The Hero, often an Unlucky Everydude, is relying on the bus/train/space shuttle to take him to his destination. In Fictionland, nine times out of ten he'll arrive too late. To rub some salt into the wound, he might get there just in time to see it leave. In a mundane, slice-of-life series, it can mean as little as having to walk to work or school. In more dramatic works, it can have dire consequences, especially if The Hero is left stranded somewhere (or when). A common variant is taking the wrong bus, which could get you just about anywhere. Not to be confused with Put on a Bus.