Time for change on the buses

The bus has never exactly been my favourite method of transport, but as a car-less and penniless second year living off campus, I must forfeit the luxury of choice.

Unfortunately for me, the Coventry bus system is so patently flawed that I could run a biweekly mini series simply lamenting the state of the dastardly 12. We could discuss the tease of a bus timetable that sweetly whispers we’ll only be shivering at the bus stop for two more minutes, before later deciding that said two minutes must be multiplied by nine when referring to Coventry buses. Or the screaming clan of ‘Lads’ slurring rhymes about being ‘shit and knowing you are’, accompanied by retching, projectile vomit and a few ‘eff off’s’ from a peeved passenger.

But these minor inconveniences dwarf the all time bane of every commuting student’s existence. One thing that will continually infuriate anyone boarding the bus with a £2 coin. Change. Or, should I say, the distinct lack thereof.

As an easily-riled individual, I opted for the stress free ‘termly bus pass’. But, like most good things in life, it was over before it had begun, and I was soon back to reluctantly losing 30p when I couldn’t be bothered to break a £2 coin.

“Well, why don’t you just bring the exact change then?” some smug bus pass-owning simpleton is probably quipping. Well, why should we? Are we really asking that much? Heaven forbid I give money and expect back the change I am rightfully owed. The process may seem easy enough, but there are some real technicalities that go into copper counting that just can’t be handled at 8 am.

In the age of television sets, portable telephones and Internet, is asking for a few pence back really as complex as National Express would have us think? In London, the bus drivers are well aware that we’re all far too busy to bother boarding a bus with the exact fare.

Does Coventry not know that we students don’t have time to make change ourselves? We have essays to avoid writing, drinks to down, Family Guy to illegally watch. We can’t afford to lose 30 or more pence which could aid in funding a much-needed Emerge drink. I say we bring back the tents and Occupy Warwick. Slash the number 12 tyres. Rally outside Pool Meadow bus station with threatening signs and the odd pitchfork. Well, that is, until I get my bus pass renewed.