April 11, 2008
Q: I just returned home from a horrible experience on the Ikego home-to-work bus. In fact, for the past two weeks, I have noticed the loud inappropriate language of youths who ride the bus. Tonight, they were outright disrespectful of the policy. First, six youths loaded the bus at the commissary bus stop. Prior to the bus arriving, two adults had asked them to tone down the loud talking. Upon loading onto the bus, they resumed loud talking and even began to pass around and eat potato chips. When I asked that they abide by the bus rules by refraining from eating on the bus, they mocked me. The driver walked to the back of the bus to address the issue of eating on the bus. After picking up additional youths at the hospital stop, one of the youths began talking about his peers and their sexual relationships. I do not feel I should have to be subjected to hearing a 15-year-old, or anyone else, discuss illicit sexual issues. I kindly informed him that I found the conversation inappropriate and asked him to tone it down. He responded, “I’ll talk about anything I want to talk about.” For the rest of the ride, I listed to a number of comments mocking me and another gentleman who asked them to kindly tone it down. This issue has got to be addressed. The home-to-work bus is a wonderful resource. My own kids have taken it on occasion. However, after working long hours, people deserve the benefit of riding home with civility. I highly recommend bus monitors be provided for the home-to-work bus. If that is not possible, then I regrettably recommend youths not be allowed to ride the home-to-work bus. I regret the latter recommendation, as many of our well-behaved kids would have to suffer at the hands of a few.

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A: There are numerous issues involved in providing a response to this e-mail. Public Works Department (PWD) operates the bus per requirements, funding and policy provided by Check your attitude: Do the right thing, even when others are not watching By Lucky Hawkins, CFAY Safety Director Thursday morning of last week, I noticed a car illegally parked at the corner of bldg. B39-B right next to the Americable office. Not only was the vehicle causing a significant hazard to other motorists, it was also blocking a fire lane and would impede emergency vehicles. Thinking that the driver of the vehicle may be conducting business inside the Americable office, I entered the office and saw a lady conducting business at the counter. She readily admitted that she was the Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka. Current policy for students is that they can ride on a space available basis from the last stop at either Yokosuka or Ikego. Also, the bus driver is there to safely operate the bus not interpret policy. PWD cannot monitor bus service, and Security is not manned to provide bus monitors. We would consider individuals that would like to volunteer to be bus monitors, if interested please contact the Officerin- Charge of Ikego or Negishi.

Dear "A"-san, What a massive cop out that reply was. Basically, you relieved PWD and the bus drive of all responsibility, told us a little story about how even the CFAY doesn't follow the la-di-da "Check your attitude" policy, reinterated the know policy for students and absolved security of any responsibility by stating a manning shortage for bus monitors. So basically, "Sorry, but no one has resposibility for the young peoples' behavior on the bus except the young people". Ok, so how about installing a security camera on the bus, and then (after editing for content) showing the resultant video on AFRTS? Potential HOURS of education and entertainment! Especially since everyone could then point their fingers and laugh at the PARENTS of the children who have no manners and less decorum!

What a bogus response. Unless I am mistaken Walther Hawkins isn't the base safety officer anymore and when did the CO of CFAY become a woman? That being said, CFAY can do anything it want to. They can say no dependents under 18 on the bus. Report a recial slur of the bus and see how quickly security goes into an orgasmic frenzy investigating. PWD owes the buses, they are reposnsible, read the regulations.
The root of the problem is parents, parents who are most officers and senior enlisted who spend most of their time bloviating about their wonderful leadership abilities.
If CFAY " can't" do anything then it is reasonable to assume one could smack the troublemaker without fear of reprisal.

Im sorry but this was two years ago not recent.

Kinda off topic, but does anyone else notice the bus riders (military), that sit in the seat close to the aisle (leaving window seat empty) so no one else can sit there? It's mainly a problem in the morning. I just think its kind of jacked up, that we as adults play these kids games! It's officers and enlisted. Let's grow up guys!

lol, that's funny. Boyz is boyz. I used to see this on buses in the States, and as soon as a pretty girl stepped aboard, all these single bodies would slide over to the window. So lame! For this home-to-work bus, just pick the skinniest person, say "excuse me" and they'll let you right in.

Its not really passengers job to enforce the buses policy. How much could some noisy potato chip eating kids really bother somebody. I always just try to mind my business.I mean how offended could you possible have been? Teenage boys are rude, not a big deal