I've ridden on quite a few different public and private transit systems in the American continents and I must say, we have it pretty good here in Merritt.

I am standing in a city bus travelling through the Venezuelan town of San Cristobal one day, a daily routine when I lived there, and the small bus is packed as usual.

Imagine putting Merritt's community bus in the City of Vancouver and packing it to capacity, standing room and all.

The exhaust system is leaking, so the bus is reeking of noxious fumes, the passengers are squished together like sardines in a tin can, and to make matters worse, the bus is stopping, what felt like every 10 seconds. Also consider that it's a tropical country, so the 30 degree temperature only amplifies the discomfort.

Needless to say, the toxic fumes were probably the worst part of the whole thing for me but things could have been a lot better had people not been hollering at the bus driver to stop directly in front of their destinations.

There are no designated bus stops in Venezuela, so passengers simply yell out “the stop,” and the driver pulls over.

People don't request to get dropped of near their homes, they request to get dropped off directly in front.

Not only does the bus stop to drop off passengers, it stops to pick up passengers, and you can be picked up anywhere you please.

There is absolutely no concept of order or efficiency.

The bus could stop five or six times in one block, sometimes more.

It makes me chuckle when I hear folks in Merritt complain that the bus won't pick them up when they are at a designated stop.

I appreciate that things are more laid back in this town and it wouldn't take much for a bus driver to pull over for someone who weren't at an official stop, but it is good to have order and follow transit designations.

Unscheduled stops slow the bus down, potentially delaying scheduled arrival times, and just make the ride uncomfortable for everybody, driver included.

The one transit complaint I would make, would be about the North American regional bus services.

It's hard to believe, but third world countries like Venezuela, Panama, and Colombia, have a far better system with more comfortable buses.

The Flamingo bus line in Venezuela, for example, is a double-decker luxury Volvo cruiser. The passenger seats recline to a sleeping position and there is more leg room than a Lincoln Continental.

The movie system is always working and you can watch multiple movies during a trip.

To rub salt in the wound, the fares are far cheaper than they are here, probably because of the high ridership.

More Merrittonians should try out the public transit here. It's relaxing and comfortable.

Once ridership increases, you will likely see higher bus frequency and even weekend service.

I try to take the bus here at least one day a week, the day I don't require my car while at work (publication day).

Not only is it better for the environment, my transit fare is not going back into the community instead of into the bank accounts of oil barons.

-- John O'Connor