Monthly Archives: February 2011

Alert “06880” reader Terry Brannigan has an interesting view of morning traffic:  He lives on North Avenue, sandwiched between Staples and Bedford.

Yesterday morning — with driving conditions difficult — he watched in amazement as a “parade of cars” delivered students to school, one by one.

“What do you suppose the reason is?” he wondered.  “Did they miss the bus?  Is it a privilege?  I just don’t get it.”

Terry is not the first Westporter to see something wrong with nearly empty school buses sharing the road with almost empty cars.  “06880” has been down this road before.

Parents cite compelling reasons why they must chauffeur their child to school.

• “It’s the only time I have to talk with him.”
• “It’s on my way to the station.”
• “She’d have to get up earlier to make the bus.”

All true, I’m sure.  But multiply each reason by each car, and it’s a recipe for congestion.  (Which means getting up earlier.  And taking more time to get to the station.  And — be honest — what kind of chat can you have when your kid is listening to an iPod and texting?)

After noting that Al Gore would be “appalled at the ecological cost of cars idling in a line that must stretch for 2 miles,” Terry added:

It strikes me as so odd.  My wife and I believe making the bus every morning is a badge of honor.

For 3 years we have had Sal for the bus to Long Lots.  You can set your watch by him, and he is equal parts safe driver, teacher, referee and uncle.

We love him, and enjoy seeing him every morning.  He smiles and shrugs his shoulders at the line of traffic he endures along North Ave that impacts his schedule, but he doesn’t complain.  (I hope he doesn’t take it personally!)

The boys and I were out there again this morning, standing our post.  We turned down 2 rides to school — it was a matter of pride.  I may be developing the next generation of Irish martyr.

But seriously, it seems like on a day like today, the number of valets increases when we should try to keep the roads as clear as possible.

Or any day.

Maybe these would be cooler than yellow school buses?