Bus Stop

Standing at the bus stop
On a cold, windy and
Damp morning
Waiting for the first bus of the day at six.

On my way to work
And this is the first of
Three buses to get there
By eight thirty.

The bus stop is exposed
So the wind and rain when it comes
Can be quite vicious and unpleasant
And there is no shelter here.

There was one once
But it was destroyed
By vandals
And was never replaced.

And that was five years ago
I`ve got used to it
By now
So wrap up warm each morning in winter.

Sometimes there are a
Couple of other people
Waiting
But today I`m on my own.

Getting the bus isn`t ideal
But I don`t drive
And at twenty three miles to my workplace
It`s too far for me to even consider using.

My trusted old
Raleigh bike
That would mean setting off well before five
Before sunrise if I were even capable.

Of riding that distance
Then home again
In the evening
So I`m stuck with the bus.

I see headlights approaching
A few hundred yards away
The bus is coming
Be nice to get out of the wind and drizzle.

I signal the bus to stop
But it doesn`t even slow down
And just drives past
Got `not in service` on the screens.

I wait patiently for my bus
To arrive
But after three more buses
Have just driven past.

I`m getting annoyed
And worried I`ll be late for work
Phoned the bus company
And told they have staffing problems.

Asked when I could expect a bus
Going to my destination
Told they had no idea
And the phone went dead.

Very annoyed now
So have to try and book
A taxi to get me at least
To the change point for the next bus.

First taxi firm didn`t answer the phone
Second one answered but said they were too busy
Same story for another
Three taxi firms.

Left with no choice
But to phone work
And tell them
I`ll be late.

Manager obviously having a bad day
As told if I can`t get there
On time
Then not to bother coming in.

So that’s a day`s wages
Down the pan
Thanks Bus Company
For really screwing up my day.

Have tried looking for another job
Nearer home
But my work as an air traffic controller
Is pretty specialised.

And my current job
Is the only one like it
In the whole area
So not much chance.

Sent a formal complaint
To the bus company
With a claim against them
For compensation for a day`s loss of earnings.

Don`t suppose I`ll get
Anywhere
As the bus company simply doesn`t care
But it made me feel a bit better for a while.

It seems the local bus company
Is among the worst
In the whole country
With many lost journeys across their networks.

I think I might have
To take the plunge and
Take driving lessons
And hope that at 56 years of age.

I`m not too old
To grasp something new
Then if I pass my test
Dig into my savings and buy small car.

Bye, bye Bus Company
I won`t miss
Having to rely
On your sporadic services.

Got a week`s leave next week
So will have to see
If I can get an intensive driving course
For then probably at considerable expense.

It seems that the days
Of buses providing a
Public service are long gone
As now they don`t care about passengers just profits for the shareholders.