The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-26
Bus Drivers Earn Pubic's Gratitude

Like most folks who, for one reason or another, come into fre- quent, or more or less continuous association with the public, bus drivers develop a philosophic, tol- erant, even patient, attitude toward their fellow-men, and learn to ac- cept the faults, and foibles, and frailties of the public with sym pathy and with understanding. There are few men in public service who have so much to contend with, so many problems to solve every day, as does the average bus driver. There are few men whose poise and patience are SO severely taxed by constant petty criticism, by so many foolish questions by selfish attempts to exploit the courtesy and respon- sibility of the service the drivers give.
 The bus drivers position is not an easy post, not a place TOT thoughtlessness or careleSsness or irresponsibility It calls for judg- ment. for restraint, for skill, for endurance, and for constant care, as well as courtesy. Schedules must be kept, whatever the weather, the traffic, the vicissitudeS of the high way, and the vagaries of the trave- ling public. Safety must be secur- ed, whatever the state of the high ways, crowding of facilities, or com petition for the right of way. Rules must be observed whatever the temptation to transgress them.
 The bus driver must, first of all, drive his bus well, carefully, and with due regard for the comfort of his passengers. He must be ready to stop at the signal of a potential fare, whether that signal be given clearly or indifferently. He must collect the fares, and keep in mind the destination of nervous and ill., informed casual passengers, as well as of his regular patrons. He must maintain order and some measure of control among his passengers. He cannot relax for a moment from the care and caution and discre- tion with which he must operate his bus over miles of changing high way.
 Yet the safety record of bu' travel, its safety, and its security and certainty, is marvellous. In thu light of the millions of miles travel ed. the frequency and regularity o bus schedules and service, the hun dreds of thousands of passenger carried, the rareness of serious ac cident and fatal mishapS is well night marvellous, almost miraculous Considering the difficulties, the all too-frequent lack of cooperation from his passengers, the strain up on his strength and poise. the bu driver deserves a much greater nee of praise than he is ordinarily ac corded. He rarely forgets the con venience and comfort of his pas sengers, their safety and thei satisfaction.
 Not all drivers measure up to tn ideal, but the great majority ran | lar HUpNC tkAC &NCA10C SAtA@~A sense of responsibility. in courtes
 ies and obligations of service,
 skill and patience and good humC
 with which they serve the publ
 and overlook its criticisms and as : pensions. Tn the course of the year
 they achieve sense of humor, sane, calm philosophy Of life, nice discrimination in their publ , contacts, and a sense of respons bility and unselfish service thi . make them rank among he best our citizens. just as they raj among the highest of our publ servants.
 Bus drivers have many problem to face and solve in the course
 every days duties. They must tai
 life as they find 1t among our ave-
 age Americans; and in the courI
 of the years. they come to kno
 human nature as it is. The
 courtesy. their good humor, the
 efficient service, deserve univers appreciation and regard.