Over the past few months I have done my time on the Metro and the JO. Experiences have proven to be friendly, too friendly and otherwise just bumpy.
To take a bus to school I have had to regularly get rides to the nearest bus stop, take multiple stops and, at times, walk the distance.
The experience began with a failed leisurely morning bike ride to school. After my bike tire went flat the second time I decided I couldn't go on. It just so happened that I was near an old friend who was willing to take me to class with a smile. Since the engine oil went dry on my car and I tore up the motor, I know that I can only expect this courtesy for so long. How long though? Well, I wasn't waiting around to find out the hard way.
And so I looked up the website kcata.org and took the challenge to decipher through maps with buried treasures of ways to get around. Sad to say the nearest bus stop is over a mile away from my house.
Catch the bus at seven a.m. to get to school to a physics lecture at eight. Walk, bike, catch a ride... I had my ways of getting there. But that's only the beginning of the journey. I transferred from the 249, to the 55 to get there and the 25 to the 163 to the 156 to get back. I need not mention the lack of weekend transportation.
At times, the bus routes I took were crude. I can't remember how many times I was asked for a cigarette or drugs. I've even been offered to be saved by Jesus. Uncomfortable looks were probably the worst though.
Many times I seemed to get there just as the bus was driving away. I must say, chasing a bus is a form of art mastered by few and sought by many. Some attempts seemed feeble, but every once and a while I got lucky.
But when it's all said and done the bottom line is that it will be an experience to remember and probably one of the most valuable set of life lessons for my toolbox.
I should say that riding the bus is a healthy clean air alternative to the commute. I should say that the bus system will change transportation as we know it, but that would be a fib on my experiences. One thing's for sure, when I get my car running I won't hesitate to jump on a few busses for shits and giggles.
Yusuf- Monday, April 18, 2005 4:46 a.m.
** Opinions expressed in the Unews blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The University News or its staff.
