Metro Transit Bus Drivers In Action...sorta....

I've always thought bus driving was a bit of a stressful job...I've also thought it takes a certain kind of person to drive a transit bus through the downtown streets, loaded with passengers, navigating traffic, pedestrians and everything else, all the while staying on schedule....tough job...

I've also had the pleasure to know a couple of bus drivers in my life, and therefore know of what I speak...bus drivers, or at least the ones I know, tend to be a little...well...um...let's say, 'quirky'

Now, before you jump on me, I am referring to the ones I used to know, I can't speak for all the bus drivers, nor can I speak for any bus drivers but....I don't have to, they are doing it themselves, and if actions speak louder than words, they are speaking volumes at high pitch....

Just last week a metro bus driver made it to the news when he refused to allow a Muslim woman wearing a traditional 'niqab' on board the bus. A niqab is a form of head scarf. According to a witness, reported in the Metro, metro's daily free newspaper, the bus driver began yelling at the woman because only her eyes were visible. The driver stood up and raised his voice, according to the witness, and repeatedly told the woman that he wasn't letting her on the bus, saying "that's the law" over and over. Um....what law is that exactly?

Apparently, after about a ten minute stand-off, the driver called his supervisor, then allow the couple to board and continued on his route....

For their part, the general manager for Metro Transit told the Metro News that Metro Transit believes in fostering diversity....uh-huh...I guess they do because the next Metro Transit Bus Driver to leave us wondering, well he was driving his bus down Spring Garden Road in Halifax when he spotted a group of seal hunt protesters who were protesting to mark the International Day of Action against the seal hunt....He stopped the bus on Spring Garden, got up, left the bus, ran across the street and began clubbing a fake seal the protesters had on display....yes...I said, clubbing a fake seal....on Spring Garden Road...in front of witnesses....

I so wish I had been there to see that.

Metro Transit is investigating both incidents....