Earlier this week, the Daily News (L.A., not NYC) published an opinion piece wherein was stated the fact that some Metro drivers speak on their cell phones while driving. I and others to whom I have talked have witnessed such irresponsible behaviour, but after reading about it in a local daily, I decided to post this video from earlier this year.
Although the cell phone law banning CA drivers from speaking on their handsets went into effect on 01 July 2008 and the above incident occurred on 15 May 2008, Metro has for some years prohibited their drivers from talking on cell phones at all while driving. (Some drivers still use head sets in their left ears, which makes it all but impossible to capture on film while riding the bus.) Although the video is less than stellar in quality here (the driver can be seen in the rearview mirror at top center), I do have the raw video whereby one can clearly see the cell phone in his hand as well as the his lips moving—in the case that someone desires a copy of the original AVI file, which is 100 MB in size.
What is even more bizarre is that I have been told by Metro customer service operators that they are not allowed to speak to bus passengers on the telephone while the passenger is on the bus—and that this is Metro policy. (I have some such operators' names and the times called, owing to them asking if I am on the bus and then informing me that they must terminate the call immediately because of Metro policy prohibiting them from speaking to passengers on the bus via cell phone.)
Too bad Metro does not seem as adamant about following policy with their drivers despite the on-board cameras and customer complaints.
-BusTard
Liability Ins. does not cover hit and run damages! So after 20 yrs of not riding the Los Angeles public transportation, Back in the day called R.T.D. I found out its only got worst! Every day has been full of B.S. Im glad I found postcard size flyer, so I can voice and log my every day journey into the unkown. I hope you can join me there.
Posted by: Mr. vehicle-less | 10/14/2008 at 12:02 AM
Mr. Vehicle-Less,
If you rode the RTD, surely you recall that outrageous pledge to the bus riders about a them not having to pay if an RTD bus was late. (I forget how late a bus had to be for riders to not pay, but I have it somewhere from when I usta write about my misadventures in downtown during the 1990s: "Los Angeles Downtown Diaries.") Someday I will find that silly RTD promise.
In any case, welcome aboard. Grab a drink, a camera and a crash helmet; it is bound to be a bumpy ride. We look forward to what you have to state!
Posted by: BusTard | 10/14/2008 at 12:39 AM
he should be ashamed of himself. This is a no no.
wireless home business cheap cell phone plans
Posted by: cell phone plan | 03/20/2009 at 10:32 PM