Metro Route 2

ALL AGREED!
A bona fide, certified * (one star) bus route!
We the tax-​payers have the right to demand better service and more accountability.
Why? Because we pay for this.
* * * * *
The first bus of the day at 5:03 am (!) either breaks down before it ever arrives. Or it has one wild and woolly driver who is maybe on speed and occasionally replaces the regular driver – she arrives a few minutes early and leaves regular riders.
When it breaks down, the choice is to wait for the next bus 40 minutes later or to walk all the way down to the bottom of the hill and try to catch the Rapidshare D line.
That same afternoon the # 1 Kinnear bus has broken down and is stuck at 3^rd Avenue and Pike.
A few days later, I try the alternative bus-​route #13 and it is late 20 – 25 minutes. The «One bus Away» app is down.
The #2 and #13 both leave from Madrona Park and head towards Queen Anne – they diverge at the top of the hill, one going down 6^th West towards the cemetery, the other down 3^rd West towards SPU They should alternate every 15 minutes but about half the time piggy-​back by the time they arrive at the Counterbalance Park.
This sort of thing happens all the time. This is something which discourages me from using Metro, except as a last resort.
* * * * *
By comparison, in Boston, which I visited last week, even though the subway is crowded, I never waited more than 6 – 8 minutes for a train or bus. No, Bostonians do not wait 40 minutes for a bus, which is late, to get home.
Favorite Seattle explanations: «the bus broke down,» «wheelchair riders,» «the lift was stuck,» «too many people,» «traffic,» «an accident,» «a Sonics/​Mariners game,» «it was raining,» «this is public transportation,» «I was at Starbucks,» and rarely «I had to go home to get a bite to eat and then pick up my child at school,» and even more rarely, «my brother was getting a divorce.»
* * * * *
I have the sneaking suspicion that some drivers thumb their noses at the departure times on the printed schedule. And leave only when the spirit moves them.
It would nice if Metro spent more money on maintenance of its bus fleet rather than on false advertising («frequent,» «reliable,» «fast» service).
And disciplined or fired drivers of route 2 – 13 who consistently take overlong breaks resulting in very frequent delays in service of half an hour to an hour.
Kudos to the drivers who do their best to be punctual.
(Metro drivers have a very strong union, so they can’t be fired unless they commit a felony or intentionally run over a pedestrian).
But residents of West Queen Anne are stuck with Metro route ²⁄₁₃.
What a shame.
Passive-​aggressive people only get what they deserve.

This bus is either late or doesn’t show up at all. That is the most consistent thing about it. Seriously, unless you enjoy standing at random bus stops crossing your fingers hoping one will come along, don’t bother. If you are traveling toward the CD and see a 3 or 4 coming, take it and hike the extra block or two to your destination. If you are waiting anywhere on Union, do the same a hit the 11 or 10 on Madison. Less painfully, more reliable. Good times for all.

Normally I don’t mind taking the bus, infact I actually kind of enjoy a bus ride. It’s nice not having to drive. I HATE the 2. One time I got on and we went up the hill on right by the library. (it’s either Senceca or Spring) We stopped and did a driver swap. The new driver was a dummy and released the break and the bus slid back 10 feet. Gave me a near heart attack. Now I avoid that stop at all costs, even by walking a few blocks.
My second issue was the fact that the poles disconected from the wire and the bus stopped in the intersection of Union and Broadway. Annoying but would have been terrifying if I was on a steep hill.