Bob the Busdriver modeled for the Intercity Transit 2004 Guide. This copy autographed for my daughter Tayler.

Meet Bob the Busdriver ( aka my Dad ), who, after retiring from Teamsters after 20-some-odd years and taking a brief break from the work world, returned reincarnated as an Intercity Transit busdriver. After working 12 to 15 hours a day driving and delivering different goods, (based on his employer at the time) driving a bus was something he enjoyed. He didn’t quite view it as “work” as far as what he was used to in the past.

Meeting the many and varied personalities riding the bus is another aspect of his job that he has grown to love. Many of his “regulars” will greet him with a hug and/or a friendly smile and small talk.

On his bus with Tayler & Riley, a couple of years ago.

Having ridden an Intercity Transit bus during my teenage years, let me say there are a wide variety of personalities who drop their coins in the slot. From teenagers and suits heading to work, to the disabled and others living on a fixed income, they come from all walks of life. A point and contrast Bob the Busdriver enjoys and has grown to love in his job.


Let me introduce you to Beverly and Barbara, two of Bob’s favorite patrons. Beverly and Barbara were twins separated at birth, both with mild Downs Syndrome. Later in life, they were reunited and now live together with the aid of a social worker and assisted living personnel.

Beverly and Barbara LOVE to ride the bus! To the Salvation Army, or Goodwill, for a shopping trip, and then on to one of their favorite churches that serve meals to the poor for dining out. (They especially like the church if the meal of the day is FISH.)

Beverly and Barbara have none of the social etiquette and/or hang-ups that most of us live with on a daily basis. Much like any 10-year-old (although they are in their 50’s), they are happy in the simple things that life brings their way.

Each day brings them a new conversation with Bob the Bus Driver, and any other patrons willing to chat. One day it was, “Hey BOB, look at my new shirt! It has kitties on it!’ Bob, being the good natured and loving soul he is, remarked at how pretty both ladies looked today, and asked where they found such nice shirts. The reply was happy and good-natured as she said what a great deal she got at the Salvation Army!

“It was FREE, can you believe that?!”
Bob replied, “What a heck of a good deal that was!” Causing all around them to smile at the complete and happy innocence that Barbara and Beverly possessed.

Barbara and Beverly have that affect on a good many of Bob’s patrons. They always manage to bring fond smiles to the faces of their fellow riders.

One particular gloomy, dreary overcast morning in Olympia (Olympia is mainly made up of dreary, overcast clouds and rain), Beverly entered the bus sans Barbara. She immediately began the happy chatter that is part of Beverly and Barbara’s bus drive routine. Big smiles and a loud and happy, “Good morning BOB!” Ya think its gonna rain today?” One look out the window showed dark forboding clouds ready to burst at any moment. Bob replied, “I dunno Beverly, it sure is lookin’ that way!”

This particular morning had a suited up gentleman sitting nearby, listening to the conversation between Bob the busdriver and Beverly happily chattering on. With the mention of rain, the suit decided to teach Beverly about barometric pressure and build-up and how rain clouds form and release condensation. On and on this gentleman pontificated about the weather and cloud formation.

Beverly, with a curious look on her face, stared at the gentleman without blinking an eye or uttering a sound. Waiting patiently, admittedly with a little fidgeting one might see in a grade school child listening to a particularly boring morning lesson. But Beverly was polite and waited for her teaching benefactor to end his dissertation on weather. At long last (and with a satisfied charitable grin), he finished with, “Yes Beverly, I think we will definitely see rain and very soon! As the gentleman settled back, with a happy smile, Beverly gave him one more blank stare, and turned to Bob.

Without missing a beat, and with an excited grin, she said, “BOB! Did you know I have butterflies on MY socks?!” With that, Bob the Busdriver, smothering his laughter, asked where she found socks that actually had butterflies on them! Her excited and satisfied reply, “I had to hunt, but I found them at Goodwill!”
Bob the Busdriver did his best to not look in the direction of the suit, as each time he did, he couldn’t stifle the laughter.

Another time, Bob the Busdriver asked Beverly and Barbara an eye-opening question. He commented on how happy the twins were each and every day, and how much he admired and enjoyed seeing them. He then asked them if they ever had arguments or fights. Both women responded with shocked dismay, asking Bob the busdriver, “Why would we fight? We LOVE each other!”

I’m not sure completely WHY, but I have this strong urge to go hunting for socks with butterflies on them.