Reason #1 Timing (and Customer Service)
It’s not just that the 73 is late. A lot of buses are late. Sometimes it’s just traffic- I can understand that. Leaving early though? I need to get to my job! I need a reliable mode of transport! (Saying that, I can certainly rely on the 73 to piss me off). The person at the stop said the 73 left five minutes before it was meant to!
I wrote First Group a letter, feeling like a hero on watchdog or something, which said that I was annoyed that my bus had left quite a few minutes early from my stop. I got a shit reply which was something along the lines of:
I do apologise that the bus journey you have discussed, was late on the day stated in your email. I will ensure that a thorough investigation is put in place to find out the reason for this incident...bla bla bla bla more vague general bullshit...’
Thank you for your callous disregard for your customers. It’s clear that you put customer service at the forefront of your company’s values with your considerate and heartfelt response. The bus on the day stated was actually early but I look forward to hearing about your findings and the outcome of this thorough investigation.
Needless to say I didn't get a copy of their “thorough investigation”.
I know why it left early. I’ve seen it happen. Because the driver stops at Parkway station and then miraculously has time to read the Metro’s ‘Guilty Pleasures’. So, when I missed my bus that day, I waited for the next one which in true fashion, was over half an hour late and I got in trouble at work. All because he wanted to know who wore the best dress at the fucking Brit Awards.