International Worker’s Day today, so of course there were three separate marches in DTLA. The building management company sent out an e-mail this morning detailing all the street closures and all the precautions they were taking to keep our workspace safe. They mentioned that LAPD had suggested downtown workers work from home or at alternative* work sites. It was the first e-mail I read this morning as I sat down in my desk chair looking south at the Biltmore Hotel.
The bus company re-routed the Eastbound Commuter Express buses after 10AM. We were picked up at 3rd and Fig instead of 5th and Fig, so I got some extra steps in this afternoon.
The bus company handler at the makeshift bus stop shouted out line numbers in case all the professional people working in the financial district who found their way to the alternative bus stop all by themselves forgot how to read the numbers on the approaching coaches, and made sure the coach drivers knew the detour route.
We got a trainee driver, with a trainer standing behind her. They both assured the field dispatcher they knew the detour route. The only part of it I heard came from the trainer, “Turn right on Commercial.” Something about that didn’t sound right, but who am I to sow doubt on a Trainee, so I remained silent.
We turned right and entered I-101 N at the 3rd Street ramp. Trainer said calmly, “Get over two lanes left.”
Now, if you’ve driven this route, you know that’s not the best lane choice if you intend to travel east on I10 from I110 north of 3rd Street, but who am I to question the bus company’s routing software, so I remained silent.
Sure enough, we missed EB10, but at the last second we also managed to avoid 101N, so it’s not all bad and getting worse.
110 north of 101 – the Arroyo Parkway – has narrow lanes. Trucks are not allowed. Full size commuter coaches must be frowned on as well, based on the evasive tactics taken by all those Camaros and Camrys and Civics. We never saw a Commercial St. exit. I noticed Trainer on her cell phone asking for routing instructions. We made it almost to Mt. Washington (good thing the Dodgers are up at AT&T Park losing on Posey’s 9th inning walk-off, or the traffic would have been much worse) before one of the passengers somewhere behind me loudly asked, “Where are we going?”
Trainer turned around and calmly but sternly announced, “We’re taking a detour.”
Voice Behind Me: “You’re lost, aren’t you?”
Trainer, “Sorry for the delay.”
VBM: “[more of the same complaints.]”
I thought about telling him to pipe down, but his complaints never turned racist or misogynistic, and besides I thought “Are we taking 210?” was kind of funny, so I kept quiet.
Eventually, we got off the Parkway, pulled over, swapped Trainer for Trainee, and did a Supertramp**.
Skipped the Union Station, County General, and Cal State LA stops, and rejoined the busway in Alhambra.
Fortunately traffic was light. Maybe other downtown workers received notices from their building management companies early enough to explore alternative work locations.
When we reached the Park ‘n’ Ride earlier than normal, Trainer/Driver thanked us for our “patience.”
We could have kept quiet, but all 10 of us said, “Thank you.”
Overall a good commute, but I missed my nap.
*I think they meant to write “alternate work sites.” “Alternative work sites” suggests to me mountain streams, golf courses, sandy beaches, sage smoke and lavender oil diffusers.
**Took the Long Way Home.
The Billy Pulpit 