Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

uptown_gargoyle t1_j26c9k6 wrote

I've never ridden the 17 or encountered this driver, but I really appreciate people posting about good SEPTA experiences on here. This is the type of gossip I like.

387

yzdaskullmonkey t1_j26yzei wrote

I would love more of this. Just a reporting on weird phillyisms but mostly positive and at worst crazy

62

debbie12487 t1_j27dk57 wrote

While walking around our neighborhood with our toddler and infant a SEPTA bus driver pulled over to let my toddler on and beep the horn. It was out of nowhere and it made our son's night.

61

Bikesandbakeries t1_j27p7vw wrote

I rode the 2 long enough to have a fav driver. Woman drove like she was making up time and in a way Id describe as cheerfully aggressive. greeted everyone and asked us how we were doing, loudly, and as youd expect, seemingly knew half the riders as if they went to school together. And if anyone got in her way or did something silly she would talk/react as if she was a sports fan reacting to a game. Always a good time if your blood pressure isnt already high.

38

strapinmotherfucker t1_j2a5uvb wrote

This was years ago but there was a 17 driver who got into a full on altercation with a postal worker for parking his truck in the bus lane, like this dude clipped the back of the mail truck, threw his hazards on, and got off the bus to yell at the guy, I wasn't even mad about being late for work.

3

mbash013 t1_j27gzyr wrote

I really want SEPTA to thrive, but the forces that be keep making me dread it. I’m glad this post exists. Just the other day, I had to shuffle around a dude taking a shit in the middle of the stairs at the 34th st MFL. He wasn’t taking a shit in the corner like everyone else does, he literally dropped pants like 4 steps down from the sidewalk and dropped a messy heater mid day. This man had a turd hanging from his ass and had the audacity to ask me for change as I shuffled by holding my breath.

21

shillyshally t1_j28r178 wrote

Gotta wonder about that person's life journey that led to that and zero embarrassment.

8

Billy_King t1_j27qyrg wrote

Eh. I always liked the Ride the Ducks tour guides. Obviously completely different, but my most fond memories exist of that even though it's a tourist thing

2

katecrime t1_j29qvb6 wrote

I lived on Lombard Street in Center City for several years when I first moved here. I cannot tell you how much I hated those Duck Tours. Because I could hear the tour guide patter with the loudspeaker in my apartment. So loud. Every time they went by.

The horse carriage tours would come by less frequently, but I didn’t mind hearing the clop-clop of the horses at all ;-)

3

ocky_brand_redditor t1_j26vd3h wrote

Don't know him but the real goat is the trolley driver on the 34 who gives u historical facts throughout the trip

152

surprisedkitty1 t1_j28m9fl wrote

Is that one trolley driver still around that narrates his route using odd similes? He was a youngish white guy, and he’d always be saying stuff like, “And now…we are going around this curve…like a ballerina…leaping past her dance partner…”

He was odd but made the ride enjoyable.

43

BarrishUSAFL t1_j27a4c3 wrote

Is that what he's saying? I never really understood him because the sound system isn't great and it was usually 6am and I was asleep.

I'm not bashing him. I thought he was great. Just, y'know, never understood him.

23

shipsass t1_j293sbu wrote

Coming up from under the river between 22nd and 30th Street, he said “and like low-waisted jeans, we rise…”

9

sparklydude t1_j27h9mu wrote

The guy who always has one of the trollies with a muffled speaker and has a raspy voice? I ride with him all the time, nice guy

7

GundamKyriosX t1_j278tlu wrote

Oh, thats Frank! He's sweet. He switched to the 79.

100

postgrad-dep18 OP t1_j28mr35 wrote

He drove the 17 last night! Must have subbed in. Sad to hear, I never ride the 29

31

OwnAlternative t1_j29dniu wrote

I saw him on the 79 route. He mentioned going back to the 17. Maybe he's temping other routes now.

13

000katie t1_j270z10 wrote

Yes!!! I ride the 17 often and once my key card didn’t have enough money, which I was not expecting and was genuinely surprised by, I was like “oh shit!” And he said “I won’t tell anybody if you won’t” and shut the door and started driving. I love when I am on his bus!

87

rufiooooooooooo t1_j28lpez wrote

Well ya just told us Katie! 🤦🏻‍♂️

39

000katie t1_j28pvts wrote

I’ve never been good with secrets

27

Kyuui013 t1_j29hkos wrote

it has been Zero Days since Katie kept a secret. Name fits!

5

Ng3me t1_j26rg0q wrote

Bus and trolley drivers are freaking saints and heroes.

51

I_DESTROY_HUMMUS t1_j26loyh wrote

I took the 17 to work for a few years, miss that guy

43

Aromat_Junkie t1_j26vwr6 wrote

My mothers regional rail line, all the times I have taken it, has a fabulously nice guy who is dressed up seasonally. Think tie with little light up christmas ornaments. I love a good conductor, bus driver, pilot or flight attendant, nurse or really anyone who makes you welcome in a place that is generally an uncomfortable kafkaesque situation

42

tough_ledi t1_j26lm46 wrote

He passed out lollipops sometimes lol. He kinda stresses me out with his aggressive niceness tho heh

31

Gram-GramAndShabadoo t1_j2892to wrote

Definitely write into septa giving this guy praise. When you work with the public and your boss gets a shout-out about you and passes it along... it's amazingly wholesome and could really help the guy even more in the mind of his supervisors.

27

shillyshally t1_j28rku9 wrote

Agree! My dad did not leave much wisdom behind but he did pound in the importance of praising workers to their bosses, preferably in writing. It happens so rarely that, when it does, it has a huge impact.

3

GibMcSpook t1_j26uwx6 wrote

I rode with him once and I really did appreciate his cheerfulness and the effect that he had on the ride for me and certainly everyone else.

23

gia_is_a_penguin t1_j2761l7 wrote

I’m so happy to know he’s still driving and doing well! I took the 17 2x daily (on week days) for 9 years straight and haven’t been on it since covid hit and made my life virtual. He is the best!

10

Puckslapper2 t1_j26zusw wrote

Yeah, the older dude with the glasses. I've had several trips with the guy. He still drives the 17 as far as I know

9

Reasonable-End5147 t1_j27f0en wrote

There's the sweetest lady bus driver on the 37 bus to the airport in the morning & she's friends with a bunch of regular riders & chats with them about their lives the whole ride.

8

The-Unmentionable t1_j270uzp wrote

He’s awesome! I haven’t seen him in a bit now that you mention it, though I might just be missing him

5

cashonlyplz t1_j28uars wrote

I love our SEPTA conductors/drivers. I wish the organization they worked for supported them better. They are transit workers not social workers.

4

tomyownrhythm t1_j27m6ub wrote

OMG, he’s the best. I miss him since moving out of South Philly

3

AbsentEmpire t1_j28h33z wrote

He's great, always brightens my day. Haven't seen in a little while though guess I've just been missing his bus.

There's another driver on the 17 in the morning who's also great, she always greets all the early morning commuters with a cheerful good morning, and knows all the regulars. Also drives hard to stay on time and make connections.

3

Reditate t1_j28ows2 wrote

Isn't that Frank Dimeo?

3

strapinmotherfucker t1_j2a5jwo wrote

Is he an older white guy? I think I remember him, I used to take the 17 to work.

3

otterlikenoother t1_j2b2f52 wrote

Oh- the trolley operator who recites one line poetry or weird/ dubious info about certain locations. Love that dude.

3

ReddVsBloo t1_j28l01z wrote

I know exactly who you are talking about, he sometimes has candy!

2

dragonflyzmaximize t1_j28z2l5 wrote

Aww, that's cute. Next time maybe slow down and say thanks? I feel like it always goes a long way. Great post.

2

postgrad-dep18 OP t1_j2c0p8z wrote

I will have to try! Just a second doesn't hurt anyone, even if the person behind me is also rushing to get out, I am sure they enjoyed the ride also and would not actually mind. thanks :)

2

OwnAlternative t1_j29dfiw wrote

He's really nice and is on the Route 79 bus.

2

OwnAlternative t1_j29e1p3 wrote

I give out Wawa gift cards to the drivers on my normal routes. They're under appreciated.

2

jobean123 t1_j2alcuw wrote

I love this guy. I saw him everyday in middle and high school when I would take the bus home. He sometimes had lollipops for me and my brother. Great guy!!

2

RelaxErin t1_j28u1at wrote

He's my favorite driver!

1

The-Mighty-Monarch t1_j2c8ues wrote

Yes he always makes my day! I haven’t seen him in a while though.

1