Manners Don’t Cost A Thing – Mairead Farrell On Public Transport Driving Her Around The Bend

I used to take the bus into town every day - even when I got a car first I still took the bus.

But since I’m going in to work when the traffic is light, around 7am, I began driving in. So it’s been a good few years now since I’ve taken the bus. With the arrival of Elena, (my lovely au pair), I thought it’d be nice to really show her around Dublin on my days off. Make her feel comfortable, help her get to really know our lovely capital. 

I thought taking the bus would be best because after all, that’s the mode of transport she’ll be using by herself. So we walked my son Dara to school and headed for the bus stop together. I had a load of coins weighing down my purse so that was the fare taken care of. The new fancy bus stops tell you exactly how long you’ll be waiting on the next one – “1 minute”. ‘Deadly’, I thought, ‘looks like its gonna lash’.

And just like that, I could see double decker approaching down the Ballymun Road. We hopped on and asked “how much for two adults to somewhere around Trinity College?”.”€3.80” said the driver – so I counted it out and we sat down. I was very proud of our efficient service so far. I told Elena that there are in fact three regular buses that pass very close to our home, so she’ll never have to worry about missing one. The walk from the bus stop to our house is less than two minutes too. So far so good! We spent that day strolling about College Green, popped into Trinity, strolled up and down Grafton Street, did a lap of Stephens Green, then we registered Elena in her English evening class. After all that it was time to head back to Glasnevin to collect Dara from school. Now, having the knowledge that the fare into town was €3.80, I counted out that exact same amount for the fare home. We got on at College green and I said: "€3.80 please" – the driver was clearly in a bad mood and said: “Where are you going?” I said: "Glasnevin” He said: “ Yeah, obviously, but what part?” He was saying this quite loudly and I was starting to take a bit of a reddner!

I said: “Ballymun road”, and he said: “Well that’s €4.30”. I was mortified now, because it looked to everyone that I’ve tried to get away with paying fifty cent! I challenged him, on how could it be €3.80 in and €4.30 home to the exact same stop only difference is its across the road?

His reply is the reason I’m writing this because I’M STILL FUMING!

He said: “Maybe that driver fancied you,” then he held up his left hand and showed me his wedding band and said in an aggressive tone: “ Your charm won’t work on me!” I fumbled around in my bag and found the extra coin and sat down with Elena, who at this stage was totally confused. When we got off at our stop he shouted after me: “Hey you – this is not your stop!” I said: “Eh, it is, I know where I live!” So clearly I had paid him too much - 50 cent too much, but that driver should go get himself some manners. They're FREE.

 

M x