Better Days

Tiny bus

Having reached a nadir of disappointment on Monday, I'm pleased to report that the 385 did manage to turn a corner this week and began providing a better service on the 4:30pm bus on Thursday and Friday.

By which I mean that it was only 5-10 minutes late both days and on one of those days (Thursday) we actually got a decent sized bus.

Truly, my expectations of what makes a great bus service have really lowered since January.

Bigger bus

On Friday we were back on the tiny bus again, but it was at least a tiny bus with more seats than Wednesday. We seemed to be back to the full complement, rather than the all time low of 15 seats a few days before.

The driver seemed very energetic and vigorous in his approach and took a distinctly robust approach to the  first set of Offerton speed bumps, leading to passengers being slung about like sacks of potatoes and much loudly acerbic real time commentary from the wincing sixth formers.

Then, by St John's Church, the bus impishly (and, it has to be said, adorably) zipped past the double decker jam packed 383 like a youthful Fiat 500 zipping past a 4X4. 

He must have taken the real time passenger feedback on board as he took a much less bracing approach to the second set of Offerton speed bumps. 

It felt surprisingly invigorating when I stepped off the bus. Like the 385 and I were both finishing the week very much back in the game.