X83

The X83 connects Dahlem on the western border of Berlin with Lichtenrade in the southern of Berlin. It intersects three Sbahn train lines, which branch out from the inner city like spokes on a bike wheel.

The X83 stops at Simpsonweg and Schichauweg, which are both about the same distance from my apartment. Actually, Simpsonweg is a little closer, but the bus arrives at Schichauweg one minute later than Simpsonweg, so when I'm late, I end up running with the bus to the Schichauweg stop. Jordan and I almost always have to run to the bus at the Schichauweg stop on Sunday mornings because the bus comes a little earlier because there is no traffic on Sunday mornings.

In addition to stopping at the different connections to the Sbahn, the X83 takes us directly to the stop where our ward meets for church in only 18 minutes. I can also use the X83 to get to my Monday and Wednesday classes in Dahlem.

In 2010, the Berliner Travel Organization, the BVG, decided to have double-decker buses run the X83 line.

Before the change, the line was run with jointed buses with two parts. The front part had two doors; a wheelchair and stroller entrance, and a regular customer entrance. The rear part was composed of normal seats facing forward, until the rear door. After the door, the seats were arranged along the windows in a raised platform over the engine and rear axle. The rowdy kids sat here with their dogs. This place was also the most susceptible to graffiti. The jointed buses were almost always full, and I ended up riding standing up in the joint area of the bus, which was usually empty because it was noisier or bumpier than the rest of the areas in the bus.

Unfortunately, the joint bus suffered from one major problem: Crowding. Passengers are supposed to enter the bus in the front door of the bus. After they enter, they mosey toward the back of the bus, looking for empty seats. If they don't see any seats in the back of the bus, they stop and camp out at the wheelchair and stroller section. When more people get in, standing passengers who have filled the wheelchair and stroller section block the new passengers from moving to the back of the bus. Eventually, the hooligans in the back of the bus with their dogs get done with their graffiti, and leave the bus. And before anyone notices, the back of the bus is completely empty, with everyone crowded in the first third of the bus.

Double decker buses have reduced this problem with the addition of the stairs to the top level at the front and back of the bus. Passengers who are only riding for a few stops can ride in the bottom, while those riding for longer distances climb to the top level.

The ride to the University is relatively interesting. There's the old bunker that has been turned into a youth center, the German church, the Lankwitz city hall and market, as well as an alterations shop run by a man named "Mustafa".

As I was riding home today from class, I realized how different the view is from a double-decker bus. Behind the parked cars and fences that line the street, there are even more interesting things. Like the old ice skating rink, or the 'ward park' behind the church. It's a nice ride. I sit up in the second deck, reading my latest novel, "Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo", and look out at the houses flying by, wondering how many families are as dysfunctional as the one I am reading about, and hoping that some of the parents are doing a good job.


Of course, on Sunday mornings, a normal bus takes us to church at 8:32, with older ladies who are hoping to get a jump start on their grocery shopping for the day, as well as plastered party-goers who are looking forward to getting home.