Question: I live in Waianae Valley, at the very end. This is an isolated area and because I'm disabled and don't drive, I depend heavily on TheBus. At 4:30 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., TheBus is supposed to show up. Both times (same driver) over the Labor Day weekend, the bus was a half-hour late. The same happened at 8:20 p.m., leaving my friend stranded at the bus stop after dark in Waianae. The driver just sneered at me when I said something to him. I guess he knows it was a long holiday weekend and TheBus's customer service phones and offices are closed weekends and holidays. There's no recourse! I guess this driver figured we'd all forget about him. Well, not me. Can't there be at least some hotline to call during off-hours and off days? Please help us here.

Answer: Oahu Transit Services officials apologized for the delay in service that weekend.

They investigated your complaint and checked the routes' “;schedule adherence”; and determined that the bus in question was late on two trips, including one that was 23 minutes late.

However, Oahu Transit spokeswoman Michelle Kennedy said the assigned bus “;was able to recover back on schedule in the next two trips,”; adding, “;We suspect that the lateness was largely due to increased congestion along Farrington Highway.”;

Unfortunately, she said, buses are subject to the same traffic congestion and road conditions that all drivers face during major holiday weekends.

As for the driver's conduct, “;Bus operators are human,”; Kennedy said. “;Battling traffic, being behind schedule and perhaps multiple reminders of being late, may have caused a lapse in professionalism.”;

She said the driver would be reminded “;to remain courteous and professional at all times.”;

Meanwhile, although the customer service department is open only weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on holidays, the phone line - 848-4500 - has an answering machine available any time.

“;A customer service representative will follow up with you the next business day if you leave your name and call-back number,”; Kennedy said.

If you are unable to leave a message at that number for some reason, you can also call TheBus's Information Hotline at 848-5555. Your call will then be forwarded to another answering machine.

Another way to register a complaint or concern is to go to the Web site http://www.thebus.org, click on the customer comments button, and fill out the online comment form.

“;We appreciate having the public make us aware of complaints, suggestions and commendations,”; Kennedy said. That's one way of improving service, she said.

Q: Where can I report a huge city truck that was driving erratically westbound on H-1 freeway recently? The truck was speeding, tailgating me, then passing me and weaving out of control, forcing at least one car out of its lane and nearly causing a bad accident.

A: The advice is to call 911 “;if it is erratic driving in progress.”;

Otherwise, after the fact, call the Complaint Branch of the city Department of Customer Services at 523-4381, said city spokesman Bill Brennan.