On Bus Rides and Other Things

Today I took the bus to the grocery store. So did my neighbor, who has a perfectly functioning car. That she chose public transportation makes me like her more. But on Saturday, all was not good times and grocery runs. Saturday's buses were full of those in wheelchairs, scooters, and on walkes - those who have had a rough go of it, to say the least. And Saturday's experience brought me back to my Chicago days of bus riding...

My first real experience with mass transit occurred in Chicago, as an undergrad on the South Side. Want to get to the city? Take a bus. I mean, you could hop on the El...but you'd have to take a bus to get there. So, we reconciled ourselves to getting around via buses.

And I have no qualms with buses. Trains are sanitary - chock full of suits and novels and all that nonsense that rarely occurs on a bus. Sure, they're faster, but are trains really better?

I soon discovered the benefits of the bus. From Point A to Point B - what's the fastest route? The bus. Want to know who's driving and who to sit nearby in the case of sketchy fellow commuters? Get to know your bus driver. Running a dime or quarter short on this trip? S/he probably won't mind, as long as you make it up on the next ride.

That's what's so great about bus drivers. Today's driver - on the way back - was able to laugh along with all of us as two gals in Louboutin platforms (I kid you not) discovered the intricacies of the payment mechanism. Yep, it's $1.35 and yep, you both have to pay the full amount and, nope, there are no longer any transfers. But as we all laughed and the driver nearly passed my stop, I was reminded of the reason why I enjoy riding the bus so very much - sometimes human interaction can make all the difference, even if it's just a bus ride...