Bus Service Needs a Spruce Up & What Happened to the Fun Drivers?

[WaltD4Me]

I know it probably won't happen, but I really think Disney ought to think about investing in some new buses or even just upgrading the exsisting ones. They weren't terrible or gross or anything, but you could tell some of the buses were really pretty old and need some sprucing up. I noticed it when we went in December and again on this trip, we rode on more old buses than newer ones and some weren't even very clean. It wasn't a big thing, but noticeable.

The other thing I noticed was the silent bus drivers. Again, not a big thing, but I remember when we went in 98' we always had nice, friendly and sometimes very funny drivers. They would make comments as we went by different areas or ask people where they were from or make a joke or two or at least tell you where you were getting off, but our last two trips, except for one or two drivers, most barely said "hello" or "good morning" let alone any other small talk. Again, not a big thing, but noticeable. I asked one driver if she knew about how long it might be until the next bus and she said "I don't know, I just drive them, I don't dispatch them." I chalked that up to a driver just having a bad day and I know the drivers are not tourguides or entertainers, but geez, a would a smile and a good morning kill them?

 

[snowy76]

Not that I disagree at all with your statement... but your comments also made me think of all the resort guests who are also totally silent to the drivers! We always make a point to say good morning/afternoon, or thank you, but we notice we rarely hear others do so. You can definitely tell by the reaction when a driver hasn't heard that in a while.

I certainly expect just a little bit of pixie dust, even on the Disney bus!... But I think as a society we have all gotten used to doing our own thing. I just read (maybe in a post here?) a comment about how we all build decks on the backs of our houses now, instead of porches out front. We want our privacy to the point that we ignore common courtesy. I see it every day at my school. I never let a student into the room until he or she has given me a proper greeting, and I never start a lesson without a "good morning, class!"

 

[Pedler]

The other thing I noticed was the silent bus drivers. Again, not a big thing, but I remember when we went in 98' we always had nice, friendly and sometimes very funny drivers. They would make comments as we went by different areas or ask people where they were from or make a joke or two or at least tell you where you were getting off, but our last two trips, except for one or two drivers, most barely said "hello" or "good morning" let alone any other small talk. Again, not a big thing, but noticeable. I asked one driver if she knew about how long it might be until the next bus and she said "I don't know, I just drive them, I don't dispatch them." I chalked that up to a driver just having a bad day and I know the drivers are not tourguides or entertainers, but geez, a would a smile and a good morning kill them?

I think it would be nice if the drivers did acknowledge guests when they get on I for one would rather they not talk while driving. I think there is a reason most tours hire a seperate guide to talk to the people on the bus and the drivers main focus is on getting there safely. I would guess that Disney drivers have it bit rougher than other ones in that almost everyone driving a car on the roads with this is a tourist and not that familiar with where they are going.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Now that you mention the silence of the bus drivers-yes, that is so true! We just got back from WDW last week, and no bus drivers said anything.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I think it would be nice if the drivers did acknowledge guests when they get on I for one would rather they not talk while driving. I think there is a reason most tours hire a seperate guide to talk to the people on the bus and the drivers main focus is on getting there safely.

I agree, getting there safely is most important, but I would always get on the bus and say good morning or hello and most of the time I was lucky if the bus driver even nodded in response, I don't expect a tourguide, but on past trips, I know the bus drivers would at least say hello with a smile and several made occasional comments on the trip to wherever we were going

On a side note, my flight attendents this trip were very funny, one in particular had the whole plane laughing (and paying attention) when she was doing the announcements and instructions.

 

[lajones81]

I know it probably won't happen, but I really think Disney ought to think about investing in some new buses or even just upgrading the exsisting ones. They weren't terrible or gross or anything, but you could tell some of the buses were really pretty old and need some sprucing up. I noticed it when we went in December and again on this trip, we rode on more old buses than newer ones and some weren't even very clean. It wasn't a big thing, but noticeable.

The other thing I noticed was the silent bus drivers. Again, not a big thing, but I remember when we went in 98' we always had nice, friendly and sometimes very funny drivers. They would make comments as we went by different areas or ask people where they were from or make a joke or two or at least tell you where you were getting off, but our last two trips, except for one or two drivers, most barely said "hello" or "good morning" let alone any other small talk. Again, not a big thing, but noticeable. I asked one driver if she knew about how long it might be until the next bus and she said "I don't know, I just drive them, I don't dispatch them." I chalked that up to a driver just having a bad day and I know the drivers are not tourguides or entertainers, but geez, a would a smile and a good morning kill them?

You know, it's hard to judge something like this, as I would hope this bus driver was just having a off day.

My friend and I went in March/April and found bus drivers to be wonderfully helpful!

 

[disneyloveralways]

We have also had drivers who said very little. But I can say we have had a few that were hilarious. We wanted to stay on the bus. Sing alongs and such. This was last summer. Just depends on the luck of whose bus you get on. Magic does happen.

 

[gshanny]

Not quite the same as bus drivers, but what about the poor people who have to direst those of us who drive into the parks ourselves. We were there in January and they always look so bored. I totally embarrassed my DD, who is 14 so everything I do embarrasses her.lol I put on the biggest smile and waved like crazy at the guy pointing us in the direction to park. All of the sudden the guy smiled and started waving madly back at us. Every day after that I would smile big and start waving and there was only one day the person didn't respond at all. My DS even started waving and getting into it and we would cheer when they waved back. It was a game for us. It got our day off to a fun start and maybe we brought a small moment of fun to a person with an otherwise boring job.

 

[the kabuki]

Not quite the same as bus drivers, but what about the poor people who have to direst those of us who drive into the parks ourselves. We were there in January and they always look so bored. I totally embarrassed my DD, who is 14 so everything I do embarrasses her.lol I put on the biggest smile and waved like crazy at the guy pointing us in the direction to park. All of the sudden the guy smiled and started waving madly back at us. Every day after that I would smile big and start waving and there was only one day the person didn't respond at all. My DS even started waving and getting into it and we would cheer when they waved back. It was a game for us. It got our day off to a fun start and maybe we brought a small moment of fun to a person with an otherwise boring job.

I always feel so bad for those workers. That has to be the worst job in disney

 

[golfgal]

The only time I have been to Disneyworld was a one day trip to Epcot. We were staying in a DTD hotel and hopped on a bus to get to Epcot. Well, we hopped on the "wrong" bus and ended up getting a tour of a few resorts. THere were only 4 people on the bus after the resort tour (we were all together in the same group) and the driver asked if we were in a hurry. We weren't so he took us on another tour of a new park they were building, there wasn't much to see yet, but we were some of the first "outsiders" to see AK.

 

[Leota]

I defnately noticed the change in bus drivers. Used to be, they would be full of jokes & trivia etc.... I really liked that. It made the bus ride part of the Disney Experience, not just getting from here to there.... This past trip, most of them barely said Hello. We always make sure to say Hello & Thank You & that was barely responded to.

One year, 2001, I think? We were coming back from DTD & our bus driver was doing Triva & having fun with the guest. This woman yells out "Can't you Shut Up? My daughter is trying to sleep!" The poor bus driver was devestated. I swear, she was almost in tears. I was furious at the woman.
When my son & I got off the bus, we made sure to tell her how much we appreciated the trivia & games. I wonder if stuff like that happened more often & put the driver's off from trying to engage with the guests?

One other bus driver story - This one bus driver had an autograph book & asked us all to sign it & put where we were from. It was so cool. At the end, my son asked him to autograph our book. The driver was so happy to do so.

 

[epcotfan]

The oldest Disney buses are a million times better than the public transit we have here in Toronto. At least Disney maintains relatively clean buses and the drivers are not rude for the most part. I always notice a huge difference when I come back home and have to get on the bus or subway.

Edited to add most Disney bus drivers that I've encountered have been fabulous. However, I don't expect them to be talkative 100 percent of the time. I have no complaints. I think they are doing a good job and the buses are relatively decent. Now the guests that ride the bus...that's another story.

 

[eleanor]

In Apr. I asked driver why there were so few buses and she said that there were lots of buses but fewer drivers. I hope that they fix that.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

When we were there in April we had a few bus drivers that were almost tour guides for WDW. They were very interesting to listen to. One told us about the damage done in certain areas (as we passed by) from the hurricanes. Very interesting.
Then we had one bus driver that was pretty gruff ( one night after Wishes)
The bus was packed with lots standing and he was driving so fast it was scary!
I have a friend and her family that just came back from WDW they were staying at the Wilderness cabins and were on a bus with a group of Girl scouts.
The bus driver seemed to have gotten lost and and kept driving around Fort Wilderness.( for a very long time... ) I guess at some point there was a tournover in bus drivers and the whole bus cheered that he was gone.

 

[Liz]

Not quite the same as bus drivers, but what about the poor people who have to direst those of us who drive into the parks ourselves. We were there in January and they always look so bored. I totally embarrassed my DD, who is 14 so everything I do embarrasses her.lol I put on the biggest smile and waved like crazy at the guy pointing us in the direction to park. All of the sudden the guy smiled and started waving madly back at us. Every day after that I would smile big and start waving and there was only one day the person didn't respond at all. My DS even started waving and getting into it and we would cheer when they waved back. It was a game for us. It got our day off to a fun start and maybe we brought a small moment of fun to a person with an otherwise boring job.

What a fun thing to do!!

 

[cobbler]

One year, 2001, I think? We were coming back from DTD & our bus driver was doing Triva & having fun with the guest. This woman yells out "Can't you Shut Up? My daughter is trying to sleep!" The poor bus driver was devestated. I swear, she was almost in tears. I was furious at the woman.
When my son & I got off the bus, we made sure to tell her how much we appreciated the trivia & games. I wonder if stuff like that happened more often & put the driver's off from trying to engage with the guests?

That is horrible and just rude!!! I may have had a few choice words for that woman.

 

[lsteadman]

I just don't expect to "entertained" at every aspect of my Disney vacation. I was very happy the our bus drivers were friendly, courteous, and drove us safely to our destination. I got home in one piece!

I did have a driver who told jokes and make comments; however, I don't expect that of him. If he was to just drive and get me to my destination in one piece then I am happy.

We shouldn't expect anything else than safe transportation. If drivers "entertain" yes but to complain that they are quite is just asking too much. There are performers in the parks who get paid to do that.

I would hate to have a driver not paying attention to the rode and get in an accident because his so busy entertaining you.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Disney has 3 types of busses in their fleet

1) Gillig Advantage - these are the newest busses in the fleet, and are the ones that are perfectly flat on all sides, have no curves at all (not even the wheel wells)

2) Nova LFS - these have a sloping front windshield, and kind of a strange look to them

3) RTS (and RTS II?) - the oldest busses in the fleet, still running pretty solidly, from all indications.

From talking to drivers (both Disney, and otherwise), the RTS is one of the most dependable, rock-solid transit busses ever produced. A lot of the ones in Disney's fleet date from the late 80's, early 90's, and are still running strong, in some cases up to 20 years later. The Novas have had some reliability problems, and the Gilligs, at least in Disney's fleet, haven't really been around long enough to know how reliable they will be. At this point in time, it seems, at least to me (with no experience driving any of them), that the use of the RTS' is justified.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We shouldn't expect anything else than safe transportation. If drivers "entertain" yes but to complain that they are quite is just asking too much. There are performers in the parks who get paid to do that.

I'm sorry, but I disagree, that is like saying we should only expect the cashiers in the gift shops to give us correct change, but I do expect a "thank you" or "have a nice day" -- and as I said, I DON'T expect the drivers to be entertainers or tour guides, but from past experience, I did have drivers who talked or made occasional comments and barring those little extras if they happens, even though they are not expected or required, I do expect a response when I say "hello" or "good morning" when boarding a non-moving bus. I also said it wasn't a big thing, and it really wasn't, but it was noticeable.

 

[BethC1952]

I would much rather have a silent bus driver who gets me safely to my destination than one telling jokes and asking questions as he (or she) drives into a tree or ditch.

I've never noticed silent bus drivers, but I always smile and say hello, and I always say thank you at the end of the ride. We usually ride the bus at "off-times" since we like to start our day later than most people, and have always had pleasant bus drivers. Maybe during crowded times they like to concentrate on driving rather than entertaining the passengers.

Beth