City Bus Driver

It was the last run of the shift, the sun was setting, and the air inside the bus was thick with the scent of teenage rebellion and something far worse. Between the Bluetooth beats, fruity fog and an unidentified chemical weapon left behind by a pensioner, I found myself refereeing a strange kind of peace treaty, with vape clouds as our only line of defence. School’s out, vapes are in, and one mystery stinker nearly derailed the lot. A tale of teamwork, tolerance, and a tactical haze. There’s a certain breed of chaos that only arrives when school’s out and the sun can’t decide if it’s setting or just sulking. You know the kind, restless energy, hormonal banter, and that dangerous combination of boredom and Bluetooth. I’d clocked the group as soon as they boarded. Usual weekend suspects. Faces I could sketch from memory, fair dodging routines rehearsed like a school play. One of them tried the classic "left my pass in my cousin’s car" routine. I gave him a look that said, “So...

Yesterday’s journey: Chaos, calm, and the courage to mediate. It was one of those journeys. You could tell before you even pulled up to the bus stop. There they were, a horde of high school kids, jostling in what could only be described as a rugby scrum masquerading as a queue. I braced myself. They weren’t so much boarding the bus as storming it, a chaotic tide funnelling through the doors with the collective grace of a stampeding herd. Coins clinked, tickets whirred, and the seats filled faster than you could say "last school bell." Thirty seconds into the journey, and the cacophony began. The back of the bus, where the unspoken rules of decorum go to die, erupted in a symphony of shouting, laughter, and the occasional unintelligible battle cry. Nothing particularly untoward, mind you, just the usual end-of-day exuberance that I’d long since learned to tune out. My focus was on the road ahead, navigating the pre-rush hour traffic that was already doing its best impression o...

Hitching Rides In the heart of bustling metropolises, a thrilling yet dangerous trend is sweeping through the streets—a trend that sees youth clinging to the backs of city buses, turning routine commutes into high-stakes adventures. This phenomenon is a blend of excitement and peril, capturing the spirit of rebellion and the need for thrill among today’s youth. But as the city’s pulse quickens with these daring feats, it also raises critical questions about the balance between exhilaration and safety. Let’s dive into this electrifying world where youthful exuberance meets urban risk. The Pulse of the City: A Day in Motion The Symphony of Urban Life As dawn breaks over the city, the streets awaken with a vibrant energy that reverberates through every corner. The rhythm of the buses, the steady hum of engines, and the hustle of pedestrians create a dynamic symphony—a living, breathing entity that is constantly in motion. The city, with its towering skyscrapers and endless avenues, serves...

Plot to Ambush City Buses Ah, the open road! Where the asphalt is smoother than a jazz sax solo and the air smells faintly of freedom... and occasionally, breakfast. Today, I've barely shifted into second gear when SPLAT! An egg hits my windshield like a scene from an avant-garde film festival. "Bullseye!" I imagine the mischievous youths shouting, their gleeful cackles a masterpiece of juvenile triumph.  But I’m not perturbed. No, no. I’m behind the wheel of my noble steed, a bus as gallant as any trusty charger, with passengers as cheerful as the best lines in a Still Game episode.  I glance in the rearview mirror. Mrs. Green, in her floral dress that screams “Spring has sprung!” even in July, is sharing shortbread with Mr. Smithers, who nods like he’s just discovered the meaning of life in a sugar crystal. Their laughter is infectious. Who knew gluten could be so jovial? “Watch out!” Mr. Smithers suddenly exclaims, pointing out the window. My heart races. Is it another...

Bike Bandit Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and anyone else who finds themselves accidentally stumbling upon this tale, welcome to the chaotic circus that is my daily bus route. Buckle up, because if you think driving a bus is all about smooth rides and scenic views, you're in for a surprise. Allow me to introduce you to the real stars of the show: the bike bandit blackguards. Picture this: I'm behind the wheel of my big metal beast, serenely navigating the urban jungle, when suddenly—bam! Out of nowhere, like a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates, four one-armed ice cream bandits on electric e-bikes burst onto the scene. They come whizzing past my bus, zigging and zagging as if auditioning for the latest Fast & Furious movie: E-Bike Drift. Now, these aren’t your average cyclists. No, sir. These are the daredevils of the asphalt, the Evel Knievel's of the bike lane, the Houdini's of helmet-free head trauma. They pop wheelies with the kind of reckless abandon...