When I'm on the bus, people sometimes pull the "please let me off now" cord for bus stops. So far for me, the bus has magically stopped where I needed to get off, which is good. I'm somewhat new to the bus, though, and worried that one day I will have needed to pull the cord, and the bus will not stop, and I will have not noticed that I needed to pull the cord, and then I will be Very Late. In my mind's eye, it is probably also snowing and I trip on the stairs and rip my pants and then am Muddy and Bleeding in addition to being Very Late. Being late makes me Very Anxious, so I've been a little nervous about this whole cord/no cord situation.
So this is what I would like to know: How do you know whether the bus is going to stop at the bus stop, or whether you have to pull the cord?
Monday, January 12, 2009
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11 maids a-milking:
Where I went to college, if you don't pull the cord, the bus will not stop (even if every single person on the bus is going to the student union and the driver knows this is where they all want to get off). And then the driver yells at you for not pulling the cord. So I always pull the cord just to be sure. I like the little ding sound.
Always pull the cord. If someone has allready pulled it, it's no problem, it won't ring again. Though you should be able to look up front and see if it already has a sign that has lit up to say "stop requested" and then you'll know.
Besides, pulling the cord is the best part. When I was just wee, my I would bounce up and down on the seat, and say to my dad, "Can I pull the cord? Can I pull it? Now? Now? Now? Now?" and I still sort of feel like that deep down every time. (and I ride the bus 2X a day, 5 days a week, for the last 10years.)
When I was in 7th grade I rode the city bus from my school to my Dad's work which was near the University of Texas campus. I was absolutely terrified of the bus not stopping and having ride the bus in circles all day. I picked a landmark and made it a point to pull the cord right when we hit that landmark so I could be sure to avoid getting trapped on the bus. The whole experience was very stressful. Those giant college kids were scary!
I get anxious about getting off when I need too as well. At least I know that there is another stop not too far away. The exercise will do me good. Except for me, I will be wearing my "don't walk to far in me shoes" and that's why I'd be riding the bus in the first place.
I used to be afraid to pull the cord. I remember once riding a bus with my mom when I was little and I must have reached up to grab the cord. My mom told me not to pull it or the bus would stop. All I could picture was me pulling the cord, the bus coming to a screeching halt causing everyone to fall out of their seats. I didn't want that to happen!
I always pull the cord. If you don't pull it, the bus won't stop (unless someone else pulls it or the bus driver sees someone waiting to get on the bus - you've gotten lucky so far!). Yesterday a girl was running to the bus, late, and then when she finally got on, gasping for air, she promptly spilled all her bags on the floor while looking for change, and I thought "At least that's not me this morning." Because sometimes it is.
Oh my. I think my mother must have said something similar to what Lynetta's mother said, because I for some reason thought you only pull the cord if there's some sort of bus emergency and you have to get off somewhere that isn't a stop. I've always looked at people pulling the cord in fear: Like "Wow this happens a lot that people MUST GET OFF RIGHT THIS SECOND."
Where I live now they don't even have cords in the bus, it's a plastic yellow strip that usually reminds me of flypaper. I have no idea how to work it, and like you I have always just been lucky that they bus stops where I need it to.
You push the yellow strip, almost as fun as the cord. :)
Everyone needs to re-frame the cord pulling from a great fear to one of the true small delights of the day. Think to yourself "Can I? Can I? Now? Now? Now?" (bounce). How many times do we get a ding, and then what we need from a tiny wrist flick?
What you should not do is pull the emergency break on the Subway. That is the NEVER your mother told you about. Even if you are sick. Faster to get off at the next stop.
We don't have subways in my land--maybe she just wanted to pull it herself. I'm excited to pull the cord. Who knew?
In Mexico they stop the bus for roosters, guitarists, singers and the government doing random checks for Pepsi cola! :o)
I rode the bus home from high school many many times. Wow, that was so long ago! I had some experience though, because when I was little, my mom used to take us on public transportation field trips. We took the bus and train to a more than a few places.
Anyway, I was going to leave some pull-cord advice, but Meg said almost exactly what I was going to say. Even the part about being excited to pull the cord when I was little. My brothers and I fought over the honor.
The only thing I would add is that if you do miss your stop, just pull the cord right when you realize it, walk to the front, and let the driver know. They will probably stop at the next convenient place for you, which hopefully will be only a couple of blocks past your regular stop. :)
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