As someone who takes the bus to class, I spend a lot of time thinking about how the city could improve their public transportation. Mostly, I think about those times I’m at a major stop and a bus I don’t need pulls up, and then there’s an awkward moment where I have to wave the driver away. And sometimes I don’t wave in time and the driver open the doors, and I feel obligated to apologize, or turn away and pretend to ignore them, or stare at my phone. Or all of the above.
What if, instead of just standing around a pole or a bench, there was some sort of light indicator of what bus we need? Like a streetlight, but instead of colours, it shows the bus numbers available to that stop. So if the Number 2 and the Number 3 both stop there, I can just press the “3” button and the Number 2 will know to keep driving.
Realistically, I know it would take a lot of money, people, and resources to commit to an overhaul like that. But it’s nice to dream of a system that makes it easier for commuters and drivers alike.
Image: Simer Haer/The Cascade
