PLATFORM : Everything Is Falling Into Place

I’ve been 18 years with the district, and I’ve never had a boring moment. There have been times when I wish there had been. On certain (bus) lines, it’s a little too alive, if you know what I mean.

On the Blue Line, it’s a little too active at the grade crossings. You fear making contact with another human being coming through there. You’re moving through there at 55 (m.p.h.) or 45--most times 55--points where other vehicles are crossing. That’s a little hectic, mentally, but you learn to cope with it, try to take every precaution.

Everything is ironing out pretty good, though. I think the Blue Line will be something that will be around for a while. Everything is falling into place. We’re getting the bugs out of the system.

I wouldn’t look forward to driving a bus (again). Some of the guys look like they’ve died and gone to heaven! That’s the way we relate to it. It’s a different atmosphere. We look back over the crowd, and we have a nice class of people--nice clientele of people--going to work. They’re reading the papers, and we try to give them as smooth a ride as possible. We have a system called ATP--automatic train protection system. And if a train up ahead breaks down or whatever, and we don’t know it, this is something that will shut us down right away.

I went through extensive training (for this job)) and I didn’t know it was going to be that extensive. I went home on many days and told the wife I might just go back to the buses. I didn’t have this many exams when I was in college! I’m glad I did now. I’m glad I stuck with it.