LETTER: Shuttle drivers deserve thanks

Editor,

This letter is a written response to “Shuttle Drivers, be Patient.” As an Aggie Shuttle driver I think you should give us a break. I think it is a little harsh to rip into us for a one-time experience. The reason we have riders enter through the front door is so we can have proper rider counts, and so the school can properly allocate student funds, which in turn saves you money. I can see how you could make the error of walking in the back door. I thought those hard-to-see, big, red letters saying “EXIT ONLY” were only a decoration. We should be able to pick and choose rules that we have to follow. I mean, shoot; I just blow though stop signs (I just don’t like the red ones). As shuttle drivers, we are sometimes depicted as mean, insensitive ogres. Admittedly, we are not much to look at. Sorry. But honestly, do you think we actually go out of our way to make you late for class, skip your stop, or we just out right ruin your day? No. We try to do the best we can. As shuttle drivers, we go out of our way to give great service to our riders and to make it as pleasurable as possible. Hell, I feel sorry for those students who have to ride the bus early in the morning only to be greeted by me. I try to soothe their dismay with a smile and a good morning. Being a shuttle driver is very rewarding. The passengers are usually very courteous and kind. The drivers really do appreciate you students. Hopefully, it is a pleasant experience for the students. For those who want to show their appreciation to their bus drivers a simple “Thank you,” or “Have a nice day,” really makes our day. But please refrain from laying a lip-locky on the bus-jockey … at least while we are driving.

Adam Checketts