getting to the book launch

I’m going to a book launch tonight – which is all very well. Bravo. Bravo. Book signed, etc. Excellent.
But to get there from here I must brave the most unreliable bus in the world.
OK so I could walk from Smith St to Lygon St BUT I’m wearing my pointy boots which – while they look lovely – were never meant for a trek from Fitzroy to Carlton.
I have tried this road trip on a number of previous occasions and have never succeeded in making it to the other end at my preferred time of arrival. The ETAs on the timetable at the bus stop seem to be random choices. Merely there for form’s sake. Just something for disgruntled passengers to look at while they refer to their watches and ‘tsk’.
Sometimes my arrival at the stop coincides with the arrival of the bus. Praise worthy so you might think. But I’m usually only there because I’ve given myself 1/2 hour waiting time.
There is just no outsmarting the bus. Give myself 1/2 an hour to wait and I arrive at the other end way too soon. (Thank goodness for Lygon Street’s yummy bookshops.) Arrive at bus stop at nominated ETA only to breathe in traffic fumes in the cold for 3/4 of an hour. Arrive late. (Again.)
Is there a small god of public transport? I’m pretty sure if I arrived at his/her temple/depot I’d be greeted with the words – sorry, not in service.