The Joys of Public Transport

Up here in the North of England we have a very efficient public transport system such that having a car is almost unnecessary. There is just one BUT here and that comes when it snows. My daughter and I decided to go to the movies at the Metrocentre a large shopping complex otside Newcastle today.

It has been snowing here for the last week and the snow is a couple of feet deep in a lot of places. We trudged through the snow to get to the bus stop without major incident (no polar bears sighted or huskies lost) and the trip there was uneventful.

We watched the latest Harry Potter movie, or I should say my daughter did, as I was asleep for half of it.  We then went to get the bus home again at 5.20pm.

No problem, we got to the terminal quickly and the next bus was due at 5.44pm. It was cold but with the help of a Greggs cornish pasty I survived. 5.44 no bus, 5.50 no bus, 6.05 no bus, but no worries the next bus is due at 6.14. No bus, but next bus due at 6.44. Alas, 6.50 no bus, 7.00 no bus. Then the 7.14 didn't come. We were getting annoyed and there wa a long queue forming. Luckily for my blood pressure the 7.44 for no particular reason turned up and we got home.

Very annoying, no explanation from the company but I have to say the passengers took it very well and the bus driver was unscathed (it wasn't his fault).

So Stagecoachbus shame on you. An explanation would have sufficed and relieved the frustrations felt by many.

I will stay at home tomorrow and write articles instead of braving the weather.