Column

March 2005

The Red Bus of Many Colours

The red double-deckers in London: we see so many of them on Oxford Street that sometimes they look like a red train. Safety regulations, now mean that we find more modern buses these days, yet the good ol’ buses that let you get on or off as you please are still going strong in the tourist areas.

While one bus might look identical to the other, this is not the case of bus number 13. Although the exterior is the same as any other bus, the people operating it make it seem so special.

As this bus begins its route from my nearest station, it’s usually not so crowded when we start the journey. But one day, when I tried to get on, two of the staff stood blocking my way. I looked up, wondering what was going on.
“You’re late! I’ve been waiting for you!” The grey haired conductor says to me with a fierce look. Then the driver continues:
“Yeah, I wanted to start, but he says that I can’t unless his girlfriend arrives,” and gave me a smile. Even the scary-looking conductor started to laugh.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I had to wash my hair,” I replied to their little joke and I was finally allowed in.

On another occasion, there was a serious-looking conductor who claimed he had a Japanese girlfriend. Eager to practice what Japanese he’d learned, we managed to communicate-sort of. Then all of a sudden, he announced:
“Tsugi wa Finchley Road desu, Finchley Road de gozaimasu.” He announced the next station in Japanese! As if to say, “what do you think about that?” he gave me a cheeky wink. I wonder if the other passengers understood what he said. He must have been pleased to have had the chance to practice, because he didn’t take my ticket and I was allowed a free ride.

Sometimes, there is a black conductor who has the greatest smile in town. He laughs and smiles even while collecting our tickets. “When you laugh, time goes by quicker!” he says and starts laughing away. His laughs make the cloudy grey skies look as though they are clear blue, and the passengers start to look merrier too.

One freezing cold day, my hands were as cold as ice and I was having difficulty getting my ticket out of my purse. Then an elderly conductor said:
“Oh it must have been freezing,” and wrapped my hand in his big chapped hands.

All the characters I’ve described wear the same uniform-a white shirt and a pair of blue trousers. But they are all very different and as their personalities are so lively, they make even a simple ride on the bus feel pleasant. They show that the key to projecting your image is to ensure that you reflect the uniqueness of your individuality and do not simply rely on what you wear. These people prove that it is possible. They try to make their work more enjoyable, which is how it should be, especially in the service sector. They are the people who lead their lives in their own special way.

The red number 13 bus has all the colours of the rainbow...at least that’s how it looks to me.

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