Riding MUNI to Jury Duty

Photo Credit: Josh Wilburne

I caught the 27 from Cyril Magnin and Market to Harrison and 7th. A quaint little bus. Petite. With a very nice driver who I want to talk about. “Good morning!” he said to us as we boarded. After the crowded J Train this bus seemed luxurious. There were two little old ladies, moving slowly, who got on the bus before me and I swear the driver would have – if he could have – stopped everything to make them comfortable. “Hold on for safety when you’re riding MUNI!” he called out as we pulled away. Then he announced every stop clearly and well in advance. “Mission and 5th! Take care getting off the bus!” he said. And then, again, “Hold on for safety when you’re riding MUNI.” He said, “Have a great day!” He then answered someone’s question about where to get off for the Hall of Jutsice. “Not this stop,” said the driver, “but 7th and Harrison.” How cheerful. How very nice. I’m glad he’s a bus driver and he’s driving today. Spreading a quiet cheer, being practical and helpful, caring about his passengers. But what if he had a bigger role? What if he was a TV journalist? When it was his turn to speak, he’d say, “Now wait a minute. Let’s talk about the safety of women, or immigrants, or children, or people of color.” “Hold on for safety!” he might say, Hold on! Hold on for hope!” He might say, “Take a minute to think about whether what you’re saying has heart in it. Think about whether or not this mean thing you said recently was what best serves humanity. Think about it.”