this post was submitted on 15 May 2025

88 points (100.0% liked)

Introductions

308 readers

101 users here now

Howdy! This is a comm for new and old users alike to introduce themselves and what their hobbies/interests are. This is also a good place to ask questions on anything you'd like to know more about, and generally to get acquainted with Hexbear and its users.

Rule #1: DON'T DOX YOURSELF - Don't post/comment any personal identifying information. Obviously it's ok to talk about yourself, but make sure there is no information that could potentially lead to doxxing yourself.

Rule #2: BE NICE - Assume everyone making a post here is doing so in good faith. Keep in mind that people introducing themselves may have limited knowledge of site history, in-jokes, etc. Also keep in mind that new people might not have the same understanding of leftist theory and/or knowledge of global politics that you do. We were all there once, so it's not a bad thing to be reasonably understanding and patient with new folks. Likewise, for those who are introducing yourselves, please have an open mind, be willing to interact and make friends, and don't come here with the intent to start fights.

Rule #3: DON'T BE A JERK - Any sort of transphobia, racism, homophobia, ableism, or other forms of bigotry will lead to an immediate ban. Similarly, harassment, being a creep, "chaser" behavior, or anything else done to make others feel uncomfortable will be dealt with harshly. Also try to keep any fediverse drama to a minimum. It's assumed new users are posting here to make friends and not to wade into any previous or existing conflict between instances, so please be respectful of that.

Rule #4: TRY TO BE HELPFUL - It's encouraged to help newcomers wherever possible, including explaining various aspects of this community, providing helpful resources, sharing similar interests you may have, and suggesting comms that they may be interested in.

Rule #5: USE CONTENT WARNINGS - For anything that might be considered a sensitive topic, please use the spoiler format along with a content warning to give people a heads up on what is being discussed.

If anyone has any feedback or any suggestions for improvement to this comm, don't hesitate to reach out to the mods here. Thanks!

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Hewo :> I’m back after a few years away… i like the vibe here now. Public transport gal slaying away at chipotle 🥲. Howdy! (hexbear.net)

submitted 22 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

43 comments fedilink hide all child comments

You can call me Katy (she/her)

I used to lurk back when the name just changed to hexbear but after some fallout i decided to leave. I really like what you’ve done with the place 💁‍♀️ the vibes are exquisite.

I really like public transport and trying to get a city job like driving the bus or even working for USPS but ideally public transport is my thing. I love 1920s-1950s black and white obscure films and i occasionally go to a theatre every time i have the day off. Trying to map out every theatre in my area as a fun lil hobby.

I love pizza and candy and i used to love burritos but after making them about 50 thousand times i am no longer a fan 😔🥲. If you’re ever in my area I could make you one for free though so hmu if you’re in the area 😛also would be really fucking cool if i can unionize my store because I’ve been able to turn my coworkers more left just through having discussions with them and they all seem to be on board with everything i say. Slowly but surely!

But yeah, good to be back i guess even if its a different vibe than one I’m used too. Don’t be shy!

top 43 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 7 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

hemlo comrade!!

catgirl-heart

Welcome back to Hexbear~

I really like public transport and trying to get a city job like driving the bus

As a fellow lover of public transportation, driving a bus has been the most exciting and fulfilling job I have ever had! Not only does it satiate my interest in transportation, but its the one job where I finally feel like im providing a compelling service to the community. It feels like I can make a difference by providing fast, safe, and friendly service to people. Its something worth considering!! but there are a few things to consider:

Training and Hiring process:

giant-rat :

Be prepared to wait for the Hiring- it took me four months from my initial submission of the application to get interviewed, have a drug screening, have my background checked, and perform the DOT physical exam to finally starting the job.

Training requires zero CMV (Commercial motor vehicle) experience and is even paid! Trainers may rush on certain aspects and be thorough on others- they may also be pushy sometimes. Depending on how your city operates and how desperate they are for new bus drivers (hence forth referred to as operators/ops) they may let up on their pushiness as to not overwhelm and discourage new ops.

One thing worth noting is while their training is very comprehensive, they may paint the city you'll service is as this magical wonderland where no antics happen and every single bus stop is immaculate and clean. If you're able to work past that , nothing will surprise you.

Regardless Training is going to be easy at first- but as it progresses and they go from "how to turn this bus" to "get ready for the driving exam" it can get overhelming (especially with Pre-trips ugh). Depending on the city/state you live in, the DMV exams will be done in house at the bus agency's training department, and the only effort required on your part is just dropping off paperwork to the DMV office to convert your driver's license into a CDL (commercial driver's license) At the end of training, your license should be a commercial with passenger endorsement. Your state may or may not also provide you a VTT (Verification of Transit Training) card which will be separate from the CDL.

Revenue Service/Seniority:

giant-rat :

While the job is unionized, and the union will back you up and do everything they will to stop management from telling you to work harder for less money, your "seniority" will be low. This doesn't affect your money, but it does affect what routes/lines you can bid and drive. "Chill and easy" duties with weekends off and consistent hours (for example) may be out of reach to you for the first few years. (I have Mondays and Tuesdays off and I found that working on weekends is easier, and I love having my weekdays off because more businesses and stores are open). You may find yourself working on the "extra board" which has inconsistent hours but pays well.

One thing I reccomend is READ READ READ the constitution when your local union gives you one. Back to back, whenever time allows. Its a slog to read, It helps you navigate the minutiae of the agency and what is allowed and what isnt.

No two agencies operate the same, and you may actually find yourself getting chill routes in the beginning, I work for an agency that operates in multiple counties and countless ops, so bidding is how work is assigned to people and the newer ops are basically bottom of the barrel. Bidding here is done 5 times a year, usually every season.

Comraderie maybe broken:

giant-rat :

I have yet to see the agency I work at produce any "surplus value" as nothing makes profit. Not only is everything funded by the govt, but everything runs at losses- even if every passenger on your bus pays full fare, the cost to run and maintain that bus will exceed whatever farebox returns are made. However, this does not stop management from trying to run the agency like a business. The union keeps them in check, so dont expect pay cuts or layoffs. But one thing they will do is sow discord among ops; particularlly with new and seasoned veterans. However, plenty of ops look past that smokescreen and will guide new ops through the system, these are the ops you want to hang out with as they are friendly, approachable, and extremely helpful. Their assistance will work hand in hand with reading that union constitution as you'll gain a better understanding of how the agency runs (And believe me agencies presumably run off of vibes and shenanigans).

Be mindful of road supervisors and operations control (the radio people), they operate in the same way as management and their only goal is to keep the bus rolling. They may try to steamroll you into doing something you dont like (such as operating a bus with a biohazard or continuing en route with a bad tummy ache) but you can steamroll them back by simply saying the phrase "I dont feel safe" because safety is as much of a priority as keeping the bus rolling.

Your clientele is going through it:

giant-rat :

As you know, we live in hell world. A large portion of bus passengers are marginalized groups who scrape by and turn pennies into quarters. A lot of them will not satisfy full fare or even ask for a "courtesey ride" (free ride). This is where my public service kicks in. Me, personally, I dont care about fare. My main goal is to get people where they're going safely, fare be dammed. As mentioned, the bus is already operating at a loss anyways.

You'll be picking up a broad range of people:: the unhoused, drug users, extremely depressed and extremely entitled. A lot of people will be angry, and may lash at you for things beyond your control (late bus, detours et al). Driving the bus will be the easiest part of the job, the hard part is the customer service. I've been called slurs and have had threats made to me. But I still push on. Nothing these passengers tell me is new, I've already heard it from my reactionary siblings and boomer parents. So im pretty patient with them. The bigger the city, the bigger the antics, rule of thumb.

But you will have WAY more positive interactions with people. Lots are super friendly, extremely chatty and love small talk, are super greatful when you show up (regardless if you're late) and may even give you gifts! No two ops are going to have the same experience. I know ops who work in the same yard as I do and have never had a really negative encounter. I find that being friendly and greeting everyone with a smile in addition to just letting them ride (NOT TRIPPING OVER FARE) really helps out in the long run.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

It's not a race:

giant-rat :

You will be told its not a race by the training department, but you'll be driving on streets where carbrains think its a race. Virtually every car will zoot past you, perceive your bus as an inconvenience, only for you and that car to wind up at the same red light. Even some truck drivers will look at you with scourn (Even though we're both commercial vehicle drivers- especially box trucks)I find car brains more harder to handle than the passengers themselves. I've already had two hit and runs. Be prepared to get cut off and screamed at by these carbrains.

Not only are you going to encounter automobile hazards, but you will encounter cyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrians I feel cant really perceive how fast your bus is going and will dart across the street assuming you're moving less than 10mph.

You will make contact:

giant-rat :

The more you drive, the more likely you're going to hit something. I've already smashed a mirror into a tree and swiped the bumper of a dodge pickup, so contact and accidents are inevitable. Try not to do it while on probationary period as the punishments are a bit more harsh during that time. But even during probationary, its more reasonable and cost effective to retrain you than fire you.

The benefits:

giant-rat :

I am not going to lie, its the best job I have ever had. Not only is the work stable and meaningful, but the benefits are absolutely stellar. Designer glasses with transitional lenses for only 10 bucks. No copay for exams and only 5 dollars for prescriptions and I finally get to start gender affirming care! I've never had healthcare this verbose, and the agency will pay your healthcare benefits to make sure you're healthy and happy to drive.

Not only is the healthcare stellar but so is the retirement plan. Depending on the agency you work for- you may get a pension plan from the union, a 457b (similar to a 401k) from the agency (and assuming you're in California) a state pension. You wont be paying into social security anymore, but any job you had up until the bus operator role will ensure you get a payout from them as well.

Also you get free bus rides! Just show the driver your work badge!

Every year the union will renew the contract which will mean a pay raise, in addition to that the agency may have a pay scale where ops get a raise after a certain number of months or years before they reach "top pay" and believe me, it will bankroll your life.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 12 hours ago

Final thoughts (I broke hexbear with my wall of text):

giant-rat

Overall being a bus op is just another job, but its a job that can last a lifetime. Its stable, checks dont bounce, benefits are stellar, and serving the community (at least for me) gives me meaning. I used to work in IT for companies that were in bed with military contractors or made useless doohickeys. It was a stable career until it wasn't. In the never ending chase for profits, silicon valley techbros will enthusiastically torture their workers until the very end and lay them off. Thankfully I got out before I was subject to the layoff part of their gamut of torture. The best part about having that CDL is even if you dont find bus driving fulfulling, having that will open the door to other jobs that are just as impactful to the community and stable (garbage trucks, towing et al).

I'd say consider becoming a bus operator! It has its easy and hard days but I'm confident you'll love it! and uhh

once again, welcome back to Hexbear

hexbear-retro catgirl-happy

[–] [email protected] 3 points 12 hours ago

Oh woow thank you for this!

I have a family member who rides a bus for the city and she just goes with the flow. I just think I’ll board the customers and if they pay they pay and if they don’t then I won’t make a fuss and I’ve been told that this is the way to do it from them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

I'm still here squirtle-jam

[–] [email protected] 3 points 13 hours ago

Hewo

[–] [email protected] 3 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

Hello fellow public transport enjoyer. Sharing this dope ass Moomin tram: https://youtu.be/B0LEp3-RoEo

[–] [email protected] 2 points 12 hours ago

So cute 🥰

[–] [email protected] 1 points 14 hours ago

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

[–] [email protected] 3 points 14 hours ago

Hai comrade ralsei-wave

[–] [email protected] 12 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

I really like public transport

Fuck YES I love public transport, ever rode a trolleybus? I tried them in Russia and they're dope AF. Sometimes you get someone who sells little paper tickets for the bus ride on the back, and you buy it for a few roubles and you get this tiny soviet-looking ticket and it's tradition that if the numbers match in a way I dont remember you're supposed to eat it.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

not gonna lie I saw all the new trolleybuses in pyongyang in a youtube video recently and SO COOL

[–] [email protected] 2 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Link that shit right now

[–] [email protected] 4 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) (2 children)

https://youtu.be/cFNFThla5t0?t=1970

around here but they're also in the background occasionally throughout

an older one https://youtu.be/cFNFThla5t0?t=477

https://youtu.be/cFNFThla5t0?t=498

https://youtu.be/pLOyYKv3ATg?t=1151 big boulevard wired up for them

another aerial https://youtu.be/pLOyYKv3ATg?t=1320

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

That's so dope. Western European countries are embracing fully electric battery-powered buses, and honestly, so sad. Hunks of lithium for no reason when we could have normal trolleybuses using 100-year-old tech plus a small battery for little route deviations depending on roadworks smh

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 hours ago

they're so sick. I mean for most places just send a tram but I'll take either

[–] [email protected] 1 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

[–] [email protected] 6 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Welcome back! We still have drama just ignore it and I hope you stick around

[–] [email protected] 3 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

😧🙈 what kind if you don’t mind me asking?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

The usual Internet drama of someone getting bent out of shape about something and going way too hard for way too long rather than just taking a little breather