Virtual Bus. Real Money. Commenters Angry.

Yesterday the folks at boston.com took us for a spin in the MBTA’s new $1.3 million bus simulator. The price tag alone was enough to elicit derision from a score of commenters. (Some highlights included the sad, but true “Let’s see how long the simulator works before it breaks down” and the more histrionic “I was going to ask if the video game teaches the drivers to be rude and sometimes challenge the passengers to fights.”)

However, we recognize that maneuvering a 60-foot behemoth around this city’s narrow, pedestrian-filled streets can’t be easy. As the accompanying video shows, driving the virtual bus definitely gave the Globe’s transportation reporter, Noah Bierman, quite a headache. It’s probably not the worst investment to have novice drivers practice on virtual streets before slamming into actual cars and kids.

Our main regret is that the T didn’t pick up a dispatching simulator in the deal. Without access to the latest technology, how will they teach the basics, like “skipping scheduled routes during rush hour,” and the more advanced “failing to run the last 66 and stranding people in Harvard Square”? Inquiring minds want to know!