The best bus driver I’ve ever heard of.

I started taking the bus a month ago. My first day on my hour and a half commute 30 miles from Downtown Phoenix to Downtown Chandler I heard these words.

Take care and have a nice day!

His name is Andy. He talks constantly with helpful notes about if he’s slowing down or where the stops will be and what connecting routes are up ahead.

Today I made an effort to pay attention to every little thing he blurts out whether a passenger is listening or not. After telling bicyclists to be safe as they uncounted their bikes from the front of the bus he remarked “I really liked the emblem on that guys hat.” I asked him why, “it’s got like a red hologram looking thing on the front. It was really great. I need something to wear to the games but my wife says I have too many hats. I say is 300 too much?”

Pulling into a mostly empty mall in Mesa that’s a main stop for the bus system he states clearly and politely.

See you on the way back if not we will do it all over again tomorrow.

I had to run to make this bus today. A woman was running to catch it and got my attention. When we got on she said “oh crap I don’t have change.” Seeing Andy I said from behind her “I got it.” I proceeded to pay her $2.00 fair and he said “you’re alright” knowing I had my pass and recognizing me; making her day and mine.

Another time he says happily:

Thanks for traveling with me today.

To be recognized, to be known in a system created and designed to handle hundreds of thousands a day. It makes all the difference.

Calle Del Norte is next!

The men and women who come and go who recognize Andy smile and make small talk. The woman behind me is looking for a job center that she doesn’t know the intersection of and he’s helping her find it. Talking her through each intersection leading up to it. When she gets to the right place he says:

Good luck on the interview. Just stay positive and you’ll get it!

It’s almost as if his joy and belief in himself is causing this bus to pulse with life and love.

Thank you for riding with me today.