Switch Bus sign stopped appearing after a few days — bus unusable without Pam

[Ray22]

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Version: 1.6.15.3

Bug Description:
When I first unlocked the Calico Desert bus (after finishing the Vault bundle in Year 2), the new feature worked correctly — if Pam wasn’t there, a wooden sign appeared that let me drive the bus myself.

But after just a couple of in-game days, the sign stopped showing up completely. Now, whenever Pam isn’t at the bus stop, the bus is just unusable again, exactly like it was before the update.

 

[Ereo]

What date is it? Can you screenshot when she is not there?

 

[Ray22]

It is Wednesday the 17th of fall year three and I know that yesterday in the game it was the 16th so that was the fair festival. I know that she’s not going to be there during the fair so that’s not what I’m concerned about. It’s about all the other days where it’s not a festival or special event. The image I sent is proof that she doesn’t leave the sign back anymore after she leaves. I can’t use the bus. I even left that part of map and came back and nothing changed.

 

[Ereo]

She leaves at 5, and you’re there at 5:50.

 

[Ray22]

So when is the sign supposed to show up? Because I waited the entire day to just sit and wait for her to leave so I could take a screenshot. I thought the sign shows up after she leaves or she’s just not there.

 

[Ereo]

It’s just there if she takes a day off (goes to Ginger island or to the clinic). It’s only there during her working hours.

 

[Ray22]

Do you happen to know what day she takes off or goes to the clinic or is that just random?

 

[Ereo]

Ginger island is random, the clinic is spring 25.

 

[Starfish]

Hi everyone! @Ray22, you mentioned a festival in the original post. I assume you had a problem to take a bus on that festival day, even though you didn't mention it in your post specifically? Is that why you then observed the bus station in the following days?
I'm tagging on this issue because mine might be related, since it happened on a festival day as well.

For me it is currently Spring 15 of year 3, first day of the desert festival. It's raining (actually: storming) and Pam does not come to the bus stop, instead she is at home on her couch and won't move. There is no sign at the bus stop for me to drive myself. When I try to buy a ticket I am told to wait for a bus driver. It is now 15:40 in the game and I don't think she or the sign will appear at all today.

I definitely saw her standing at the stop recently, I think on a sunny day. But I can't remember how many ingame days ago that was and whether it was before or after a co-op session, if that should matter.

Should it be raining on a festival day (or does it not matter since the festival is in the desert)?

Speaking of rain: in this spring, I had plenty of rainy days. I have not had a "drought" like some of the other players.

I sometimes play in local co-op. Other players have posted a problem with a bus on switch and Playstation and mentioned it could be fixed by opening co-op again. This has not worked for me, unfortunately.

Extra info, probably not related:
- I saw one of Pam's heart events when I went to check up on her in her trailer. She received a package of beer (?) which didn't taste good.
- I had a chair in front of Pam's house until this happened and have now removed it.
- Ginger Island Resort is open (but Pam is in her trailer today).

Nintendo Switch (1) , Game Version 1.6.15.3