A Pittsburgh area commuter bus suffered a severe breakdown during it's morning run yesterday, leaving 75 passengers stranded during rush hour. The 8:41 Forbes Street left on schedule, but about 5 minutes into it's run, the bus suddenly shuddered, shook and came to a quick halt, trembling uncontrollably. The vehicle was quickly moved off the roadway, and startled passengers disembarked. Moments later, the bus violently convulsed and began sobbing.
Astonished Uniontown terminal personnel acted as quickly as possible to bring control to the situation. A replacement bus, a tow, 2 automotive psychologists and several grief counselors were sent to the scene. Many, if not all, of the passengers were visibly shaken. "I don't know what to think... I have to take some time. I need to talk to my husband and family. They're my support at times like this. I don't know if I can even make them understand, but I have to try. Right now, I'm leaking like a sieve and I can't stop", said Mrs. Aldena Wolfe. Jerrold Morst echoed her response: "You know, you ride a bus day after day, year after year without ever considering that something like this is possible. You think you know a bus. And now... I mean, just listen to it".
Others chose not, or simply could not comment on the bizarre event. And even though a replacement bus was made available to passengers, few took advantage. Most stayed at the scene, sharing their thoughts and feelings with one another.
Uniontown representative Jason Birird said only that the management would require some time to review and assess the incident, adding that they were very pleased that their customers suffered no injuries and that all passengers involved would receive a month's worth of tokens courtesy of the city of Pittsburgh.
Both automotive psychologists, Drs. Allen Alan and P.Thomas Rand, with a combined 45 years experience in the field stated that they had never seen a public transportation vehicle suffer such a complete and total breakdown.
Dr. Rand shared, "This particular patient...to us they are patients...has apparently been dealing with severe depression issues, along with low-power complaints due to a loose throttle linkage along with excessive lubrication due to leaking gaskets." Dr. Alan continued: "Unfortunately, this bus is almost 16 years old. It's going to take a fair amount of intensive therapy and a complete engine overhaul before it will see the road again".
It is most likely that both will recommend that Uniontown seriously consider full vehicular retirement. It is possible, said Dr. Alan, that at some point in it's future, the "8:41" might find satisfaction in occasionally transporting groups of young children to area zoos and birthday functions.
