Its weird, twice I have written stuff here and within a few days I have found something in the paper that shadows my whole topic. For example:
Weird. It like he read it (my last entry). Of course, what I outlined probably goes on in every airport in the world everyday. Whatever.
Today, in an extra special “back to school” surprise the transit drivers in many parts ’round here decided that it would be a good day to have a “wildcat” strike. Oh boy. Now, consider that CementLand is on the top of a mountain, and that most people do not show up to a bus stop planning for a hike up a mountain. When I was driving to school I knew nothing of the bus strike. I noticed a girl walking up the road on Burnaby mountain wearing heels. This seemed strange attire for a hike up a mountain, but who am I to judge. I also noticed the wall of hitchhikers at the bottom, more than usual to be sure, but still within possibility. After going through the intersection near the top I was confronted with an unprecedented traffic jam. Now, I have been accused of being dimwitted before, but even I started to think that something might be “up”.
A few days ago, Translink (owned by the devil and with a president called George Puil (the devils son… apparently attempting to emulate that Castro’s guy’s dictatorship skills)) decided to privatize a certain bus route – giving the contract to a local taxi company. Even though I sort of believe Translink and its president to be somewhat evil, I don’t’ necessarily disagree with this move. However, it really infuriated the bus drivers, and the subsequent strike proceeded to infuriate many of the 100’s of thousands left stranded without notice. Blimey! I found this particular action interesting. I don’t ride the bus anymore – not because I necessarily don’t want to, but because a 12 minute drive in my car would be replaced by a 45 minute trip costing approximately $4 (one way). Now, putting myself in the frame of mind of a student attempting to get to the first day of classes at CementLand I see the following answers to this problem : 1) stay home – my choice had this occurred when I was still riding the bus 2) find a friend to give me a ride to school – considering I don’t know anyone at SFU (sorry… CementLand) this would have been difficult 3) walk up the mountain – sure I’ve done it recreationally but I don’t relish the idea of sitting in stinky clothing through the 4 hours of class I had today and finally 4) get a taxi – judging by the traffic jam today, complete with a great number of taxis, seemed to be a popular choice. Interesting eh? Lets go on strike to protest taxis taking over a bus route. Who could benefit from this? Hmmmm….. the taxi companies!! While I might normally embrace SFU creating free parking zones for those left in the lurch, I don’t necessarily endorse the fact that the parking lot that I PAYED FOR became free and I had an interesting time finding a spot later on in the morning. Screwed again!
Imagine your first day of school. A bit hectic and stressful, probably. Now imagine if the bus you were banking on never showed up. This would suck. Those first year students might also not know that the first class or two is generally worthless, so they weren’t missing much. MY first days of college were interesting. The first day of the first semester I locked my keys in the car, but it transformed into an interesting excuse to spend time with a girl I knew who gave me a ride home 😉 The first day of the second semester, I was strapped into a gurney in front of the crowded bookstore, loaded into an ambulance, and taken to the hospital (I had fled a classroom only to pass out in the hallway 3 or 4 times and fell down the big front steps of the school when I passed out again). This three block ride cost me $40 – which is probably the payment scheme that Translink will soon adopt. By comparison, I would gladly take a bus strike.