[Flagrant Scofflaws] Earlier this week, I caught the UTA bus at 255 S. State for a quick trip to the State Capitol (Route #500). While waiting, I watched two other buses get squeezed out of the designated stop because a woman inside an idling mini-van had turned it into her own private loading zone.About three minutes later, a UTA enforcement officer pulled up behind her and politely explained she was illegally parked at a bus stop. The woman complied and pulled away from the curb.
The spot was still warm when yet another driver in a mini-van pulled into the bus zone. It had a big Mary Kay Cosmetics sticker in the back window. She sat there for a minute, idling away.
When the State Capitol bus arrived, I pointed her out to the driver. He asked if I minded waiting for a minute. I said no. He hopped out of the bus, ran up to the woman just as she was jumping out to run into a building for what? A lunch date?
" You can't park here, ma'am," the driver said. "It's a designated bus stop," he said.
The woman looked at him, and--no kidding--said "how much is the ticket?"
Bus driver said: "I don't know, but I know it's expensive."
Woman said: "Well, I've got to be somewhere. I'll take my chances."
Then she was gone. Bus driver called for a tow truck. (Holly Mullen)
