Photo by Mike at Epic Road Trips

After dinner at Olivo’s in the Tenderloin I walked down to Van Ness and Market to catch a bus to Potrero Hill.

At Market and Van Ness I saw an underground where I could catch the N Judah which crossed the 22 Fillmore line at Church. I knew this was not the quickest way, but I know it would get me home.

I got to the turnstiles and there was a guy blocking the way as he was talking to the attendant in the glass booth. A woman who wanted through said, rather disgustedly “Are going in or coming out?” The guy said, “The trains aren’t running and I’m trying find out what’s wrong. But, you can come in.” And he stepped aside with a flourish.

Now it was my turn, I used my FastPass and then asked the attendant if the N was running. She said “Yes, but the are running slow. But they are running”. Ok. Down to the platform.

The above photo was what I saw when I got to the platform stairway. Everyone was milling round, some resignedly others were more agitated. Some were looking at there watches and mumbling. This was not a good sign.

I went down to the platform and then realized just how bad it was. There was not one sound to be heard in any direction. It was very eery. And to me it meant there was absolutely no movement in the tunnels. You can here the trains for miles down here and now it was absolute quiet. Time to leave.

I stopped on my way out and asked the attendant what surface transport I could take which would cross the 22 line going to Potrero hill. She thought for a moment and said, “Take the number 9 and get off at Potrero and 16th.” This intersection I knew well by now and so I thought I was on my way. But, when I got up to Market Street I could see no sign anywhere for a “9″ Bus stop. I walked a complete circle around the busy intersection and could see nothing.

Now what!? I went back down into the station using the stairs on the other side of the street. Again, I asked the attendant (a different one) the same question. She gave me the same answer. But this time another MUNI worker told me the stop was up at the Bank of America. He said “When you get to the top of the escalator go right to the stop for the 9 San Bruno”. Ok, now we are getting some where.

I did as instructed, and , guess what! I was right back where I started. Oh, brother… No sign of the 9 bus stop.

I noticed some people on the street car platform and decided to take a chance. I asked one of the ladies standing there where I could catch the number 9 and then the 22 and she said “On the other side of the Bank of America. It comes down Market and turns there.” Ah ha!

I crossed the intersection again and walked past the escalator I had come out of and it was then I realized what had happened. The previous instructions to “go right” should have been ” go straight to the first street, then go right. So, there I finally was, at the stop for the 9 San Bruno.

I had been waiting for about 5 minutes when I was surprised to see the woman from platform turn the corner and walk straight towards me. She came up to me and said “Oh, I see you found it. I just realized I didn’t ask you what direction you wanted to go on the 22. I said “To Potrero Hill”. And she said “You’re Ok then”. I thanked her sincerely for coming to check on me and I was quite amazed she did it. She could easily have missed her bus.

Now, to make a long story even longer. I boarded the San Bruno and confirmed where I needed to go with the driver. He said he would call out the stop when we got to. Groovy. I might get home yet. I sat down and we just sat there. The driver was having some king of long conversation with another MUNI employee. Finally she got off and bus driver said: “Sorry folks, Supervisor.”

The driver yakked amiably with several of the passengers and then called out my stop for me. I waited about 5 minutes and boarded the 22 behind several people. When we all boarded the driver stayed put, and looked around at one of the passengers and said “Is that wadded up piece of paper you showed me actually a valid transfer?” His voice was dripping with sarcasm. The older gentleman he was talking two tottered up to the front of the bus mumbling “It should be valid…” He showed it to the driver who dismissed him with a wave of his hand. What a jerk.

Next stop – same thing. Someone got on and I guess he didn’t stick his transfer in the drivers face so the drive stayed put and said “I didn’t see that transfer”. The guy ignored him – ear buds. The driver then got half way out of his seat and waved his arms and said the same thing. Guess this time the guy heard him. Satisfied, he finally pulled out of the bus stop. Brother…

Finally we got to my stop. It was nearly ten o’clock. I went upstairs and it was lights out in short order. Interesting day.

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