Living on Stakkevollveien, one of the busiest and dirtiest streets in Tromsø, affords one many unique opportunities, like hearing the beeping of trucks backing up, getting splashed by cars driving through puddles, and attempting impossible phone conversations while walking. However, the greatest pleasure of living on Stakkevollveien is taking bus number 32.
Bus 32 is sort of the forgotten stepchild of Tromsbuss, the bus company that not surprisingly drives buses in Tromsø. Other buses like number 20 and 42 are top of the line, newly outfitted with electronic signs that say what stop is next and stop buttons on every hand rail to easily alert the driver when you need to get off. Bus 32 on the other hand is like traveling in a cable car in the early 1900's. There are no stop buttons, only a wire along the roof that you have to pull to stop the bus, like trying to stop a locomotive.
The drivers of bus 32 are always the "newbies" who have no experience driving and who always seem to be in training. Also, everyone on bus 32 is mad. I'm not sure if it's because they live on Stakkevollveien or that they are all dreaming of a different bus with better hydraulics, but everyone scowls when you walk on, well, scowls even more than the usual Norwegian bus passengers. When I say everyone though, you have to put that in context because the other unique feature of bus 32 is that no one is ever on it! There are usually 2 or 3 people hiding in the corner behind the dusty and mud-covered windows that at least block out the view of Stakkevollveien.
It is especially surprising that no one is on the bus because it only travels once an hour, during the busy times! And of course, bus 32 is always late, except that one time when I was late. That time it was early.
So, it's a love/hate relationship with bus 32, but mostly hate. However, I must admit that my body's clock is now set to the bus 32's 10.14am departure from Kræmer. I mean, if you miss it, you're stuck at home for another hour!
Labels: bus
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-MJ