Dear MTA Customer Relations,
It happened again. Here is the information that you suggested I gather:
o Shirt sleeve # 34835
o Bus # 5453
o Northbound Line 60
o 7:10 p.m.
o Friday, June 06, 2008
o African-American
o Medium-heavy build
o Wore glasses
o Bus stop at Figueroa and 4th
Standing on the bus stop, I stood up as the bus stopped at the intersection. I raised my arm and waved, but the bus driver didn’t slow down. He instead stayed in the left lane and actually sped up! At that point, I decided to take a stand, angry at the pattern at this bus stop, and the apparent lack of action by the MTA following my earlier complaint letter.
(Yes, I made a spectacle, because apparently that’s what I have to do sometimes to get a bus driver to stop right here.)
Now at this point, the driver did slow down enough for me to hop on, and, as the door opened, I heard he was mumbling something about me.
“I wasn’t gonna stop for her,” he said to no one in particular. “but she ran out into the street.”
I said, “I always have problems getting bus drivers to stop right here.”
He interrupted me angrily and said, “lady, just SIT DOWN!”
Well, I was going to sit down anyway, so I did.
I started to tell him about my earlier complaint letter, and how I was instructed by the MTA customer relations to take down the bus number and other details, but he didn’t want to hear it.
“Lady just stop talking to me!”
Well, I respect the “no unnecessary conversation with the driver” rule, so I stopped. Besides, I’ve witnessed bus drivers kick off riders when they’re angry, and I knew that he had the power at that moment.
In any case, I focused on finding my pen and paper to take down adequate notes.
I wrote down the bus line, time of day, bus number and the number on his shirt. I noted his physical features as well. But I didn’t see a name tag, so I decided to ask.
As I exited the bus I said, “Sir, what’s your name?”
He yelled at me. “Lady, just GET OFF THE BUS!”
I informed him that I needed his name because I intended to report him to the MTA. His response surprised me.
“LADY, I DON’T CARE!”
Well, there you go. If this employee of yours doesn’t care if management hears about his unprofessional behavior, then what can you do? You have a conundrum on your hands — or rather, a loose-cannon employee. I don’t envy the management one bit.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I wish the MTA supervisor luck in dealing with this obstinate employee.
Melinda McCrady