Bus Riders Are Still Waiting

BACKGROUND: Commuters on the No. 436 Venice-L.A. bus were shedding lots of tears (View, Feb. 23) after popular RTD driver, Andy Fowler, lost his freeway route in a “shake-up” that twice-a-year happening when drivers bid for routes. Of course, the more seniority, the better the pickings. Fowler, who had been switched to the Malibu and then the Venice Boulevard bus (No. 33), said he’d be back.

UPDATE: After the departure of Fowler--described as “an early-morning bus-passenger’s dream” because he did things like say “Good morning” and wait for late riders--the old bus just wasn’t the same. Some passengers wandered off in search of a near-Andylike driver.

Such a driver was found in Charles Gibson, who not only was kind to the paying customers, but once tried to flag down a freeway motorist to tell her that she was driving with a flat tire.

Last week the shake-up returned. Gibson was switched to the 33, and Fowler, well, he’s still on the 33. He says he thought he had a shot at the freeway bus--what with 16 1/2 years of experience--but he was outbid.

“I see some of my old riders and wave,” he says nostalgically. “I’ll try again next time. I want to get back.”