More Transportation issues aka my life just got 1,000 more difficult!!!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

The bus saga in our town continues with an upsetting turn for me.
July first a new out of town co took our bus under their wing so to speak. All of July we had issues with them. They have a young, still wet behind the ears, boss man who won't listen to anyone. It's gonna be his way or no way.

I guess it all hit the proverbial fan Friday and he fired all the regulars from our bus line. Some people had to wait 3 hours for the bus that day. Now he wants us to go by appointment only. Must call by 11 o'clock to get picked up the next day. We may schedule rides up to a week a head though. Too bad for you if you are not on the scheduale and need to go some where.

They will deffinately NOT help anyone on or off the bus or with packages or anything. I assume if we fall down they will still call for help for us.

No loads over 40 pounds. Heck my 4 bags of kitty litter I get at a time fill that quota. Sorry cats, you don't get to poop I guess. After I got home I did order 3 of their big bags of food (16 lbs bags) plus some wet food from walmart to have shipped right to me. They don't do their size of litter bags though.

Absolutely NO PETS on the bus even in carriers. So my cats will never have a way to see their vet. My vet sometimes will send someone to pick them up if she has someone free. So, if we have an emergency, she could come pick them up but I would not be able to get there until the next day or even the day after if they didn't get sick before 11 am when I could could call and get on the next day's schedule.

I am so mad and so sick right now I can not even see straight. Just what I need while I'm battling bronchitis. It took a week to get out to Walmart to get my med. THANKS A LOT BUS BOSS MAN!!! NOT!!!

[Karen]

How terrible! Letters to the editor in your local paper, and cc to town/city hall. Sounds like the people in your town, particularly the seniors, need to get loud about this, and let people know it is NOT acceptable!

[phesina]

How awful!

I second Karen about getting the word out loud and clear.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I had to go to the post office this morning. So, I had it scheduled like a good girl!!! They have new rules now:

Starting Sept first you can only bring home what will fit it two canvas shopping bags. All rides must be scheduled at least a day ahead. One bright thing is that one of the drivers they fired has been rehired. At least I'll see a familiar face.

So, I called BOSS Man and had a chat with him.
Did not do any good. He told me 1. they are a general transportation service not a shopping service.

2. he manages the transportation in other towns the way he is going to run ours. I told him I bet they all have taxi services or other ways for people to get around, right? He hesitated then said well, a couple of them probably don't. I said well everyone there must be lucky enough to have family or friends to haul them around but I don't and neighter do some others. I pointed out that the bus is my ONLY means of going anywhere.

3. if we want to buy bus passes we have to TAKE THE BUS and go to the senior center who used to run the bus and buy them. I pointed out that would cost us an extra stop (which is $3 a stop) and lots of seniors did not have extra money for that. I did win that point. He said he will instruct the drivers not to charge us for going there to get a pass. However, we still need to schedule that stop a day ahead.

He did say I could schedule as many trips to the same place as I want each day as long as the bus is not already booked for that time. Great!!! I can now pay 12 dollars to get less than I could get for 6 dollars before he took over.

That's where we stand right now. I have heard rumors that our bus board who got us into this mess is chatting with HIS boss to see what can be done because they are not providing the service they promised when they took it over. So, I wait and see and hope I don't have a stroke in the meantime.

My blood pressure is in the danger zone today and I'm so dizzy. Can't get to a dr though. Did not schedule it.!!!

I did call my vet's office. She said if/when the cats need to see her she will send someone to pick them up and bring them home. So they can see the vet. I just can't go with them because it WON"T BE on the stinkin schedule.

I did place an order with Walmart on the net for their food and litter. It will be delivered to my door. They have free shipping on orders over $50. It takes longer to get here though so I paid for standard shipping for it to come this week. Oddly, the shipping was cheaper than taking the bus!!!!!!!!!!

I ordered it Monday. One of their food boxes just got here.
Pray for us PLEASE???

[Karen]

You will certainly be in our prayers.

[phesina]

This is just awful. I'm so sorry you and the many others in similar circumstances are being deprived of this essential service and then subjected to this patronizing treatment when you speak up about it. You certainly have our prayers.

I'm glad they are making these accommodations in your vet's office. At least there are some decent people in your community!