That Mack

@thatmc.bsky.social

1687 Followers 693 Following

Mack. Yes, That Mack

A sliver cream and orange PCC streetcar rolls beneath downtown high rise buildings. The streetcar has text on the side reading “Boston Elevated Railway”
A bald head with a long zigzag scar, seen from above.
Silver Cream and Orange Streetcar
Silver Cream and Orange Streetcar
A red and white mug full of coffee with the Muni logo next to a black baseball hat that also has the Muni logo.
Photo of the steering wheel of a transit bus.
A Muni Customer Service form with text that reads in part "Very few municipal employees I have encountered behave like this. What an extraordinary human being! About a month ago I took the 44 O'Shaughnessy from 9th Avenue and Lawton St. to Geary Boulevard and back again, and this same man was the driver in both directions. I remember that he also called out the names of the streets at bus stops and sometimes indicated what significant destinations were to be found nearby (e.g. "deYoung Museum," «the Academy of Sciences," "the Japanese Tea Garden," were some places he mentioned at the bus stop in front of the de Young Museum). When I alighted then at 9th Avenue and Lawton Street, I complimented him on his behavior, but I think I need to tell Muni about him too. This man obviously enjoys his job, and he pays close attention to driving and the road, but he goes out of his way to make personal contact with his passengers. When he speaks, there is a warm, up-beat tone to his voice, and as a passenger it makes me smile and reassures me that I am in a safe environment. It also reminds me that I like taking public transportation and encourages in me a feeling of pride to be living in San Francisco. In my opinion, this driver's demeanor goes beyond mere courtesy. He wears his humanity on his sleeve, and he reaches out to his passengers to offer a little moment of light to what would otherwise be an impersonal and perfunctory exchange. Listening to him make announcements on the bus and then hearing his kind remarks to others and to me personally —made my day. In fact, I find myself wondering if he is religious, because he demonstrates a humble, plain love for his fellow man. In other words, if bus driving can be elevated to a form of art, this guy has done it. For me, taking a ride on his bus was an emotionally touching experience, and it made me simply glad to be alive—-however improbable or absurd that may sound."
An old Braun Coffeemaker brewing beside a Muni mug on a countertop.