The Technology Trip

I was traveling downtown with my friends. We were going to the Museum of Science and Industry, and we decided to take the bus. To figure out which bus we needed to take, I used a computer. If you go on the Internet you can find several maps that show Chicago transportation systems. I found the map showing the route, and it even told me what times the buses were scheduled to arrive. 

My friends and I walked to the bus stop, and just a few minutes later the bus pulled up. It was a particularly rainy day, so we were glad we knew when the bus would come. We just stood outside a few minutes before it appeared. 

We rode along slowly. Traffic was slow, and people were not driving quickly because of the rain. We didn’t really mind, considering we were inside nice and dry. Then it happened—there was a bump. It wasn’t a big bump, but we definitely all felt it. The driver stopped the bus and got out. A few minutes later, she stepped back inside. 

“A car has run into us,” she stated. “There is no noticeable damage to the bus, but we do have a rule that when a car hits you, you need to make an accident report. Another bus will arrive shortly. Don’t worry. Please stay in your seats.” 

So we waited. We anticipated it taking a long time, but in just about five minutes we noticed the other bus. When we got off the bus, we saw the car that had hit us. The driver was looking very sad. A policeman was talking to the driver, and they were both standing outside the car. 

We got on the other bus. One passenger was angry. “I am going to be late for work,” she exclaimed. The new bus driver said we would leave right away as soon as everyone was on the bus. She said, “The driver of the car has to take a taxi to get to his office, but the bus company sent me to assure you get to your destinations.” 

The delay had only taken ten minutes. We arrived at the museum safely. When we got off the bus we asked the driver what time the buses would be coming to take us back—we asked if she had a schedule. 

“Check the computer at the museum,” she said. “You’ll find out what the actual time is for your bus back.”  

The Museum is all about technology, but we had already been learning about technology.