In the Deseret News of Oct. 20, the "In Our Opinion" item about UTA was a gem. They've worked hard for years to deserve this. The item was so well done that one might almost suspect that Andrea Rouda had written it.
The item did contain inaccuracies, however. It stated that "none of the drivers are given maps or specific directions." And it stated that "they rely on the goodwill of passengers to direct their paths." Wrong on both statements! The bus drivers do have maps. The problem is with the drivers who have driven a route in the past.Then after months or years, they are assigned to drive that route for a single trip, but they don't bother to look at the map to see if there have been any changes.
When one of the passengers tries to show that "goodwill," the driver rejects the direction offered.
The attitude must be that no dumb passenger that rides the bus every day could possibly know better than the driver who has not driven the route in years.
The problem comes down to drivers that do not attach appropriate emphasis on service to the customer. They have the maps, the directions, the training and help and direction from passengers.
But they too often forget that the bus system operates for the passengers, not for the drivers.
Wouldn't it be nice if UTA was paying attention to comments such as these and the "Opinion" item? If they could instill in drivers a customer orientation, we might even find drivers who would exercise enough common sense to turn the heat off before a passenger has to yell at them.
Chris Coddington
Sandy