March 18

New York City is empty.  Covid-19 cases are soaring; however, I have a job to do today.  The Department of Transportation had scheduled today as my twice-a-year inspection.  I have to put my best pedal forward and accelerate to the occasion.  The journey to the Newark, New Jersey inspection site is effortless today.  The rush hour, bumper-to-bumper traffic and exasperatingly slow pace are not my challenge this morning.  I am definitely not in the mood to have my mechanical parts fondled but committed to staying fit and ready for passengers when we get through this Covid-19 mess.  I must pass this detailed inspection and get back to the Red Hook Terminal in a state of preparedness!  It is easy to just bust a gasket or hose under such stressful circumstances but I am The Ride and we are The Ride team!  #revolutioningsightseeing  Everyone here is disciplined and continues to master his/her tasks from home with creativity and humor.  Staying safe and not spreading the virus is key to “flatten the curve.”  On the road I am listening to more bad news from our tour/travel industry.  Hotel rooms booked are down 79.8% year-over-year with only a 16.8% occupancy.  These partners will not be able to hold out I intuit and many will close.  Okay – here I am at the garage and the inspector is walking in my direction and about to give me a checklist once over.

Yikes – his hands are cold and where are his mask and gloves!?!

. . . . . . . . . . . . .  Finished.  He is reviewing his checklist with a blank expression.   Please – I need to pass this inspection!  He is looking up from his page at my technician, Shannon and me!

THUMBS UP!!!!!    PASSED DOT!!!!

On to the next battle!