Tap - Part II

this is the 81N . . .

The bus pass tapping experiment took a setback last night by a broken fare box. All geared up today to continue the tapping procedure, much to my surprise the 7:57AM 81N ride takes place on a Valley Metro disabled rider van! No fare box, no tapping, but what an interesting ride.

The van turned into the pullout, the door opened and I asked if this was the 81N - the driver confirmed and I boarded. There were 5 double seats toward the rear and a big open space in front for a wheelchair and the ramp. Three other people occupied seats and I took #4. While the seat felt much better than the usual bus seat, the shocks clearly needed replacement. Everywhere we stopped, the driver had to open the door, and yell out at the people - "this is the 81N!" He overshot one stop where an ASU student (regular rider) waited. He hit the horn several times, but ipod buds filled her ears and she probably couldn't really hear. The driver didn't want to continue, but seemed reluctant to put the van in park and go outside to fetch the girl. Finally, a rider in the left front seat got out and yelled back at the girl, "this is the 81N!" The trend continued and the van quickly became SRO. ASU was the destination of choice for almost everyone, so the van stayed full all the way to College and University.

Good humor prevailed and the driver received a "thank you" from each of us as we got off. The riding quirks like this make public transportation so interesting.

Will check out the bus pass tap tonight.