and more have no choice because they’ve been grumpy for so long they’ve forgotten how to be any other way. It must be a miserable existence

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