Becoming local

I feel like a true local. I wanted to share my bus journey home this week. Buses say they can carry 57 passenger seated upstairs, 42 seated downstairs and 52 standing. That's enough as far as I'm concerned, especially with the way these guys throw around their double deckers!! However, what we've discovered is these guidelines rather than absolutes, it really means get as many people on as you can!

So my local moment was standing outside a bus door, after having run down the road (the footpath was too full) to get there, hoping, but not hopeful of getting on when I got the nod from the driver. There was at least 5 inches square spare just inside the door at the front of the bus - I don't think I've ever travelled so close to the windscreen of any vehicle!! The bus driver was careful, he only hit 80kms on the overpass (only because it was up hill and he couldn't get it to go any faster), he just made the stop for the red light, and he stopped at least 0.4 mm to spare on each stop - can you ask for more?!?!

I hear you ask why would you get on this bus? There was at least 4 mins to the next bus behind, it was nearly 7pm and I'd just finished work, and it was the 18P rather than the 5X - the 18P takes 20mins to get to Kennedy Town, but if you're over 5'10" you can stand up straight, the 5X takes 15 mins but that's 15 mins with your head on the side!! It was after this journey that I reflected, this is what cattle feel like..... and this is a local's choice.