SMART Bus

 SMART BUS

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 and I was out and about getting something to eat at McDonald's, using the rest of a gift card that had been given to me. 

After eating, I walked back over to the bus stop at Great Lakes Crossing to catch the 462 Fast bus over to the Meijer on Brown Road in Auburn Hills, MI to do the shopping that needed to be done.

As far as I can remember, everything was going smoothly that afternoon into the evening.

Got to Meijer.

While there, I thought I had hit the jackpot.

I found some shoes that fit these feet.  On top of that, I could afford them.  That was impressive to me.

After going through check out,  I checked to see when the next bus would be restarting the 462 Fast route to Detroit.  I had about twenty minutes according to the Transit app.

Yes, the weather was cold and a bit windy.

I was dressed warm enough.

I decided to head out to the bus stop.  The bus stop where the 462 Fast route restarts is on Brown Road in front of the Meijer gas station.

The bus drivers generally take their breaks at Meijer.  The bus usually gets parked just off of Brown Road in the end lot before Panda Express after the Meijer gas station.

Anyone walking to the bus stop can't miss seeing the bus parked there.

Waiting at the bus stop, I see the bus pull up to the stop light to pull out onto Brown Road....this IS NOT the light that allows the bus to pull up and start the 462 Fast route south to Detroit in front of the gas station...  This is the light after the bus stop.

That realization hits.  I start waving like a mad woman trying to get the driver's attention.  THAT DIDN'T WORK.  I watched the bus pull out onto Brown Road...go to the intersection of Brown Road and Joslyn Ave...and turn right.

At that point, it was approaching 7:00 pm, the temperatures were dropping, I was looking forward to getting back to the apartment at, what to me is, a decent time.  

I was thinking this can't be happening again.  Yes, I said, AGAIN!  

When you miss the bus OR the bus misses you...you have, at least, another 45 minute wait.  Then if that driver hasn't taken a break you've got probably an hour to wait for the next bus.

Not fun.  Then add things getting colder.  My brain was a whirl.

I called SMART.

The first dispatcher I spoke with tried to get a hold of the driver so they could come back and pick me up.  The driver wasn't responding.  I voiced my thoughts...why is the driver going to come back for one passenger and make every other pick up late...most likely for the rest of the night.

Some how...I don't know if it was me or the dispatcher...we got disconnected.

I called right back.  I was speaking with another dispatcher who was working on a solution.

After about 25 minutes on the phone with dispatch and another 15 minutes waiting, the next bus arrived.

The second dispatcher, also, assured me that within three (3) - five (5) business days someone from management would call me back regarding my complaint.

Yes, that was Tuesday, December 30, 2025 and it's now Thursday, January 15, 2026.  Without Thursday, January 1, 2026, that's eleven (11) business days....NO call yet!

SMART IS THAT HOW YOU TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS!  I'm waiting to hear from you.