Step one: Stop trusting the app. The transit app is an optimist. It believes the bus will teleport through traffic. It does not know about the picket line at the depot. Check the union’s social media instead—the drivers’ union, not the city’s PR account.
Are The Buses On Strike at Desiree Harris blog
Step two: Look for signs of life. If you see a cluster of drivers holding signs and looking annoyed (but also kind of cheerful with their coffee), that’s a strike. If you see a single bus with a “Sorry, out of service” sign and a driver napping, that’s just Tuesday.
And step three: Ask a stranger. Seriously. The person next to you at the stop has already called their mom, checked three forums, and can tell you with 90% certainty if the #7 is coming. Bus stops are the original social networks—crowd-sourced anxiety at its finest. (Just don’t ask the guy with headphones; he’s in his own world.)
The Emotional Toll of the “Is It a Strike?” Game
It’s a rollercoaster. First, denial: “No, they wouldn’t do this on a Monday.” Then, anger: “I’m going to be so fired!” Then, bargaining: “If I walk fast, maybe I’ll make it.” And finally, acceptance: “I might as well enjoy this scenic detour through the industrial district.”
I once spent an hour waiting, only to discover the strike had been called off at 5 AM. The bus arrived at 9:15, driven by a guy who looked personally offended by my existence. He didn’t apologize. I didn’t expect him to. We were both just pawns in the great transit game.
Bus strikes begin in south and west London - BBC News
