From Australia: Pregnant Lady on A Bus (video via YouTube)

From NYC: "Beauty on the Bus" [ a Top Ten Bus Stories nominee] by Susan Heath for The New York Times

Dear Diary:

A few mornings ago, our 86-year-old neighbor, elegantly dressed and perfectly made up as usual, knocked on our apartment door. “This is for your wedding anniversary,” Ruth said, and gave me one of her wonderful light-up-the-day smiles, an enchanting orchid plant and a big kiss. (My partner and I got married a year ago after 23 years of living together, and that day Ruth gave us a bamboo plant in an elephant pot, signifying long-lasting happiness.)

We chatted for a minute and then, her bright blue eyes twinkling, she said: “May I tell you something? I’m just a bit embarrassed about this, but I have to tell someone.”

It had happened that weekend. Ruth was on the M104, going up Broadway, sitting in one of those front seats they keep for old people. (Read more here.)

From NYC: "Bus Story: The Man in Black," by Minnette Coleman via Speak Without Interruption

He was dressed in black from head to toe. Even his back pack and the duffle bag he carried were all without color. Tall but bent over slightly, you could tell age was creeping up on him quickly and he reserved his energy for things other than running for the bus. He walked and the driver waited perhaps out of respect. I’d like to think it was because of the hat. (Read more here.)

From Minneapolis-St. Paul: "Bussing – The Other Way of Getting to Where You Want to Be," by Mary Treacy

“With a smile and a profile!” – That’s how my bus driver greeted passengers at the start of his mid-day shift. Our ebullient leader assured us that his goal on the trip was “to extinguish the problem before the problem exists.’  Shoppers loaded with Target totes, moms with toddlers, students headed for class, even the suits on board relaxed just a bit. We were in good hands. (Read more here.)

From Seattle: "Woman says son's stinky diaper got them kicked off Metro bus," by Jamie Lynn for KOMO News

A local mother claims a dispute over a stinky diaper got her kicked off of a Metro bus. (Read more here.)

From the UK via Chicago’s Third Coast International Audio Festival: "The Red, White and Blue Bus," by Luke Eldridge (audio)

The Red, White and Blue Bus

From NYC: "Response to a Cranky Bus Passenger," by David Schaum for The New York Times

Dear Diary:

On a sunny weekday afternoon, I found myself on an uptown-bound M104. It was filled to the brim with the usual suspects for that time of day — seniors, nannies and freelancers.

Around 72nd Street, a grandmother with grandson in hand boarded our vehicle. As he seemed intimidated by the crowd, she softly encouraged the little boy to walk to the back of the bus, offering sweet words in Russian. Together, they spotted an open seat next to a graying, sour-looking woman wearing a long pink dress accessorized with an array of plastic costume jewelry. (Read more here.)