You have to listen to the gossip. No, really. The bus stop is a tiny, sweaty soap opera.
That lady with the reusable grocery bag? She knows. She heard it from the driver’s cousin’s roommate.
Or you can look for the signs. Not the road signs. The vibe signs.
If a crowd of people is standing around looking at their phones with a collective “Ugh,” that bus is probably on strike.
If you see someone actually crying into their iced latte? Definitely a strike. Possibly a breakup, but statistically, it’s the 5:07 express.
The Classic “Ghost Bus” Scenario
Let’s talk about the worst kind of strike. The unofficial one.
The transit authority says, “All service is running normally, folks!” They even tweet a smiley face.
Bus strikes begin in south and west London - BBC News
Meanwhile, your specific bus route has turned into a ghost. It’s a legend. A myth. My grandfather saw it once, in the rain.
That’s a wildcat strike. The drivers are saying, “Nope, not today,” without saying a word to anyone in charge.
