Like this recent Tweet shows, I have a love/hate relationship with OC Transpo, Ottawa’s bus system. On one hand, I am happy that we even have a public transit system—it’s not always a given in North America, where most households own a car or two. Besides, OC Transpo is fairly reliable and fast along the Transitway, its exclusive corridor. On the other hand, I do find tickets are very expensive, service is poor in some parts of the city and on some lines, the passengers are… ahem, interesting to say the least.
And then there is the frustration of standing at the bus stop, an eye on the road and the other one on your watch, waiting for your ride to show up. Buses are regularly late or cancelled and it can make a simple trip pretty stressful. Hell, I have walked over 5 kilometres to my destination rather than standing in the cold waiting for #14 or #176.
Observing people at the bus stop is interesting. Some folks fidget or light up a smoke, hoping for their bus to show up. Others simply accept their fate and focus on productivity or turn to entertainment, pulling their smartphone out of their bag or pocket. French would probably complain and rant together about the bus service, the city or politics but most of the time, Canadians keep to themselves. It is an individualistic society, I guess.
Meanwhile… I take pictures! Here are a few snapshots “At the Bus Stop”, taken this month in Ottawa.
It is the worst waiting for the bus at this time of year! The absolute worst, when the cold bites right into you and it takes hours to warm up again. I knit at the bus stop (predictably) and look at the bench remembering a time when I would sun bathe waiting for the bus, and trying hard to imagine that this bench covered in snow could be the same one!!
Yes, yes and yes! In fact, I don’t wait. I walk. At least, it keeps me warm!
I truly hate taking the bus, it’s probably the least reliable form of public transit. In Montreal I moved right by the métro so I would not have to take the bus ever again!
It’s funny actually, I have never taken the métro in Montreal come to think of it!
Do you know what that yellow thing is on the pole in Chinatown?
In the picture with the guy reading? That’s a pedestrian light button 😉
Reading this made me nostalgic (sarcastic sigh). Baltimore buses were always crowded though tickets were decent prices. Plus, buses were somewhat dirty so you always had to double check where you were sitting. And also questionable bus riders. It looks like Ottawa buses are pretty clean 🙂
Ottawain general is super clean I find!