Bus or Bust!

I never rode the bus to school growing up. In a way I feel like I missed a pretty common part of the childhood experience. Because I didn't start young, I didn't have the experience of riding on public transportation until I was 21 years old.

To me the bus seemed like an inefficient, dirty, and a hassle as a way of transportation. In our individualistic society we want our space, music, and needs met at the speed of light. I had never given public transit a second thought until I started going to school 30+ miles away, totaling 60 extra miles a day on my speedometer and up to 240 miles a week. That was outstanding (in a very bad way) to me and I decided something had to change.

Once realizing that a 6 month bus pass was included in my tuition, for only $10 extra dollars, I started asking around to find out about bus times, stops, and friends' experiences with public transportation. I began taking the bus twice a week to school. At first I had to adjust to not being on my own time, having to wait (sometimes at not so safe or clean) bus stops, and figuring out the maze of routes on the map before me. After a few weeks of riding the bus, I began to feel more comfortable and began to really enjoy not having to drive to school. On top of saving $150, on the parking pass alone, I calculated I was saving more than $500 a SEMESTER on gas! That fact caused me to fall even deeper in love with my new wheels.

Having ridden the bus for the past year, I have found that the bus is no more confusing, dirty or inefficient. Between driving to school, parking and walking in, my commute is almost exactly the same. I greatly enjoy my mornings on the bus; it gives me time to catch a few more Zs, sip my coffee, and wake up for the day. The ride home provides a time to reflect on my day, people watch, and yet again take a sweet nap. I don't miss the stress of traffic, changing lanes, sharking for parking, and filling up at the gas tank every other day! By riding in a seat next to people of all races, ages and backgrounds I feel like I am actually experiencing the world around me as opposed to driving to and from school in my little Honda box listening to the latest pop music. On top of all of these things, I am never ceased to be entertained and amused by the community around me on the bus. I found that several times a week I would get home and have the funniest stories from the bus and I decided that I would share my experiences and humorous stories with those of you who already do ride the bus or are yet to be apart of the glorious world that is public transportation.

Many people rely on the bus everyday. Whether it's the sweet 80 year old lady going to the grocery store, the 91 year old man on his way to manage (yes he's STILL a manager) his apartment complex, the 40 something woman on her way to work, or the student studying on their way to Sac State, the bus is a reliable, eco-friendly, and inexpensive option for anyone who choses to use it. I am not obligated to ride the bus, but since I first stepped onto the Yolobus a year ago I have found that I enjoy it so much and encourage you to give it a try too!