Name: Lori Neumeyer

Age: 22

Major: Art Illustration and French Business and Translation

Occupation: Bus driver

Years with Huskie Line: One

What does your job entail?

Basically, driving a bus on my assigned route, picking up and dropping of passengers, and doing it safely. Sidework? Not usually. All drivers begin their shift at the Holmes Student Center. The Huskie Line also has a charter (bus line), but I’m a street driver, not a charter driver.

What do you like best about your job?

I like meeting the people. You see and meet a lot of interesting people. I like working with the other drivers; they’re all really nice. It’s just different and kind of neat. It’s interesting to be a bus driver and that more women don’t try to get into it. It’s really not hard work at all.

What do you like least about your job?

There are a lot of “idiots” sometimes—people who drive don’t notice your bus, so they go around you without checking. Or they just pull in front of you because they figure they’re faster than you. People assume you’ll stop anywhere, or they’re just not courteous. For instance, when I pull up to DuSable when classes are letting out, people walk in front of the bus. I think that’s a big annoyance for all drivers. Actually, it’s dangerous.

Also, I don’t think people should blame or get mad at the drivers if something happens. On Jan. 25 there was one girl from the apartments who was irate and quite upset because the bus line shut down due to weather. People shouldn’t blame the driver because of the weather or if we’re not on time. Everyone should try to be courteous. We have laws we have to obey.

Do you have a favorite on-the-job anecdote?

I think the most embarassing thing happened one morning to one of my buses. I pulled up to University Circle, in front of Gabel, and the bus died; I thought I’d done something. It turned out the bus had to be towed, and it wasn’t my fault. It was embarassing that the bus had to be towed. The people (riders) had to walk from there, and I waited for them to bring me a spare bus.

Why did you choose this job?

I needed the money, and I thought it would be something different and fun to do. I thought I’d try it. I don’t want to work in a fast-food place.

How does your job benefit NIU students?

I don’t know, other than transporting them around. It gives you something to do (a way to get around) if you don’t have a car.