As I sat on the bus Monday morning, engulfed in my sleepy haze, I was jarred awake by the ringing of a cellular phone. I wasn’t surprised to hear it, just a little annoyed to have my last few moments of relaxation before my French test interrupted.

What happened next shocked and infuriated me. The ringing phone belonged to the bus driver. He answered it and proceeded to have a conversation lasting several minutes.

It disturbs and upsets me that Capital Area Transportation Authority drivers, who are responsible for the transportation and safety of large numbers of people every day, would be so careless as to take phone calls while driving.

I ride the bus at least once every day. I have encountered a CATA bus driver receiving phone calls while driving three times this semester. I highly resent having my life endangered by such blatant irresponsibility. And now CATA is going to double the amount I have to pay for this endangerment?

Don’t get me wrong. I am incredibly grateful for the CATA system. It gives me a way to get to class without freezing, which any MSU student will agree is a good thing. Drivers do take precautions, like stopping at railroad tracks, in the interest of passenger safety.

However, I think drivers should be forbidden to carry on telephone conversations while driving. If there is going to be a price increase, I expect a subsequent increase in attention to the safety of the many CATA passengers.

Heidi Jury
journalism and
French sophomore