'Freude am Fahren'

This time we report on our experiences with the Canadian bus system and the driving skills of Canadians. 

Overall, we're pretty lucky with our connection to the Victorian bus system. Within a radius of 2km, there are 5 bus stops that go downtown. Of course, a different bus stops at each stop, which makes spontaneous bus rides more difficult. Fortunately, there is Google Maps and the Transit App, which sometimes help us out more, sometimes less. Unfortunately, they don't provide current departure times. If a bus is delayed, we can only guess. Most of the time, we simply hope that we haven't missed the bus because it was 5 minutes early, which happens quite often. That's why we always try to be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The bus system is not as well-planned as we are used to in Germany. There is a schedule, but apparently the boarding and disembarking of passengers was not taken into account in the travel time. Neither was the typical Canadian waiting for passengers to sit down. Fortunately, not every bus driver does that. Otherwise, we would go crazy because we would arrive at work even later. Similarly, the presence of red traffic lights or rush hour traffic was not taken into account. Yes, that's right: Such things exist here at the 'end of the world' too. Most Canadians drive cars - they usually have more than one car (at least 2) - and not buses. Asian students, young people in general, environmentally conscious people, people earning less than $14/hour, and homeless or drug addicts are the main bus passengers.

In addition to the roulette-like schedule, you also have to signal the bus driver that you want to take the bus, otherwise he may not stop and continue driving. Most of the time, I'm just waiting at a bus stop for fun, waiting for my royal carriage or the ice cream man. Just kidding, I stick out my hand as if I want to hail a taxi and most of the time the bus drivers stop. And just like that, I'm on the bus. The bus ride costs $2.50, a day ticket is $5. So a day ticket is always worth it. Even if you have to transfer, theoretically you have to pay again because you don't get an individual ticket. And how should the other bus driver know that you transferred...mmhhh. For the past few weeks, we have bought a monthly pass for $85. These tickets are not sold at a ticket machine or on the bus, but at 7-Eleven or Shoppers Drug Market (a kind of pharmacy plus drugstore).

Once you're on the bus, the next challenge awaits. When do I actually have to get off? The bus stops are not indicated or announced. It is only vaguely mentioned which street we are passing, and even that is not always done and sometimes delayed. Fortunately, we have GPS and our helpful apps. Otherwise, we would have passed the stops several times already because everything looks somewhat similar. Lastly, there is the phenomenon with the 'stop button', which doesn't exist in every bus. Instead, Canadians use the pull-the-stop-cord method. There are yellow cords that run from the front to the back. You can pull them briefly and the red STOP light lights up. In general, the buses are very outdated. About 5 different models drive through the city, from very, very old to fairly new.

In the past few days, it has happened to me several times that either I wasn't let off (I had to shout loudly through the bus so the bus driver would understand that I wanted to get off) or the bus simply didn't stop at the bus stop. But that's normal for Canadians and they don't make a big fuss about it. I'm the one getting annoyed and wondering how someone can be so incapable of driving a bus. That's why I'm very grateful for the good work of bus drivers in Germany, even if they are often a bit grumpy. At the end of the ride, most Canadians thank the bus driver when they get off. I only do that if the bus driver drove well. In other words, not like a madman towards the red traffic light or the nearest bus stop. Because many of them then accelerate to over 50 km/h just to brake hard, making it almost impossible to hold on tightly or almost making me throw up the food I had in the last few hours. Fun times on a bus ride in Canada. 

Now on to the next fun part. Driving or rather the driving abilities of Canadians...ahem. Canadians even admit that their compatriots are the worst drivers in the world and we can only agree. I have never felt so uncomfortable as a pedestrian crossing a street. Right from the beginning of our time in Canada, we were warned about the driving skills of Canadians. We were also advised to exercise caution when crossing a green traffic light. Because Canadians like to use their phones and sometimes drive through a red light. No problem. As a pedestrian, you should always look left and right, even if you have the green light and are allowed to go. I was almost hit by a bus once, which also had the green light, but turned left. Well, it simply didn't give me the right of way. Fortunately, I always make sure if someone is still driving. 

The next problem is that the drivers seem to not really know the traffic rules. For example, there is the rule that at an intersection where four stop signs exist, the first one to stop can go first. However, we once got a finger because we were the first to go because we were the first ones there...mmhhh, you can only do everything wrong. In addition, some Canadian drivers are too nice to each other. Both want the other one to go and neither of them decides to go until 5 minutes have passed and a huge traffic jam has formed behind them. I know, I'm exaggerating a bit, but that's how it really is. 

The next senseless rule that exists in Canada, but not in Montreal: The legal right turn on red light. Everyone does it and the least pay attention to whether a pedestrian is using the crossing or if a car is coming. Often, they just drive and disregard the right of way for other drivers, without any regard for the consequences. That's why so many cars here are banged up. Some of the cars even have quite big signs of collision, which would no longer be allowed on the roads in Germany. But it doesn't bother anyone here. They just use some good old duct tape and stick everything back together. As long as it holds, it's roadworthy. There's no equivalent of a TÜV here. Tires without tread or barely functioning brakes: No problem. As long as the engine starts, everything is fine. 

Now onto something good. Because there are also a lot of vintage cars in the backyards of old farms or next to garages in the city center. That delights us as vintage car lovers, of course. That's why we like to roam the streets, hoping to discover another good old car.