Ceres Magazine Issue 2 - Winter 2016 | Page 64

job, what would it be?

Robert: I would have to say… if they could put urinals inside the buses [laughter]. It is always a problem using the bathroom… also for safety reasons. If we had, maybe, a private toilet inside the bus, it would make it safer not only for the women, but also for the men. We have places where our buses end up, and a lot of time, you’re pretty well by yourself. With limited layovers, the drivers go around in circles, and to stop somewhere is a little bit difficult. There are places where they have signs: “Private,” “No Trespassers,” and they do have police officers going by, once in a while. But, there are also places, like Terminal 28, over in downtown LA—it’s right there on Broadway and 17th—and if you look at that place, at night, it's dark! You basically have to go through the place, and use your keys just to get inside the bathroom. Maybe, they can change that, instead of using keys, you could just use your badge or something you can tap and it'll open up for you; that might be a little bit easier to get into, faster, and safer, especially for the female operators.

Ceres: As a male bus operator, what would you say to new female operators?

Robert: Just smile! Smile at your passengers, be

friendly enough so they don’t want to harm you. You have different types of people that get on your bus, people in a bad mood, people that just are going through something in their life; that smile that comes not only from a male, but especially from a female, just a friendly smile, saying good morning or good afternoon, it helps out a lot.

Ceres: It’s a good piece of advice that applies to everybody.

Robert: It does apply to everybody! I mean, try to change the mood of a person coming inside the bus,

making them feel welcome. It can make a difference. Instead of having them in a bad mood and throwing it at you, they just go with the flow and your positive energy. If you’re a woman and give a smile, and be friendly—but not too friendly so they could think of something else—if you say hello to everybody, and

"Just smile at your passengers....just a friendly smile, saying good morning or good afternoon, it helps out a lot."

."

Photos by Lands of Void

64 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016