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Message |
    
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2251
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:01 am: | 
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This morning I thought I would take the later jitney. I needed a little extra sleep. So instead of leaving the house at 7:20, I left at 8:20. When I was a block away from my stop, I heard the Jitney out of the corner of my ear. I started HOOFING IT. The two teenagers saw me booking and started screaming -- hooting and hollering at the dork in the tie make an ••• of himself. As bad luck would have it, there wasn't anyone at the bus stop so the bus didn't stop. I was catching up to the bus and as I turned the corner, I started jumping up and down and hollering all to no avail. As I was about to start crying not sure what to do since I was already more than an hour late to work by taking the later train. I was about to head home and grab my bike and hoof it down for the next NYC train more than a half hour later. AS GOOD LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, that is when I had my first run in with the law. I guess by making a spectacle of myself, some good citizen happened to see me making a total fool of myself and decided to pull over and offer me a ride. I AM UNBELIEVABLY GRATEFUL to officer Mike (I didn't get a last name) but he was total gentleman, super gracious and what he did was a mitzvah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You saved my azz.
So as luck would have it, I got to the station before the jitney. I searched through my bag for a net jitney schedule to check the time it was SUPPOSED to arrive at my stop. I suspected he came early (as I've seen him do before) and I wanted a schedule to prove it. I asked the driver for a schedule and he gave me one, and I asked him if he saw me running after the bus. He looked at me and says, "I don't even know you". This set me off. First off because it's a lie and secondly, I'm not sure what it even is meant to imply.
I've been taking the jitney for 3 years (off and on) but the last 6 months I am pretty much a regular. I also am THE ONLY PERSON who INSISTS on flashing my jitney pass to him EVERY SINGLE DAY. I do this consciously because I am see him be SO UNBELIEVABLY RUDE to a few passengers for not doing so. I've seen him be nasty a few times, in my opinion unecessarily so. So I know not to get on his bad side and to be honest I genuinely avoid him for fear of his wrath.
I began to lose my cool with him. I don't know if he saw me or not, but I think he did. When he said he didn't know me, I also suspect that was a lie too. Very often I am the only person at my stop -- for some reason it is not popular. He then followed up his statement by saying, "That isn't how it works. You need to be at the stop before the bus arrives." I understand this, I totally do. But it sort of implies that HE DID SEE ME and he was going to teach me a lesson. I haven't had this problem before, so I usually do get to the stop on time. Also I have seen him stop and wait on the Elmwood/Lancaster and Parker/Burroughs way stops NUMEROUS TIMES. Too many to count. So he breaks his own rule when he wants to.
The conversation broke down a bit more at that point... I had a great morning. Thanks for that. I guess I've been initiated. Great. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6514
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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Alley, next time you flash him your pass, have a post it on top that says "F**k you I know you saw me" |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1787
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
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Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 993
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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Oh nasty... that was a mean thing to do.... I hope the saying what goes around comes around applies in this case.
Glad you found a good soul to drive you to the station. I hope your day rapidly improves.
SOP |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11818
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:27 am: |
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If the bus had passed the stop it is quite possible that the driver never saw you if he didn't check his mirrors. I don't think his statement about being at the stop when the bus arrives is evidence that he saw you.
I know how frustrating this sort of thing can be. Been there, done that. With the admission that I am an early bird, the best way to avoid the problem is to get to the stop a few minutes before the bus is due to arrive.
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dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 209
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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I use to take the Jitney to the station. He's a real prick to say the least!!  |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 748
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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This was a fascinating post because it left me wondering:
a) People actually use the Jitney?
b) You have to pay to use the Jitney?
Insane! I assumed realtors were shuttling it around town to look good in front of new NYC buyers, but that nobody actually used it in practise....and it costs??? |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 624
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:52 am: |
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Isn't the point that if the driver gets to the stop early then he should
wait until the scheduled time before continuing on? If he got there early
then OF COURSE there might not be anyone there yet! |
Stephanie N.
Citizen
Username: Stephanie_n
Post Number: 11
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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yup - people use the jitney and ridership seems to have gone up since we moved here last year. It makes Maplewood a viable option for people who work in the city, can't afford anything close to the train, and don't want to have to get to the train station before 6:00 am to find a parking spot.
It's a buck a ride and a yearly pass costs around $70 - which seems to be a pretty good deal to me.
I take the Hilton jitney, and one of my neighbors told me last night that he wanted to take the last morning jitney on Monday, and it just didn't show up. I know the schedule just changed, so that may have something to do with it.
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I'm Only Sleeping
Citizen
Username: Imonlysleeping
Post Number: 179
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 3:11 pm: |
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Er...TONS of people use the jitney. You must not be a commuter, since the three busses are at the station meeting every train, morning and night. It's one of the best things about living here as an NYC commuter.
Alley- I feel your pain, but it's hard to see how you have a right to be mad at the driver because you missed the jitney. Not his fault you slept in. And if he had stopped and waited for you then all of the people already on the jitney would have been mad when they missed the 8:28 train. That jitney pulls up right when the train is in the station, and even a few seconds can be the difference between making it and missing it. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2253
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 9:36 pm: |
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I'm Only: You are right. THAT particular jitney does only barely get in before the train. But in this case, it literally would have meant he had to wait about 5 seconds. I was really hoofing it. If there was ANYONE that had to be picked up at that stip I would have been fine.
I guess the issue really is that the jitney driver is a nasty person. I have seen him be unbelievably rude to very many people. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't have it in my head that this guy INTENTIONALLY didn't stop for me. Also keep in mind that I have seen him wait numerous times for other people (and they weren't RUNNING like I was). Now every morning when I get on the jitney, I get to seethe whenever I see his face. What a joy.
Yes I need to get out there earlier. But as I stated in my original post, THIS HASN'T happened to me before. After three years, that's saying something I think. I am always able to catch the jitney. I'm always out there early enough. Today, I took the later jitney and didn't realize that I need to be out of the house 2 minute earlier than the 7:20AM jitney. |
Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 7422
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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I find this whole episode boring. |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1696
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 7:57 am: |
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Alley-
Were you late to the jitney stop or not?
If you were then how can you blame the driver, a prick or not?
If not then i think your post has nothing more to do other than you suffering a bruised ego.
Maybe you can blame your Republican neighbor? 
-SLK |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1131
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 8:27 am: |
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As I was about to start crying not sure what to do since I was already more than an hour late to work by taking the later train.
That's a little ridiculous. C'mon.
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Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 640
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 8:38 am: |
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No it's not. Frustration and anger (at the situation) are VERY
strong emotions. |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1700
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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I am with Glock on this one.... |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1132
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 1:23 pm: |
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S.L.K.! Look what happened over at the reservation just a few minutes after your post! 
Scully - I can understand crying in a lot of situations...but not being mad and frustrated because you missed what is essentially an anorexic schoolbus. |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 645
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 7:25 pm: |
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I was thinking of it from the job angle. I know it would freak me out to be that late. Just me I guess. |
Lou
Citizen
Username: Flf
Post Number: 183
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 9:17 pm: |
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I can understand your frustration. It happened to me few times (without the luck of getting a ride from someone nice as you did).
And I know the driver you are mentioning, as I used to take that jitney almost every morning. I see how sometimes he can be seen as a rude person, however, I also have seen how people can be rude to him many times with no reason. I never understood why people have the snob attitude of not wanting to show their pass when they come into the jitney, because on any other transportation system one takes, it is always required to show somekind of proof that the passenger paid for that ride (either by individual ticket or pass), no matter how many times a day you take it (NJT for example!). Why should the jitney be different?
The jitney service is to assure that the passengers can take the train in schedule, As it was mentioned here already, sometimes the jitney just makes the train on the dot! Based on what I've seen sometimes, the jitney might take couple extra minutes in one stop (because there's lots of people to get in or someone is running) and it needs to make up that time by not being able to wait much longer on the following stops. Maybe that's what happened on that day. Since you were not on the stop already, he might have not had time to wait for you.
Even though sometimes he has a "mean face" on, just think that he does have his own good days and bad days. And like everyone else, he is just trying to make a living, so he can provide a good life to his family. I really don't think he is a bad person. If you will treat him with respect, he will do the same. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2258
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 1:54 pm: |
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SLicK and Glock: Fine I'm a little girl who cries. You happy? You two trolls VERY often have NOTHING to share. Thanks for proving it ONCE again. I've been bored by Strawberry. Certainly not the first time.
So I took the jitney on Friday -- and things got worse. I'll tell you guys about it when I have some more time to post. |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1723
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 4:07 pm: |
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Alley-
Coming out of left field as usual. I asked you a couple of legitimate questions that you failed to answer so I can better understand the situation.
But yes, I do think crying is going a little overboard.
And by no means am I defending some of the jitney drivers, they can be asses. I stopped taking the Hilton jitney home from work for a while and I know others who did the same. EVERYDAY the driver would ask me what stop I was getting off like it was the first time he laid eyes on me. It was apparent he was trying to skip over the stops he didn't need to go to. How many people ride the jitney where he can't remember what stop I get off? I finally told him sternly but politely "if you ride the entire route I will be getting off eventually."
He also showed special treatment to attractive women, letting them off anywhere they wanted rather than at the designated stops. One time I politely asked him if he would drop me off on a different corner (on his route right by my house, I needed to go to the bathroom really bad)) and he looked at me like I called his mom a slut and said firmly no.
I would always say thank you when dropping me off and he wouldn't say anything in return. He even got in a couple of accidents and really bullies other cars with the bus. A small group of us prayed everyday that he would get canned. One time he didn't show up for 2 weeks and we thought he did...turned out he was only on vacation...
After the recent birth of my second son i started riding the night jitney again. He doesn't ask me anymore. I guess he got alot of complaints.
-SLK |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1141
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 9:04 pm: |
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I dunno' it seems a little much to cry about though. |
P.A.G.A.N.
Citizen
Username: Mattfoley
Post Number: 690
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 9:11 pm: |
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Sweet William? |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1732
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 9:18 pm: |
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William? |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 683
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 9:32 pm: |
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Alley-
May I suggest drafting a Neil Simon-style play about your experience? Much less ends up making it to Broadway these days.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonaid. That kind of junk, you know. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2265
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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I'm not going to get too into it but, the next time I went to use the jitney, he refused to let me on. And started talking really loudly. I pushed past him and told him that he would have to make everyone on the jitney miss their train but I was staying -- he could call the cops if he'd like. He paused a bit and drove off. Then stopped at the police station and told everyone to get off and walk up to the tracks. So I don't get the sense he really cares if the people catch the train.
I walked to the tracks while he went into the station. While on the tracks with the train approaching, he shows up with YOU GUESSED IT the same cop that drove me to the train station the day the jitney didn't stop for me. Very funny coincedence that. Essentially, the driver told the cop that I disrespected him by using strong language. I told the cop that the guy touched me when he wouldn't let me on the jitney. The cop, befuddled by two grown men arguing over such inanity and realizing that I only had about 1 minute to catch my train. Told us that it was over. Let it drop. I got on the train, with my head REELING from the whole experience. And, no, I didn't cry.
So I had to figure out how to handle the situation going forward. I was going to post about it and get your feelings on the matter. But this morning I took the jitney and he didn't give me a hard time getting on. My major concern was that the first time I was alone at my stop he would just pass me by. Today there were 2 other people. My analysis of the situation was I could escalate the matter and talk to this person's boss or I could apologize for being disrespectful.
I did the mature thing. We shook hands, and it's over. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 712
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 5:27 pm: |
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I see an opera in this now. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2270
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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What do I have to say to make it into a Broadway Musical? |
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