We went to Dungloe today to grocery shop and we had an interesting experience. The bus that goes between here and there turns into the one that does the three town runs. We arrive at 11:30-ish and Joe or Michael, whichever of them is driving, stops on Main Street. Then they drive on in a loop around the town, stopping at the three grocery stores (Aldi, Lidl, SuperValu--all next to/across the street from one another), then the small hospital, then the social services building. It takes about 10 minutes. Then they're off until 12:30 when they do it again. Then again at 1:30. Then we wait until 2 and head back. So people do their shopping and put things on the bus. Today we had to go to the post office, so we did that, went to Aldi, got our stuff, and Joe put it on the bus. He drove off and we went to Lidl, getting on the bus there when he came around again. Lidl is the first stop on the town run and when we got to Aldi, he was concerned because he was expecting a woman, her partner, and their three kids to be there with loads of bags. They live on Tory Island, so would be getting off at the pier, waiting for the ferry, and getting home that way. But if they missed the bus, there was no way to get to the ferry, unless they could get a cab, but it's a long way--probably about an hour. Anyway, there was no sign of them. He asked if we were in a hurry and we said no, so he went into Aldi to look for them. He didn't see them. He said he'd take a run back to Lidl, where he got out again to look, and then to SuperValu. No sign of them. So we got back to Main St and several people go on with their groceries. We took off and I was pleased when Joe drove by the road where we usually turn off. He was going to check one more time. As we passed Aldi, I saw a group with a trolley and one was waving. 'I think they're over there!' I said. He said they were, turned around and picked them up, loading their stuff into the back of the bus. Whew! Then when we got to Bunbeg, he stopped at the pharmacy so the guy could run in. We waited for him.
Isn't that cool? I thought it was a great illustration of kindness and care on Joe's part. With all of the terrible things going on in the world, I think noticing these moments becomes more important than ever.
Here's hoping your day is abundant with such moments!
7 comments:
I was thinking that no one complained about being a bit late or sitting and waiting for the guy. The whole experience just made me smile. It was nice. 🙂
This is really a wonderful experience dear Shari,
so nice that you share it with us. It must be great to live in a place where people still look out for each other and are helpful. Stories like this would have to go around the world so that every bus driver reads them (because I've had rather unpleasant experiences with this professional group. Possibly the same for the bus drivers with their passengers - something like that rocks up...)
All the best, Traude
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We've never had a bad bus driver in Ireland--and we've been on lots of buses in the past 8 1/2 years! The small rural buses like this one do have a different vibe than the larger buses going longer distances, though.
We did experience a jerk as a passenger a couple years ago--he was drunk and verbally abusive, not to mention threatening violence. When the driver kicked him off, he was verbally abusive to him and spit at him. No one was sad to see that guy go!
What a nice story! Maybe this is 'rider retention' in rural Ireland? How they keep the passengers well-served and such? By knowing you all, taking care of your particular needs and interests, they can build a loyal ridership and really provide a meaningful service. This is what 'the world should look like' really, how lovely that you get to see it play-out any time you go to town! <3
It's been interesting to see the differences in how these little rural buses/drivers work and how the larger buses/drivers that go longer distances between larger towns are. That said, once when we were on the bus from Donegal to Dublin airport, the driver accommodated a guy who needed to stop at a local pharmacy in a small town along the way. We waited while the guy went in and got his prescription. It was nice.
Wow I so love that! It's just such a more humane way of being! <3
It really is.
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