Mystery cat takes regular bus to the shops

Daily Mail ^ | 9 April 2007 | Unknown

[Spktyr]

Mystery cat takes regular bus to the shops

Last updated at 17:08pm on 9th April 2007

Bus drivers have nicknamed a white cat Macavity after it has started using the No 331 several mornings a week.

The feline, which has a purple collar, gets onto the busy Walsall to Wolverhampton bus at the same stop most mornings - he then jumps off at the next stop 400m down the road, near a fish and chip shop.

The cat was nicknamed Macavity after the mystery cat in T.S Elliot's poem. He gets on the bus in front of a row of 1950s semi-detached houses and jumps off at a row of shops down the road which include a fish and chip shop.

Driver Bill Khunkhun, 49, who first saw the cat jumping from the bus in January, said: "It is really odd, the first time I saw the cat jumping off the bus with a group of passengers. I hadn't seen it get on which was a bit confusing.

"The next day I pulled up on Churchill Road to let a couple of passengers on. As soon as I opened the doors the cat ran towards the bus, jumped on and ran under one of the seats, I don't think any of the passengers noticed.

"Because I had seen it jump off the day before I carried on driving and sure enough when I stopped just down the road he jumped off - I don't know why he would catch the bus but he seems to like it. I told some of the other drivers on this route and they have seen him too."

Since January, when the cat first caught the bus he has done it two or three times a week and always gets on and off at the same stops.

Passenger, Paul Brennan, 19, who catches the 331 to work, said: "I first noticed the cat a few weeks ago. At first I thought it had been accompanied by its owner but after the first stop it became quite clear he was on his own.

"He sat at the front of the bus, waited patiently for the next stop and then got off. It was was quite strange at first but now it just seems normal. I suppose he is the perfect passenger really - he sits quietly, minds his own business and then gets off."

[Spktyr]

Cats are *not* stupid. :)

[Spktyr]

Meow ping!

[Red Badger]

...400m down the road, near a fish and chip shop.

Wel, there ya go..........

[Spktyr]

Ooops, I goofed - this belongs in General/Chat. Sorry.

[GOP Poet]

ping! :-)

[Slings and Arrows]

I wonder how he pays for the fish-and-chips?

[Kimmers]

What a great story and cute kitty !!!!!

Thank you for posting this. It is nice to read something that brings a smile to the day....

[Old Professer]

I wonder what he owes in unpaid fares?

[Charlespg]

he then jumps off at the next stop 400m down the road, near a fish and chip shop.

yes but can he drive ?

[bigfootbob]

they don’t seem to swim very well

[EmilyGeiger]

Beautiful cat. Thanks for the post.

[Red Badger]

I wonder how he pays for the fish-and-chips?....How does he have exact change for the bus fare?........

[angcat]

He is stunning.

[353FMG]

Don’t worry about unpaid fares. The taxpayer will pick up the tab.

[Red Badger]

Au contraire! Cats do swim well........I know........

[Thrownatbirth]

he sits quietly, minds his own business and then gets off.

Good. He's not one of those losers who try to read the paper over your shoulder.

[mewzilla]

Gorgeous kitty. Looks well taken care of. She must get comped at the fish and chips shop.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

A new kid’s story, Puss in Bus.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

bump

[KarlInOhio]

Hitching a ride to avoid a 400 m (quarter mile) walk to the fish and chip stop. This is what the cat will look like in a couple years: