Bus Pass It Along

thanks!

2008-12-23T14:48:00.001-08:00

A million (no, a zillion) thanks to the Transportation Task Force for support our use of mass transit this past semester. It was an extremely hectic semester for me and knowing that I could just hop on the bus and not panic because I had forgotten correct change made life a little easier. The pass always gives me a sense of ownership of the three transit systems I ride. I’m now back to just another anonymous rider.

Again, thanks.

Matt

M a t t W a r n i n g

Associate Professor
Department of Economics
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA 98416-1057
Phone: (253) 879-8555
http://www.ups.edu/faculty/mwarning/

I hate Inflation

2008-12-05T11:50:00.001-08:00

I have to say, I’m a little miffed at Pierce Transit. I recently heard that the fare for the bus was increasing effective January 1, 2009. Currently, adult fare is $1.50 and the fare will be going up to $1.75. This is going to increase the monthly pass from $54.00 to $63.00. That’s a lot of money. I thought that with gas prices being so high this year and more people riding the bus, they wouldn’t have to increase the fare, but sadly, that’s just not the case. This is why it’s more important than ever before for the Transportation Task Force to get these bus projects rolling. I’m so grateful for the discounted passes I received for September-November, but now with prices going up, I’m going to be feeling the pain in my pocketbook. While I do work at Puget Sound, I am also going to graduate school, which I pay for along with books. It adds up quick and with the holidays coming… I’m just tapped out. I hope that the Transportation Task Force will continue to work and expand this bus project because it is sustainable, but also, in these tough economic times, we need all the breaks we can get. So, thank you to TTF for the wonderful opportunity this year and I will be looking forward to your projects in the future!

Amy, Staff Member

Bus Buddies Reunited!

2008-10-27T14:39:00.001-07:00

The bus buddies and I have been a little out of touch. Our schedules just have not been coinciding this semester, so there have been far fewer chuckles on my daily commute, however late last week the stars aligned and when the 16 pulled up to the stop on North 2^nd and Division, the bus buddies were reunited at last. It was a very happy and pleasant commute, though again, much too short. Funnily enough, Zac knew other buddies on the bus, so he had the joy of feeling really popular on his morning commute as many people were happy to see him.

Zac and I were also able to enjoy another pleasant conversation over dinner at Doyle’s. I’m excited to say, he’s looking forward to my upcoming show and was laughing very much while reading the script. It excites me greatly and I hope others will enjoy it just as much. He even invited me to join his church choir and offered his knowledge and support for my show. My bus buddies are such lovely and wonderful people and I know that if I didn’t ride the bus each day, I truly would have missed out on two great friendships.

Amy E. Corcoran '06

Student Financial Services Specialist

University of Puget Sound

253-879-3234

Stranger Danger?

2008-10-10T09:19:00.001-07:00

Have you ever been given a gift by a stranger? This happens to me a lot and I think it’s because I’m nice; too nice, really. I make eye contact with strangers, smile, and say hello and this has caused me to be put in some pretty awkward situations.

I was followed around a grocery store once, cornered, told I was beautiful, and asked out on a date, all because I simply made eye-contact with a man. I went to a bar once and an older lonely French man proposed to me after I spent the evening in conversation with him. A couple from Gig Harbor once gave me a ride in the middle of the night as I walked to a bar in Hilltop. At this bar, I was offered employment by a pimp and given a portrait of myself by a man I didn’t even see. He just handed it to me and slipped out the door. I have oodles of these kinds of stories because these kinds of things just seem to happen to me. Like this next one:

For about a year, I have been catching the 16 on Commerce St. There is a man that I see Monday through Friday that makes me really uncomfortable. It’s completely irrational because all he does is wish me a good day or a good weekend, but for some reason he just makes me feel uneasy. I have been thinking about him a lot recently and wondering if I would be this uncomfortable if he was a little younger and a little more attractive. I’m ashamed to admit that I would probably not be as scared if I found him attractive. I could tell he must be an art student because he’s always carrying one of those large cases and takes the 2 to TCC. I felt bad that I had pegged this man as creepy and so am making an effort to be a little bit nicer to him.

I haven’t seen him much this week and was a little relieved, but at the same time wondering where he could be. Then this morning, I saw him get off his bus to make his transfer on Commerce and he walked right past me without saying anything. Again, I was relieved. A few moments later, he walked back up to me and got a little too close for my comfort level. I realized he was pulling something out of his case and he handed me this beautiful drawing he did. It reminded me of my backpack. It had the same color of purple in the background and the same exploding flowers. He just handed it to me, told me to have a good weekend, and walked away.

If you keep making that face it'll stick like that

2008-09-29T14:32:00.001-07:00

I was riding the bus back to my friend's apartment one night. I was sitting so I was looking backwards, and a young man was sitting about halfway back, facing forward. We made eye contact and he looked interesting so I thought about moving so I could talk to him, but didn't. The next time we locked eyes he made a weird face at me, so I made one back. We kept doing this for about fifteen minutes, then he came up to the front of the bus and introduced himself. I asked him if he wanted to sit down, but he said he couldn't because he had to get off the bus. I didn't think anything of it, then a few weeks later we ran into each other in a store where I happened to remember his name. We talked, exchanged numbers, and now we're friends.

Lauren, Student

September Bus Blog

2008-09-29T11:55:00.001-07:00

Thanks for my half price September and October bus passes, Sustainability Team! They are *much* appreciated!

You Have To Be This Tall To Ride

One Monday morning in early September I stepped on a pretty empty bus to ride to work. There was a slightly smiling man in a suit and tie in one of the first rows on the left and a group of three small boys next to him on the right, a few young people closer to the back. I took a seat behind the three boys and admired their matching lunch pails and tiny hoodies and skate shoes. They appeared to be brothers – all three freckled with hair ranging from red to strawberry blond. They were very quiet, glancing at each other frequently but not saying anything. Every so often the oldest would nod to the younger two in response to some unspoken question. I looked over at the well-dressed man I assumed to be their father. He didn’t seem to be paying any attention to them. As we headed up the street, the oldest boy reached a tentative hand up to the stop cord, the other two looking on nervously, then put it back down. At each stop, they worried silently with quick moving glances. The man near them didn’t seem to notice. I started wondering if they were by themselves. Once we neared the next turn, the oldest pulled the cord and the three boys, looking around furtively but not saying a word, started to step off. It was clear by now that they were by themselves. They stepped off at the corner and stood at the stop, where no bus would meet them until the next bus on the same route, headed the same direction, would arrive a half hour later. I wondered why they weren’t at school by that time of morning and why they were riding the city bus alone. Wondered how young you had to be before the bus driver questioned you. I wanted to follow them off the bus and ask them if they were ok. They looked unsure and worried. I wondered if one of us, riders or bus driver, should have checked in with them. I know kids today have such intense stranger danger-fear instilled in them by their parents - I didn’t want to freak them out. I thought about them a lot that day and hoped they reached their destination safely. Hoped they weren’t trying to run away from home bus by bus with all of Pierce Transit as unmoving witnesses. Hoped if they were trying to run away from home with good reason that they reached Grandma’s house without meeting the wolf.

The Singing Bus Driver

There is a 16 bus driver who sings the upcoming stops in a fine, robust tenor. It makes for a happy ride.

Please, if you happen to ride his bus, don’t just say thank you – sing it. It will show him his positive attitude is appreciated.

Leah

Leah Coakley

Administrative Specialist

Office of the Chief Diversity Officer

Access Programs

University of Puget Sound

Howarth 215B

253.879.2827

Start 'em young

2008-09-29T10:10:00.001-07:00

As with most human behavior, people's comfort level with riding the bus seems to depend on prior experience and habit. If riding the bus is a natural thing for you, the sometimes odd but nearly always harmless behavior of some of your fellow passengers rarely fazes you. For this reason, I've gone out of my way to introduce my young son to the bus. We ride fairly frequently to places around town here in Olympia, most often (but not always) if his mother is using the car.

For example, a few weeks ago we were headed out one weekend to our local Children's Museum, a favorite haunt, and I decided it'd be a good day to take the bus downtown. We caught our bus a few blocks from home without incident (the woman sitting at the curb near our stop complaining about how the last driver had refused to let her on without paying notwithstanding) and made a smooth connection at the transit center.... about a 20 min ride altogether.

On the way home we caught our first bus after a short wait and headed for the transit center. Now, my son likes to sit near the window on the bus. He loves being up high and being able to see everything. Usually this is fine but can present some issues when the bus is at all crowded (which these days is much of the time as anyone riding the bus will have noticed). We reach the transit center and I point out our connection. Suddenly, my son bolts for it at top speed and before I can catch up he's on the bus and headed to the back. I step onto the bus just in time to see my little bull clambering over the lap of a large, gruff-looking, somewhat unkempt about 250 lb dude with a bushy grey beard in the back seat so he can get to the rear window seat. Thankfully, this guy didn't seemed bothered and took it in stride and I managed to coax my son to sit next to me at a different window seat, albeit with our backs to the window.

At the end of the day, we had a great trip to the museum and he's getting used to the idea that riding the bus makes sense, even in a city made for cars. I imagine by the time he's my age, that may change (gas prices, global warming, all point to more dense living where transit makes sense).

Garrett, Staff

Bus Buddies

2008-09-24T08:46:00.001-07:00

I have been riding the bus for about a year. In the beginning, I was terrified! Is this the bus I get on? Who can I ask? Am I outbound or inbound? What if the bus is late? Why is that crazy woman yelling at me and telling everyone I’m her daughter? I’ve never seen her before in my life! Luckily, I found that there is a whole culture and community when riding the bus. I have definitely had my share of frustrations when riding, but to smooth out those rough days, I have my bus buddies.

It took time for my relationship to develop with my bus buddies. There is a small group of Loggers that rides the 16 each day and one woman I recognized from my time as a student. She’s very popular and knows pretty much everyone on campus. I’m staff now, so I should be bold and strike up conversation with her, right? I mean, we’re all staff, there’s no reason to be shy! It took about 14 bus trips with the lady, Jane, before I was confident enough to speak to her, but after that, we were fast friends. Through her, I met Zac, my other bus buddy. The two of them are absolutely wonderful and have made my time on the bus much too short. I’m always a little bit sad when we pass 15^th and Oakes because I know that soon it will be time to get off and we will part for the day.

While riding, we talk about the bus drivers and schedules, as well as work and family. It makes me sad to think that I might never have had the opportunity to get to know them, if it hadn’t been for the bus. Our friendship has moved beyond the bus too. We’ve gone out for dinner and drinks and have met each other’s partners and friends. There’s always a giggle over how we met. “We’re bus buddies!” we proudly shout.

It’s always a joy to bump into each other on campus. There’s a throwing up of our arms in the air and a hollering of, “BUS BUDDY!” as we rush towards each other. People stare. It’s okay. You’ll understand, someday.

Amy, Staff Member

Isolation and community on the bus

2008-04-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

I'm a fairly shy person when it comes to strangers. Making eye contact is sometimes intimidating and I'm not yet sure where I fit into this community. The bus is a slightly different experience. Everyone getting on the bus share the ride; both the risks and rewards. We all get to where we need, and if anything bad happens, we're in it together. There is a connection for that five, ten, twenty minutes from point A to point B, and in my experience, the people on the bus are quite friendly. I moved once to allow an older gentlemen a seat, and he gave me a delicious piece of Big Ben candy.

Even though many people are isolated by their music and books, there still feels like a bond, a smile, a shared joke.

Baby steps.

Amy, student.

The Long Way

2008-04-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

Subject: The Long Way

By now, I feel pretty confident in my ability to navigate the Tacoma and
Seattle bus system. Or at least I thought I was, a recent bus expedition
proved otherwise. I was trying to get to point A, in this little scenario.
Point A being a place that I have managed to get to via bus in the past, but
this time, I had printed out directions, because for some reason I thought I
needed them. My first mistake was standing on the wrong side of the road.
After the bus I should have gotten on, passed me going to opposite
direction, I took a deep breath, re-established my patience, and stepped
onto a bus that I knew very well was not the correct one. I ended up
basically being driven around to Tacoma, hitting up point E, point V, point
K, etc., before finally completing to circle, and landing at my
destination&lsqauo;in short, a trip that should have taken 10 minutes, took 40
minutes. But, I got to know Tacoma a little more intimately, realized I¹m
better off without directions, and had the fact that every bus trip presents
a new adventure, reaffirmed.

Tara, Student

Monks and Baseball

2008-04-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

Subject: Monks and Baseball

One Saturday morning I set out on my way to Qwest Field to see the Dalai
Lama speak. By the time I made it down to the transfer station in down town
Tacoma however, I realized my plan of giving myself an hour extra to get up
there was a huge underestimate on my part. I boarded the good ol¹ 594 to
Seattle, to find an already packed bus. So me, along with the dozen or so
others at the bus stop, all loaded up together, and stood for what turned
out to be an extended trip, due to traffic being re-routed because of the
Daffodil Parade.

So, as I¹m standing my way up to Seattle, a conversation starts up between
the others standing, as a few people tried to sardine themselves in seats
that had been squished together to make room for a wheel chair. It quickly
became clear that the bus was filled with people who, like me, were going to
see the Dalai Lama, and those who were headed up for the Mariners game
scheduled for later that day. This proved to be an interesting mix of
people. One of the Mariners fans asked, ³What is the Dalai Lama?² To which
someone kindly replied, ³he¹s a religious leader.² The man said, ³oooh yeah,
he¹s Jewish isn¹t he?²

Then again, if someone had asked me to name the team the Mariners were
playing again, or who one of their starters was, I would have been at a
loss.

Tara, Student

this and that

2008-04-17T08:59:00.001-07:00

This will be a follow-up on an earlier posting, as well as something new.

Jean, the subject of a previous blog, was just given a present from Pierce Transit of a fishing rod and reel, to mark her 30^th year of service. At the party someone showed her my blog about her. Her husband joked that he recognized the picture of his wife, but not my written description. At least he must have been joking, since no lawyer has yet shown up with a libel suit. She was going to try out here new fishing gear this past sunny weekend , but the motor of the boat she was going to use didn’t cooperate, so I haven’t heard any fish stories yet from her.

In addition to my favorite driver Jean, let me say thank-you, before this BlogSpot goes out of business, to the wonderful women who work in glassed-in environment of the Bus Shop by the waterfalls on Commerce. St. It’s there you can go for the next month’s pass or tickets, as well as bus change, schedule information, lost-and-found, etc. They have been invariably helpful, cheerful and efficient, except when their computers are balky, for which they will keep apologizing. And when, as happened not long ago, someone ii a car came by and snatched my book bag on the bus stop bench while I was looking in the other direction., they have been very sympathetic and solicitous. One of these women, and one who has been especially helpful, is Laurel, who lives across the street of Professor T.T and his wife, with whom we share a mutual acquaintance/ So we chat about our UPS connections whenever I’m in the Shop and no one else is in the waiting line. In a way, a kind of impromptu town and gown get-together,

Wallace,

Staff

Everyday Discourse: From Trotsky to Keynes

2008-04-13T20:10:00.001-07:00

On average a typical bus ride consists of reading or listening to my iPod with an occasional conversation with one of my fellow riders. Today, my normal, would be 30 minute ride transpired into a discourse of the last century and the western world. The gentlemen sitting to my left appeared engaged and eager for conversation. I learned pretty fast that he was a WWII Vet and served his country proud. Beyond that, I was intrigued by how he so eloquently explained the perils of the European-American struggle in the early-mid 20th century and the inner workings of western world. As the title suggests, there was plenty to be covered in this 30 minute ride; each minute was a decade covered and a decade lost. The content was great and the historical account was unparalleled in many respects. The most exciting part to me, however, was his passion. It has been a while since I have met someone with such radiating emotion and passion for a multitude of subjects. Over the span of the ride, he never wavered in his tone or feeling and by the end of the ride, I felt as though I was there with him the whole time. In the end, my would-be ordinary ride turned into so much more and I am glad that every once in a while we are challenged and engaged into a dialog of debate and good-hearted discussion.

Nathan, student

public figures

2008-04-10T08:08:00.001-07:00

One thing about public transport here is that I haven’t seen public figures on it, unlike New York where Mayor Bloomberg rides the subway. Years ago, I met Gary Locke canvassing for votes at the Federal Way bus transfer stop, but that has been the extent of my transport encounters with public figures. Or rather “public figures” in the narrow sense. In a broader sense, there are people who are not politicians or celebrities, but who have developed a public persona, a visibly noticeable image that sets themselves apart from the rest of us. Those are some of the sorts you will see on public transport. Today’s blog will be about three of them, riders who enrich the texture of commuting.

To begin with, in order of proximity, there is “Three-fingered-Jack,” the grizzled-bearded street musician, often to be seen in Diversions with a newspaper and coffee. He invariably rides the afternoon bus to Seattle for Mariners and Seahawks games, carrying his fold-up chair and battered guitar case, and has dibs thanks to age and disability to the front bus seats. If you don’t know, he’ll tell you.

Then there is another man of the hippy generation, but with more bizarre facial hair, who often rides the morning bus to Tacoma. Details of his costume had indicated to me he was a clown (the hayseed denim overalls stopping above the ankles, with candy-colored striped socks and overlarge shoes below). Yet his lumbering bulk seemed too intimidating and his features too hard-bitten for any parent to want to hire him to entertain a kiddy birthday party. The sort of clown he was became clear in last November’s Seattle Weekly article on the “Pike Street All-stars.” His public name is “Squeaky Tom,” who after a series of hard knocks is trying to make a living selling varied shaped balloons at the Market.

My last example is not a public entertainer in a professional sense, though he performs. He may not have a street name like Jack or Tom, but he has fashioned a public image with his fashionable dress of yesteryear. When he rides the buses in Seattle, he joshes with the drivers and fellow passengers, calling them “young whipper-snappers.” Old-fashioned expressions come naturally to describe him, since he is two years short of being a century old, as he proudly told us on the bus last week. He’s a “nifty dresser,” something like George Raft, periodically seen on the Turner Classic Movie channel. He wears his hats (including the kind of stiff straw boater hat that stopped being common street wear in the early 1930s) at a rakish angle, and sometimes has a “boutonnière” on his lapel. He cuts a jaunty figure on the sidewalk, even or especially with his cane. He is in his public encounters, what in 19^th century France was called a “flâneur.”

If you’re into people watching, as a flâneur of today, public transport is a good way to go.

Wallace,

Staff

Mr. Boomerang

2008-04-04T20:07:00.001-07:00

I decided to further expand the scope of my bus riding by taking the bus early on a Saturday morning to Vassault Playfield to meet a friend and run part of the Sound to Narrows course.

So, I catch the #28 to Tacoma Community College for the connection with the #10 heading north. (To my great interest, the bus that ran the #28 route became the bus that then ran the #10 route.) Rather than sit on a bus going nowhere I leave figuring that the driver left so I can get back on when she gets back on. While she and I wait for the assigned departure time, we are entertained by a Pierce Transit employee who, apparently on a break from driving his Pierce Transit pick-up truck, takes time to practice his boomerang throwing and catching (or fetching if the boomerang returned to his vicinity).

This guy had some obvious confidence and skill because he was throwing in the parking areas for the buses with nothing and no one in danger. When the driver and I got back on the bus, I should have asked her if she knew Mr. Boomerang, but it was too early for complete sentences.

Has anyone else seen the boomerang guy?

Brad, Staff

Jean

2008-04-03T07:51:00.001-07:00

Hello, to whomever is out there.

Last week the call went out that we should post blogs with pictures of our favorite bus drivers. This blog will be about Jean, who may even appear in the digital camera image of her inserted into this message. Or perhaps not, because of technological hiccups. This is my second attempt this week. In any case, she has a very welcoming face. I’ve had many good bus drivers from and to Seattle-Tacoma, and once to Olympia, but clearly Jean excels. We meet most mornings at the no. 11 bus stop, either at the Dome Station, after I’ve ridden the Sounder (excellent connection), or at the 10^th and Commerce stop, after I’ve walked the length of Pacific and Commerce, as described in a previous blog posting.

Jean is an excellent driver, and in fact has been offered the job to train the newbie’s. She also willingly tells the less experienced drivers the tricks of the trade not covered in basic training.

But her bus skills aside, she excels with her people skills. She knows how to control the occasional unruly passenger, but always with velvet-gloved hands, thanks to the skills she honed as a mother, grandmother, and nurse. She knows her regular passengers, often on a first-name basis, and looks out for them, when they aren’t waiting at their usual stop, or when, as happened to me, they are too absorbed in reading, that they are about to miss getting off at their regular stop. She facilitates conversation on her bus (one rider even saying the bus ride made her arrive at work finally fully awake, like having had a cup of java. But if no one on the bus wants to speak, she is also happy with that. She is invariably open, alert and friendly, even when, as happened after a recent weekend of muscle-straining yard work and obligation to entertain a houseful of guests. Jean is already ready for the challenges of the new day, and never a curmudgeon in the process.

When I took a picture of her last Friday to include in this posting, she said that someone else had pointed a camera at her earlier. Another UPSer? So this encomium may not be the only one she’ll be receiving this week.

Wallace, Faculty

April

2008-03-31T02:51:00.001-07:00

Wowza, is it gonna be April already? Don't forget to grab your new pass on Tuesday morning!

curling up with a good book...

2008-03-30T23:33:00.001-07:00

It may be counterintuitive that one of the only places I get to do that is on my commute; thinking of the public bus doesn't typically conjure images typically involving snuggling up with a warm pile of pillows, a cup of tea (or coffee, as we are in the Pacific Northwest), and some choice reading material. But on Friday, with the weird snow-slush-rain-hail, the #1 passed my stop when I was a block away on Lawrence. I headed down to the stop by Starbucks with the shelter and waited until the next one (did I mention I love that I only have 15 minutes to wait whenever I miss this line? Just enough to walk a few blocks, shake off some tension, and sit for a few minutes). It was a wonderful thing to step onto that heated bus, peel off my hat and coat and pull out my book to get lost in its pages.

Jennifer, student

Causing a Bus Ruckus

2008-03-28T12:02:00.001-07:00

Yep, I caused a ruckus on the bus yesterday. I travel to Seattle at least twice a week via the 594 for an internship in the art department of Anthropologie. At first, the hour commute was taking a toll on my agenda to get stuff done (which consists of too many side projects; not enough homework), but I have come to find the commute to be a great time to work on projects. At work, I am around so many creative people and we work on some pretty outlandish art installations so I usually leave the store fully inspired. When I board the 594, I love opening my sewing bag and pulling out the new shirt I am decking out with knotted fabric or scarf I am embroidering. So, back to the ruckus. My newest bustime project is hand-sewing lace decor to a plain grey t-shirt. While the bumpiness of the busride can become a nuisance, I usually work around it, but this time it got the best of me. The bus hit a bump and sent my thread flying under the seat across the aisle. I kindly asked the woman next to me if she could reach under and grab it for me, and while she was nice enough to help, the bus hit another bump mid-reach. The end of the thread stuck under her seat, but the spool rolled towards the front of the bus, then towards the back, and all around, creating a spidersweb of thread wound around the bus. By this time, people had taken notice. The man sitting behind me was directing everyone reaching for the spool as it rolled around the bus floor. Finally, after a few minutes of quite the thread ruckus, the spool rolled right back to my seat and I reached down and cut it from the tangled web it had created. I thanked everyone who had tried to catch the runaway thread spool and let some people who were still looking for it know that it returned home safely. While I still plan on using my bustime to work on projects, I think I am going to make my next project a harness of all my tools so I don't become the bus disturbance again.

Paige, student

bus blog

2008-03-25T13:57:00.001-07:00

I got a great xmas gift that I use on my long 1 hour 45 min commutes: a portable DVD player. Its the easiest way to pass away so much time. Of course I go through DVDs like hotcakes so I have both a Netflix and a Blockbuster account. I think I'm gonna watch all 4 seasons of House while commuting next month. Also, doesn't it just make your day when you catch all your buses at the exact times and make it to your destination earlier than you thought. That happened to me yesterday, and it was mucho nice-o.

Daniel, student

Mentholatum

2008-03-25T07:58:00.001-07:00

There comes a moment, when one is mentally composing the next blog for this series, usually during the commute hours, when one asks oneself, “Would this be appropriate, as a reporter’s item that will encourage other UPSers to use public transport? Would this report, of the opposite of fun and games aboard public transport, turn readers off, and make them stick to their private cars?”

But then I imagined some perverse, inverted universe, if UPS were trying to encourage single car commuting. Would any blog reporting an accident, or pull-over for traffic violation, discourage anyone? Hardly, since in actual life those sightings are usual in daily car commuting, with passing motorists probably saying to themselves, that’ll never happen to me, or if so, it will be mañana, a nebulous future too indistinct to worry about. Or the passing car driver in a clunker experiences Schadenfreude, if the car in the incident is very high-end. But that kind of glee would also likely not be expressed on the blog, unless the UPS blogger is oblivious to what that kind of diatribe would do to her/his campus repute.

But speculating about jeremiads against Hummer aggressors on I-5 takes me too far from what I wanted to talk about, about what we public transport commuters should report, or suppress, in reporting about our rides. Yes, not all the experiences are pleasant, no more than for the single-car motorists. The following report is one example, but also perhaps one where the reader can use in other situations.

One afternoon, an elderly man got on the Tacoma-Seattle bus. He exuded an overpowering odor, from not having bathed for months or whatever. He sat at the front of the bus, and we riders quickly moved as far away to the back as we could—fortunately the bus was half empty that afternoon. The bus driver didn’t have the option of relocating. She was stuck there at the wheel, with the man sitting three feet away. She drove as fast as she legally could to Seattle, or maybe a little faster, while periodically telling the passengers over her intercom how sorry she was about situation. (The drivers do care about us.)

Should such a situation occur in the future, I am now prepared, thanks to someone who knows about autopsies and dissections on ripe specimens. Smear a little Mentholatum in your nostrils to suppress the stench. So now I carry a little jar of it in my book bag, and you may want to carry the same salve also, not just for the bus, but also for other occasions, if for instance in a funeral cortège car you find yourself trapped sitting next to an elderly aunt with negligent hygiene.

Fortunately, this odiferous event has never been repeated on the busses I ride. The accidents and pull-overs of single car vehicles seen from the bus windows, however, occur almost daily.

Wallace, Faculty

Spring Break in Seattle

2008-03-24T11:43:00.001-07:00

When I first started visiting Seattle freshman year, I tended to pass two major closures on my adventures through the city: the SAM and the Transit Tunnel. Recent experiences tell me that the two year wait was worthwhile. Earlier this Fall I had a great time exploring the SAM and over spring break I had the opportunity to use the Transit Tunnel for the first time. I'll admit right now that while the Seattle transit system has always impressed me, I also find it a little overwhelming. In Tacoma, I rely heavily on my "The bus stops here" guide and the lack of a similar comprehensive rider guide often leaves me feeling lost. When my mom and aunt came to visit for spring break, they were determined to see the sights. Guidebook in hand, they knew where they wanted to go but had little idea of how to get there. My normal strategy of asking for help, getting on a bus that seemed to be going in the right direction or simply walking didn't seem like it was going to work. When my mom mentioned the Transit Tunnel, I hadn't even realized it was reopened. To my surprise, it worked out great. Not only was it a cool underground building, but the stops were easy to understand and the ride across town was quick and pleasant. Best of all, we stayed in the Ride Free Zone, meaning that even without the bus pass we didn't have to pay.

While I'm back to riding the trusty Tacoma buses now, it was great see another component of Seattle's bus system. Perhaps it even inspired my mom and aunt to try the local bus when they go back to the midwest.

Liz, student

See Ya Next Time!

2008-03-21T12:27:00.001-07:00

I have been riding public transportation as long as I can remember, so when I was looking at universities, I didn't even think to look into the public transportation system. I have always just assumed that everywhere was like Portland. But this is not the case! However, the south sound most definitely has a good and developing transit system. Perhaps the most fun is getting to know the drivers on the route that you take frequently. As much is possible on the short ride from school to downtown, I appreciate the driver's sense of humor as he tells stories to whomever will lend an ear, whether he is talking about traffic developments, construction detours, or the fact that he's glad to be driving a bus rather than a horse-drawn buggy, it always makes for a good chuckle on my way downtown. And you know that they take note when you hop off the bus at your stop and as you say "thanks" the driver says to you, "We'll see ya next time!" So thumbs up to riding the bus and getting to know people!

Jon, Student

Thanks Tacoma!

2008-03-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to rely on public transportation in Tacoma. While I was back in California for a couple days of spring break, I had to rely so heavily on the cars of other people, because we had such a HORRIBLE public transportation system! Here in Tacoma, I can travel anywhere from UP, Fircrest, Seattle, Lakewood, or just to Pt. Defiance for a quick walk around the park. It's fantastic! Thank you, Tacoma!

Courtney, student

Thanks drivers!

2008-03-20T21:04:00.001-07:00

So its easy to complain when a driver misses a stop or brakes too hard. However, apart from the cursory 'Thanks' on the way out the door, drivers get little appreciation for what they do right.

Last week, I had a couple of rides that brought home how valuable these unsung heroes of public transit really are. First, I had a driver who I recognized on the 7:30 Oly Express who admitted that she was new to the route and humbly asked for guidance with a cheerful disposition and good sense of humor. Turns out, it was her second time on the route. Having observed several drivers silently head off-route and miss stops, I really appreciated this and pitched in by pointing out stops and turns along the way. I think its safe to say everyone on the bus appreciated this driver and enjoyed the ride.

Just two days later, I was talking to the route 11 driver (I just started on this route since they pushed back the 16 sched., a nice buffer) and found out he had been driving for Pierce Transit for 20 yrs.! On top of that, there's apparently a guy who has been there for over 40! Now this driver is very good natured and jovial just about every time I get on his bus. He knows who rides his bus and waits for folks who are regulars if he can. In discussing drivers and handling of mistakes, he noted that the best policy is for drivers to admit mistakes and apologize. In general, he finds that riders are sympathetic under these circumstances. My (already substantial) appreciation of drivers was raised by learning that there are now over 70 routes that new PT drivers need to learn and often they get a 'mentor' riding along on at most 2 trips with a new route.

So the next time you feel grumpy because a driver makes a mistake think about how much of a load they take off of your shoulders on most days and instead of grumbling express some sympathy to the tough nature of their job.

Garrett, faculty

Pleasant Surprise

2008-03-19T20:29:00.001-07:00

Have you noticed how nice all the bus drivers seem to be? Maybe I've just been getting lucky, but every bus driver I've met was friendly and helpful. They can always tell if you're a rookie to the system. I was getting on a new route, not quite sure where I was going, but I had to make it to Seattle. With my suitcase packed I sat at the bus stop before dawn hoping that I was getting it right. Unfortunately I wasn't. The bus pulled up and as I got on with my suitcase, the bus driver asked me if I was going to Point Defiance. No, I told her, I was going to the Tacoma Dome. She smiled at me sweetly and kindly explained that I wanted the bus stop on the other side of the street. She then looked up when the bus was next scheduled to come. I was mbarrassed about my mistake,but she smiled at me warmly and wished me luck. She didn't get annoyed with the hopeless girl trying to figure out the bus, but she took the time to help me with nothing expected in return.

Kayla, Student

Forgotten Pass

2008-03-19T16:47:00.001-07:00

I, like probably a few others this month, forgot to grab my March pass. Upon stepping on the bus one bright Tuesday morning, I realized I only had an expired February pass and a $20 bill; both to which were no avail. The bus driver had two options at this point: (1) let me on the bus and (2) make me pay, or get of off the bus. Fortunately for me the driver chose the former and I was on my way to another day of learning at UPS. The bus driver not only remembered me, but was gracious enough to let me on without a pass or payment.

Nathan, student

caught without change

2008-03-19T15:47:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of March I forgot to grab the new monthly pass and stepped on the bus with the February pass. I also had no change, was very frustrated, and told the driver I'd get the next one. She just waved me on and told me not to worry about it. Nice! Drivers aren't always so friendly; when I had no pass and had to get transfers, the driver wouldn't let me on with a transfer that had expired about half an hour before...

Jennifer, student

Fishing on the Bus

2008-03-19T12:51:00.001-07:00

Fishing on the Bus

I’m always excited to introduce my friends to my favorite bus driver. Early afternoon, I can expect to be treated to the question, “Do you want to go fishing?” He cackles after asking the question and kneels the bus to us. Without fail, he will ask every person that steps on. He will even ask people waiting for another bus. He usually gets the stern death glare, but he keeps at it.

If you want someone to recognize you as a memorable bus driver, a common phrase does the trick. Whenever I think of fishing, I remember David Lynch talking about fishing for those big fish. Big fish are the ideas that are deep in the subconscious. His films are his big fish that resonate for him.

Big fish are in the bus. We just need to snuggle into a corner of the bus and start throwing the line. A ritual like a bus ride can dredge up some really big fish. Every time I ride the bus, I unpack my thoughts because I’m in transition and I have little worries.

- Todd Little

Special Delight

2008-03-18T12:22:00.001-07:00

Consider this: The bus stop around the corner from my house is so close that, starting in the kitchen, the driver, in a walker vs. driver race to the bus stop, may win by only a length.

Consider also: It is especially delightful to stroll to the bus stop and just stroll right onto the bus without having to wait for the bus to arrive.

With these considerations in mind, I suffered a certain sense of lost opportunity last week when, having to drive to work because of after-work errands, I drove by the bus stop just a moment ahead of the bus.

Brad, Staff.

Leaving on time!

2008-03-13T09:48:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, instead of staying late, I actually left work on time and was able to catch the 5:04pm (#16) to downtown. I was able to make my next connection and got home at around 5:30pm. Nice!

Save the Pagwens

2008-03-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

While in Seattle a couple of weekends ago, I grabbed some lunch and hopped on a bus, with the intention of making my way in a random direction to see if I could track down a 1960’s dress. My survey uncovered a lot of expected construction, a neat café with a tree house in front of it, and quite possible the most amazing “global warming awareness” poster that I have ever seem. The poster was hung amongst finger paintings in the window of a daycare. The poster, framed by a colorful border, read “Save the Pagwens…Dide you no that omost abot hafe of Antarctica melted.” It was moving enough to send me off the bus, in order to get a snap shot of it, which turned out well for me, because it also happened to be very close to a random vintage shop that had just what I was looking for.

Tara, Student

A New View of Tacoma on the '16'

2008-03-12T10:19:00.001-07:00

Wow, I got so busy telling everyone else about my bus adventures that I totally spaced posting in the blog. Here's the latest update:

After living close to 6th avenue for a year and a half, I moved this semester to a house on the Alder side of campus. Although I soon noticed the bus stop near my new house was for the "16" bus and it went downtown, I assumed it was inferior to my standard "1" bus and continued to walk to 6th Ave so as to avoid change. I finally decided to look at other options when my 7 minute bike commute turned into a 30 minute house to downtown commute that always resulted in me being 20 minutes early for work. The "16" has solved all of that. Not only is the bus stop right out my door, it also leaves at a better time, is less crowded and, to my great surprise, showed me a great new side of Tacoma. Don't get me wrong, I love 6th Ave, having walked a failing bike up it's hills more than once I have become acquainted with all of its glory. That being said, a little change is good. The '16' started out its journey downtown through some pretty narrow neighborhood streets. Since driving my little Saturn through these same streets still scares me, I was amazed that the bus was able to make it without incident. Views of the sound and Mount Ranier were up next followed by some Tacoma classics- Stadium high school, Rankos pharmacy and Frisko Freeze. It was a lovely start to my day and while the route may not have been the most direct way downtown.the views were definitely worth it.

Liz, student

Missing the bus

2008-03-12T09:30:00.001-07:00

Subject: Missing the Bus

So, after a lovely afternoon of rowing on Lake Union, a friend and me started back to the bus stop. Wanting to keep moving, we decided to keep going down the bus route, thinking we would be able to catch the bus further down. After about 10 minutes of walking, we were stuck waiting for traffic to subside, when we saw our bus driving past. We continued along our journey, eventually walking what seemed like the whole route of the bus we were trying to catch, wandering to from one end of Seattle to the other. All in all, not a bad hike.

Tara, Student

Sounder follow-up

2008-03-12T08:28:00.001-07:00

Last week’s blog, recounting my experimental first-time-ever ride on the Sounder, though written on that Friday, didn’t get posted until the following Monday. Today’s blog will also go out this week, since next week is Spring Break, when I’ll be working out of state. The blog will be a follow-up on the preceding, as a commentary on Monday’s and Tuesday’s Sounder commute. This time I took the Sounder because of the rain forecast. Rain may slow down I-5 traffic with inconvenient accidents, but not the Sounder. Yet the more important reason is that when it rains, I tend not to want to walk Pacific Avenue, being not a “singing-in-the-rain” -sort-of-person. Brief explanation: my choices when catching the Seattle-Tacoma Express Bus, is the one leaving shortly after 6 AM and the one leaving shortly around 6:15. But for the latter I have to wait around for 15 to 20 minutes, which is a bore, and for that reason have never been attracted to the idea of standing around fishing. The earlier bus service, however, goes directly from the Dome Station to I-5, skipping downtown, so I get off at the Jack-in-the-Box on 25^th and walk down Pacific and Commerce at 10^th to wait for the #11 bus. A wonderful, sight-variegated walk. Sometimes another Seattle commuter, accompanies me part way, a lawyer who works at the Federal Court House and who shares an interest in history, as well as a boss who is married to one of our deans. This commuting blog should be about what the pass allows you to do on foot, not just on the bus, or Sounder train. More about that in some future posting.

However, for now, back to the Sounder To catch the one leaving the King Street Station at 6:10, I have to leave about 15 minutes earlier than the usual 5:40 AM deadline for catching the first bus. (People who groan about getting up at 7 AM bring no plaintiff strains of sympathetic violins out from me, having grown up on a ranch where before-dawn risings to feed cattle and to check on pregnant heifers were normal.) Now once you are aboard the Sounder, you don’t need to worry about sloppy drivers and bad weather fouling up the traffic on I-5. Though the ride won’t be a smooth one (see previous blog), what you can do, is spread out. You have the run of the roost. Most seats are empty, even the ones with tables. If some yahoo is yakking away on a cell phone, you can find escape into another level of the train carriage, or into another carriage altogether.

Monday morning, because of the change in time, the trip started and ended in darkness, and the upper train level has lost its scenic advantage, so on Tuesday I moved down to the bottom train level, to a different riding experience. Down there the train doesn’t seem to lumber along, but instead seems veritably to race along, without many bumps and grinds. When “rosy-fingered dawn” and visible daylight eventually reappear, I may move back up, or perhaps not. A question of comfort vs. scenic vistas.

Wallace, Faculty

Sounder

2008-03-10T08:06:00.001-07:00

Last week, I spoke poetically or Homeric ally of rosy-fingered dawn increasingly lightening up the view and distractions visible from the bus windows during the morning commute from Seattle to UPS. Since the clock change this weekend will for a while darken the commute again, this Friday I took advantage of the soon-to-end dawning daylight to use the Puget pass to ride the Sounder train, even though I had to leave at 5:20 rather than 5:40 to catch it. Fortunately there was a rosy-fingered dawn this morning, rather than the furry-paw fog of yesterday which enfolded us in dense mist. Mt. Rainier today was readily visible, and looked even more spectacular than usual. The train ride was a first time experiment, which I was eager to compare with the similar double-decked trains I’d recently ridden between Dallas and Ft. Worth My findings: trains in both systems are similarly double-decked, roomy and new, and the stations along the way are also new. However, the rail tracks here are not new, in contrast to those in Texas (or Europe). Along the old tracks, the Sounder lurches and sways, creaks and clacks, more so if you are elevated in the upper deck. The ride, in other words, has “character,” like the character lines one acquires after a certain age. But no problem, unless you are like the princess distressed by the pea under her lowest-most mattress. No one will ever be asked to perform brain surgery on the Sounder. Will I repeat this “experiment” in the future? More on my next blog. One has to ration these reports, since most commutes are usually so uneventful and not worth reporting, thank heavens.

Wallace, Faculty

missing the bus

2008-03-07T15:38:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I stayed late at work, and so was particularly eager to get home and start studying for those looming midterms. My normal bus, the 1, passed right in front of me and left the stop before I could get there. Feeling antsy, I decided to walk down to the depot on Commerce and take it from there. As I approached I crossed the street--to watch it pull away without me, on the wrong side and to far too flag it down. I wound up catching the 11, the first bus that came that would go near UPS. Once on board, I realized how much I appreciate being able to zone out and let someone else handle the road. We went through neighborhoods of Tacoma I don't normally see and passed a pub a friend had mentioned in conversation; it renewed a desire to just jump on a random bus one day and see where it goes (especially now that I can do it for free).

Jennifer, student

Wait or walk...

2008-03-06T11:22:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder whether you should wait for that bus to arrive or walk one stop further down the line? Well, some mathematicians have and they worked out the answer. Too bad they didn't talk to Stephen Dubner first. I think he's got it right, if anything, walking back one stop makes the most sense. It raises the probability of getting on a bus at a very crowded stop and/or at rush hour and raises the probability of getting a good seat, or any seat for that matter.

I think this is a bigger issue in more urban areas where buses are more crowded in general and the stops are closer together. When I lived in Toronto I'd often do this bus stop leapfrog. Of course there, there are more overlapping routes so going forward or back one stop may increase the number of possible buses (or streetcars where they exist) you might hop on.

Of course, there's nothing worse (OK, maybe some things are worse...) than getting caught between stops and watching your bus roll by as you look on forlornly or break into a sprint in a futile attempt to catch it.

Perhaps this is a bigger issue around here for we bus/bike riders due to the real scarcity of bus rack space (2 per bus generally on Pierce T.). Again, as a grad student in Santa Cruz (OK, so I'm getting carried away with the links, its just such an amazing place), I often would see several fellow bikers who had arrived ahead of me at a stop and I (self interested economist that I am) would pedal on to try and grab that bike rack spot a stop before. I've never seen this happen but the game theorist in me wonders what might happen if two (or three) cyclists were to each attempt this strategy (in some sense its like the centipede game), competitively pedaling further and further up the route away from their destination.

Garrett, Faculty

bus riding thoughts

2008-03-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

One of the chief pleasures of riding public transport, especially on the long Seattle-Tacoma run, is freedom from the worries of single car drivers. No one is going to subject bus riders to drive-by shootings, probably because we’re not very individually visible, sitting high as we do behind darkened windows. Some car driver who wants the thrill of road rage will take it out on someone of equal or lesser size. What car, even a Hummer or Escalade, would challenge a bus to a game of chicken? At least those were some of the things I was speculating about the other morning, in between moments of reading, and also gazing at Mt. Rainier. Though I still start my morning commute in the dark of night, by the time the bus is half-way to Tacoma, rosy-fingered dawn has brought the mountain to visible life. Did Homer use epithets for mountains, as for the dawn and the sea? Hmm. Any epithet for Mt. Rainier would have to have some heft, like his “earth-shaker Poseidon” or “big-hearted,” “much enduring” Odysseus. In a bus one can speculate about such matters, and gaze wonderingly at the mountain, and not have to worry about inadvertently running one’s car off the road, or instigating road rage.

Wallace, Faculty

The Joys of Adolescence

2008-02-28T19:07:00.001-08:00

This week provided for some excitement on route 16. I took an earlier bus home one day this week and to my surprise was a host to not one, but two public school stops for the day. Usually by the time I get on the bus all of the middle and high school students are home and on to their next activities. Well on this special day I was able to re-live the years of adolescence vicariously through these individuals. In the end, Im glad it was short because the nostalgia wore off when two boys started fighting mid-way through the ride. Not only was it complete pandemonium at this point but the driver still had to operate the bus and worry about the other ninety-seven percent of the riders, not to mention those not in seats due to the suspense of the fight taking place or because at that very moment, there were no seats available. The fight ended quickly and one group of boys was ushered off the bus; though they would continue this, according to the rest of the eager riders, at the next stop. Lucky for me my stop was next and I did not to stay for the next scene to unfold.

Nathan, student

One month down

2008-02-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Some things I have learned:

If you are a bus, you can be early or late.

If you are a bus rider, you must be early.

Standing out in the wind and rain when a bus is over half an hour late is a very long time……..

If you are a bus, your schedule is subject to change every 4 months.

If you are a bus rider, you must be alert to these changes and change your home/work schedule and notify your supervisor every 4 months.

If you are a bus, and it is Monday, and it is Presidents’ Day or Memorial Day, it is really Saturday or Sunday (respectively).

If you are a bus rider you stranded and there is no bus phone service. Hopefully, you have read the “the bus stops here” or some kind person has alerted you to this oddity.

If you work for a large company or even a big university, your bus pass can cost as little as $72.00 annually. This is quite a break for them compared to the $54.00 a month charged to the average Joe or Jill.

Some thoughts:

Seems as if we have the chicken or the egg problem here. The bus routes do not cross each other enough to be truly efficient for the intercity commuter.

For instance, I am 15 minutes, by car, away from home/work. If I took the bus only, my trip would take 1.25 hours, with one or two transfers depending.

The bus schedule appears to be built around the schedules of students (schools) and any workers that do not have to work national/bank holidays.

If the goal is to encourage ridership, the powers that be have to find a way to be there for all of us.

I have had occasion to use the bus system in Oakland, Ca. and in Seattle. The crisscross grid is amazing and the buses are packed.

I am concerned that if I commit to this mode of transportation, I will find that the summer bus schedule will be Saturday or Sunday every day and I will be marooned.

Barb, Staff

Another crazy bus weekend!

2008-02-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

I visited some friends up at the University in Seattle over the weekend, and we sure had some fun bus times.

Since my friends are students, they used their U-Pass to ride the bus, and I was always jealous of them but now I have one too, thanks to this project. It was quite a treat.

But on Thursday, I rode the bus to run some errands with a friend. She is a lot more social than I am, and on the trip we met a couple new people. One she offered candy to [he declined] and other conversed about television and manga with her. The bus ride and day adventure gave us a lot more time to get to know each other than we normally would have. Even though the wind was cold, the trip was worth the hardship. It still sometimes surprises me to see so many young people [high schoolers] riding the bus because I never did.

Back to the weekend; there was only one time we got lost, and decided to just head back to their dorm. We didn't know how to get to Capitol Hill [which is not very far from campus, but we didn't know how far or in what direction]. The map on the bus stops were not helpful and only said a handful of buses go through that route, when later I saw the 49 goes through Capitol Hill! But we did go to the international district and West Lake Center.

The Tacoma-Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma buses are quite handy, and really do not take much more time than if one were to drive.

Amy, Student

Back from Texas

2008-02-25T08:09:00.001-08:00

In my last posting (or is it blogging?) a week ago, I said that because I’d be leaving the following morning for a conference in Dallas, there would be little to comment on. But I’d fully expected in my mind, that the following week would be different. Then I’d be able to report how miserable the Dallas-Ft Worth public transport system was, especially when compared to what we enjoy in the Puget Sound area. Never having been to that part of Texas, this somber expectation had been created by descriptions of a colleague who had recently returned from there. Terrible, she reported, no one uses it or knows about it, or expects it to run on a schedule. Yes, I discovered, there is a serious disconnect in signage at the airport for those wanting to use public transportation. But once you get by that problem (contact me for information), the transport system works. The double-decked trains between Dallas and Ft Worth, the light rail trains and buses in those cities look newly minted, are clean and well patronized, just as good as in any well run transport system, like ours. So the message of this blog is not that we are so much better than Dallas-Fort Worth, but as good. Actually we’re probably better, but that assessment would have taken a longer stay down Texas way.

Wallace, Faculty

No complaints

2008-02-23T19:45:00.001-08:00

Last weekend, I was greeted with sunny skies and decided it would be a great day to head down to Point Defiance with some friends. We all piled in a bus, along with my trusty bus pass, and headed down. We stopped at the Antique Sandwich Shop and had lunch, and later took photos on the shore. It was a great time, and the bus made it all possible. The bus ran on time, and it was a very positive experience. No complaints.

Jack, student

Where everybody knows your name

2008-02-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

Hopping on the 16 to and from downtown this past month, I've notice
that there is this community on the bus. There is a familiar rhythm
of who is driving the bus, who sits where, who gets on at what stop,
who gets off. There will be daily fluctuations of course, but the
feeling of familiarity never went away. The bus became comfortable
because of the commonality between the commuters. Thank you for the
opportunity of free public transportation!

Micaela, Student

bus trip blog

2008-02-23T11:31:00.001-08:00

I took the 51 Bus from just outside of campus to the Tacoma Mall Transit Center - I had so many errands to run! The bus picked me up right on time and I chose a spot in the back but right next to the window to enjoy the sunlight that's been in town. The bus was about halfway crowded but there was a feeling of happiness in the air that was intoxicating for everyone, probably a result of the sunlight that's been casting its waves over Tacoma.

Nothing particularly special happened on my lunch time trip to the mall, except that it was busy and a lady who had just gotten pictures taken at the mall struck a conversation with me over the overall attraction of the pictures. She was nice and told me about her 6 year old daughter.

Jennifer, student

Is it a Bus or a Garbage Truck?

2008-02-22T07:55:00.001-08:00

I have never had trouble distinguishing a bus from a garbage truck until I walking between bus stops at twilight looking back down the street for about 3 blocks and had to determine if the large greenish vehicle at the stop light with the running lights above the windshield was a bus a little ahead of schedule (so run to the next bus stop) or a garbage truck making its rounds (so continue sauntering to the next bus stop). Because I could not see the bus route number, I decided it was a garbage truck only to watch the garbage truck drive by followed immediately by my bus.

It was a good day for a walk.

Brad, Staff

18 Minutes to Heaven

2008-02-22T04:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday Morning: Sun shining. Dewey leaves. Oh my god, this day is amazing! Point D is the place, my calling. It only took 18 minutes to get there and I pretty much napped all the way. Sometimes I think I am narcoleptic, but that's besides the point. The point is this was an amazing day and it had to be spent outside. I ran for an hour and half through a multitude of scenes. I could run like a crab with the waves lapping at my feet or like an Asian Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mahicans through the woods. Everything felt so simplistic. My skin only felt the rush of cool air with notes of the salty sea. My eyes were tantalized with the sun shining through the canopy leaves of the tree. My ears only heard the pattering of my feet and birds chirping. I found pure bliss in virtually nothing. I spent another half hour indulging in my biology nerd personality. I wandered about practicing for a bio lab quiz by identifying the vast varieties of life all around me. I reluctantly boarded the bus and enjoyed the glow of pink light passing through my closed eyelids as I dozed on the short ride back to campus. I really, really, really am enjoying the advantages of a free bus pass this week.

Mei-Lani, Student

Sinking in apathy?

2008-02-22T04:51:00.000-08:00

I love to people watch and it just so happens to be that buses are one great place to people watch. My friends and I, in need of some off campus chill time, headed on down to the Mad Hatter Tea Company downtown. It's right by the 10th and Commerce transfer station. Full of tea samples and interesting people, it's a great way to relax, but still try to pull of the oh so intellectual college student appearance. Anyways, our bus ride downtown was pretty thought provoking. Everyone seemed jazzed up about Hilary Clinton's visit. My friends and I first sat quietly and pointed out places we always wanted to go. Then an elderly guy began an intensive interview amongst the three of us on our political stances. He didn't seem to care so much about what we said, but rather how we said it. He wanted drive, ambition, passion. He wanted emotions of rage or joy to reverberate with our voices. Yet, I didn't feel it and now I wonder how much I feel about anything? Where are my wild protests of the 1960s college students? Where's my passion?

Mei-Lani, Student

A Surprise in Every Bus

2008-02-22T04:49:00.000-08:00

After months of pleading, my sister finally came to visit me at school. She only stayed overnight and her train got in pretty late. For the first time, I used my bus pass to get to the Amtrak station. Her train got in a few minutes after my lab got out and the excitement and small time gap forced me to sprint to 21st and Lawrence. I hopped on the bus, both weary and excited. My sister has a generally negative opinion of Tacoma and thinking of this I felt a little pessimistic as the bus headed through the paved streets into the bleak night. From previous rides from Seattle I knew the Amtrak station was close to the Tacoma Dome transfer station, but I wasn't quite sure where to head. I asked the bus driver and he gave me the most thorough instructions I have ever received for walking half a block. The enthusiasm in his voice put a little more pep in my step and the conversation carried on to Ol' Jim, the bus driver in the bus next to us. Ol'Jim, apparently, is one fantastic guy. The two of them shoot pool every night after work to blow some steam. I was really surprised at the driver's contagious joy. I'd be exhausted and cranky after driving people around all day, but this driver was open and friendly. I never thought, until that ride, that a bus ride would cheer me up.

Mei-Lani, Student

No thanks, I have a ride!

2008-02-21T21:31:00.001-08:00

The beauty of having a bus pass is the unlimited amount of rides you can take! Previously, I always bought coffee in the morning, purely for the extra benefit of receiving change back so I had exactly $1.50 to ride the bus for most of my trip. And even though I had that $1.50 and I could ask the driver for a transfer, I had to keep in mind just how much I was going to spend. I always had to debate whether or not I would try to walk in an effort to save money, or if I REALLY needed to get somewhere on time, I would have to fish around in my backpack for another nickel or dime.

And even if I caught a ride from a friend, I love riding the bus. Not just for the convenience, I love riding the bus for the few minutes out of my day that I’m not in the UPS bubble. The bus takes me into the “outside world” that includes Proctor, Safeway, Pt. Defiance, Old Town and so many other wonderful places for a curious college student.

Courtney, student

The Bike/Bus Connection

2008-02-21T17:03:00.001-08:00

Although this is my second year working downtown and advocating alternative transportation, I must admit the bike racks on the front of the buses still worry me. This fear of the racks coupled with my unwillingness to pay the $1.50 fare has kept me from the buses for far too long. Biking to work has always been a great way to start my day and since I start work at odd hours, the traffic's not too bad. Coming home is much less exciting...trying to combat rush hour traffic uphill the entire way is not my favorite way to end my day. So today I faced my fears and placed my bike on the rack. Despite my apprehension, it did not fall off and get run over and although the entire bus got to see me awkwardly trying to fit my bike in the rack, the bus driver was very helpful and the bus pass made getting on go nice and smoothly. While my fears may not be completely overcome, I'm sure that with practice I'll become a bike rack pro.

Liz, Student

First Week

2008-02-21T16:10:00.001-08:00

This is my first entry and I must admit I have been a little delinquent in participating so far. I have recently returned from a semester abroad and was excited to hear about the prospect of increasing public transportation at the university. It is uncanny how efficient the transportation system is abroad and I think this, coupled with Sound Transit and their efforts, is a great first step. Upon my return to campus I have moved a good distance from campus (University Place) so this will be a huge saving for me this semester. So far everything is going good. I am still getting used to it all as the nearest stop is pretty far away, but I am still figuring out alternate routes. No exciting stories so far. I am sure there will be plenty to come in the upcoming semester though.

Nathan, student

We Are Not Alone

2008-02-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 18

There won’t be much to comment on this week, since from tomorrow I’ll be in Texas for a conference. Today being President’s Day, the morning buses were fuller with riders than usual, as has always been the case during all my years commuting. In a way, it’s an affirmation for us bus riders that we at UPS are not alone, but part of a larger community of no-day-off working stiffs, rather than just ivied ivory tower elitists.

Wallace, staff

Lost with Lace-less Shoes

2008-02-21T10:45:00.001-08:00

I had some excitement yesterday. I had the pleasure of getting lost taking the 592 instead of the 590 or 594. I saw the sign “Lakewood” and thought that was close enough. Before, I would never take this kind of risk.
By 6:00 pm at the 512 station, all was dark on the western front. I could feel myself getting tense. The station was set up like two orange slices parallel to each other. I walked back and forth between these two slices, looking for a ride back to 10th and Commerce. I accosted a black man who told me where I was: the 512. We both ran to the 574 to see if it could get us back to Tacoma, but the driver sternly told us to wait for the 594 that was sitting humming waiting for the 6:30 time slot. This was exciting. I had never been this far south by myself. I always like to walk streets or bus because I get to know the people better. If you’re driving, you can’t stare out the window and observe the going’s on.
After I got back on track back to the UPS bubble, I had a nice talk with a man about the University Way in the 1950’s. The conversation burst out from him when he verbally admired my shoes. He was curious about sneakers because I’m lace-less. I described to him what the clerk told me when I got my shoes, that most customers described feeling like butter after wearing them. I emphasized butter for his own sake in a purring-like voice. I think he enjoyed hearing that. I also told him that I got my Pumas on the Ave. The conversations changed into how much the Ave has deteriorated. He went to the UW back in the late 1950’s before there was malls, “Everyone went to the Ave.” These kinds of spontaneous conversations are invigorating when we go through our lives being selfish in our pursuits.

Todd, student

bus

2008-02-20T22:33:00.001-08:00

I take the #55 bus from my house to the Tacoma Mall then switch to the #51 which drops me off right next to the stadium. The ease and effectiveness of this transportation is well worth the time and effort.

Brian, Student

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Holidays are Slow days

2008-02-20T21:38:00.001-08:00

So, apparently Monday was a holiday, President's Day, but I don't think UPS got the memo. We had school of course, and I didn't realize that the buses were on holiday schedule until my bus was 30 min late. Luckily it was a beautiful day outside so I got to enjoy the weather.

Pierce Transit just changed the 16 schedule so now my connection from the 594 to the 16 is always good; I dont need to go running after it anymore.

This Seattle pass will save me $200 this semester, which is mucho dinero for a pobre estudiante like me. That's $200 extra spending money, UPS, and the nightclubs in Seattle thank you.

Random Fact: It's possible to go from Tacoma to Bellingham on public buses alone. Of course, it takes like 5 hours. I was gonna use them to go to Bellingham Airport and use Skybus, the super-cheap airline that lets you go to New York for like $20, but then they stopped servicing Bellingham.

Daniel, pobre estudiante

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Nice Gesture

2008-02-20T10:14:00.001-08:00

I’ve been riding Pierce Transit for over 25 years and I love it! It’s so convenient! I am extremely jazzed about this opportunity provided by the Transportation Task Force! Last week my bus downtown was running a tad late, so I prayed that the “16” leaving downtown hadn’t left yet. Well, to my surprise, the 16 was about to take off, then it stopped. With coffee in hand and desperation in my eyes, I hustled across the street and was delighted that the driver hadn’t left. When I got on the bus, I told the driver, I was so glad she was still there and she said, “Oh, I saw you and I know you catch this bus, so I waited. Membership has its perks!

Cassandra, staff

lessons

2008-02-20T01:01:00.001-08:00

This entry I sent over the weekend was also lost...so here goes again.

There's not much news; no particularly interesting experiences. I’ve just been really grateful to have the bus pass, which makes my thrice-weekly commute downtown to work much easier and worthwhile. The past couple of weeks have not yielded any particular experiences, but I’ve often been frustrated and checking myself for those feelings. There’s frustration with drivers who are cranky or who hit the brakes a little too roughly, jarring the passengers. I shouldn’t complain; it’s an important job they do, and not one I would take. I love talking to strangers, but sometimes I want to zone out and have my own space. We’ve all been there, but what’s wrong with a little connection? There are the annoyances of delays, taking the form of slow-moving cars/passengers and red lights. I have to be careful of my impatience; we’ll all get there at the same time, and I shouldn’t be angry for a few more minutes to be alone with my thoughts. Maybe it’s trite, but there’s a lot to be learned from riding the bus.

Jennifer, Student

First time user

2008-02-19T16:07:00.001-08:00

I wrote an entry over the weekend, but it was swallowed in the internet somewhere.

I got my pass last Wednesday and have used it a few times already, and am about half an hour from other ride. I first took it to the Wheelock Library a few blocks away. It is quite embarrassing because it is quite close by anything but walking, but I wanted to test the card out, and will use it for the same purpose today. That was the biggest news from that ride; the small bit of embarrassment of being the last one on and the first one out since there are only a couple stops inbetween.

I did ride the bus to Olympia on Friday [first down to the terminal then to Olympia], and that was more eventful. I met this high school girl going to meet a guy in Olympia to drive down the Portland. I did worry about her, but haven't seen anything worrisome in the news. I also got a little carsick because I was reading during the ride, bad idea.

Looking around the bus, it was full of people I wouldn't ordinarily see on campus, and it was much cheaper than having my parents pick me up from home and take me back.

Seattle Adventure

2008-02-19T11:58:00.001-08:00

When my friends and I heard that Obama was going to speak in Seattle, there was no question of whether or not to go. The only problem was no one had a car and parking would be a nightmare. It seemed that the bus to Seattle was the perfect solution. I went onto piercetransit.org and planned out my trip from the University all the way to Key Area in Seattle. Everything went smoothly until we walked out of Key Area to find the bus back. I looked at my itinerary and suddenly realized that I had mixed up a.m. and p.m. when planning my trip. My schedule was planned for 2:30 a.m. on obscure bus routes that I had never heard of. But we had to get home. We followed the flow of people to the bus stops, asked the locals for directions, and somehow ended up in downtown Seattle. By then, of course, it had started to rain and we hadn't eaten in about 8 hours. After calling home for directions that proved unhelpful, my friend and I decided to use our heads and figure out a way home. The one place I knew in Seattle was King's Station so using our map-reading skills, we planned out a route to King's Station. Two hours after leaving Key Area, we arrived wet, hungry, but very proud at King's Station. We had made it!

Kayla, Student

Rolling late

2008-02-19T10:21:00.001-08:00

Late…late…late…pushed it just a little too far this morning…. Lingered too long over that morning paper… one too many hugs for the four year old urchin clinging to my leg as I rush out the door.. Urgh! Gotta head back in for the bike helmet… really gotta boogie now and get some love from the streetlights if I'm to have even a slim chance to get that 7:30 bus. There's the yellow school bus headed at me down the street. If its on time maybe I'm not doing so bad after all…..

First light… green. So far, so good. Bottom of the hill I can see that lovely green glow… stay, stay, stay, stay, Yellow. #@%$! In my mind's eye my bus is slowly pulling away just a few blocks away as the evil red eye glares at me and log trucks rumble by. Looks like I'm chasing today. (The beauty of a bike is that it can catch you up a few stops.) Jog left, right, up the road a bit and there it is, red light working in my favor this time. I roll up to the stop, flag her down, load the bike, and ease into the warmth and safety of my usual seat. Piece of cake. Time to sit back, pop open the coffee mug and let someone else deal with the stress of the road.

Garrett, Faculty

Small World

2008-02-18T22:12:00.000-08:00

Subject: Small World

Another venture up to Seattle, this time at a more humane hour, reminded me of how small the world really is. On my way to the University District, I ran into a guy that I started up a conversation with. Turns out, he was originally from Nepal. I mentioned to him that I was going to spend the next school year over in the Pacific Rim, but that Nepal was off limits for study abroad programs for the time being. He told me that there was nothing to worry about as a “tourist”—tourists bring in the majority of the income of many of the communities in Nepal. The conversation progressed. He currently owns a store in Seattle, but about five years ago had a similar store in Estes Park, Colorado. Oddly enough, I have a tapestry hanging in my room at school that was purchased from that very store, five years ago.

Tara, Student

Running with the Early Bird

2008-02-18T22:11:00.000-08:00

Subject: Running with the Early Bird

In celebration of getting my shiny new bus pass, I ran a 5k. Well, actually I had been planning to run the 5k before the bus pass came along. I decided to take the bus up to Green Lake in Seattle. The downfall—what would have taken 40 minutes in a car, required that I got up at 6am on a Sunday morning, to make a 9:30am race. I honestly can’t say that I was awake enough to remember the majority of the ride up there, but at least I made it to the race on time.

Tara, Student

A priest, a preacher, a rabbi and an Imam get onto a bus ...

2008-02-18T22:07:00.001-08:00

..and the bus driver says, “What is this, some kind of joke?” True story (ok, not really).

I’ve been an avid bus rider for several years, taking Sound Transit between my home in Seattle and work at the university. I used to connect with the 594 via bike but that became a little too sketchy (close calls as I flew down city streets when I was running late--which was most of the time) and I began driving to an informal park and ride below the West Seattle bridge where I could catch the 594 at its last Seattle stop. When my van’s engine gave up the ghost about a month ago, I was forced to consider new options and started taking Metro’s #2 to the 594. The 2’s my favorite bus, largely because there’s a stop a half a bock from my house, but, unfortunately, the connection with the 594 is tight, the 2’s often late and I spent some of the coldest mornings of this winter sitting at the 2^nd and University stop, waiting for the next 594 to arrive.

A few weeks further along (and several thousand dollars poorer) I had a new engine in my van and resumed the park and ride routine. Surprisingly, I soon felt that, despite the hassles I’d encountered with the 2 connection, just leaving the van at home and riding the three systems—Metro, Sound Transit and Pierce Transit—had become a lot more appealing option. I’ve had one super in-the-know student bus rider educate me on the clear superiority of the 12 (with a stop two blocks from here) for movers and shakers in the bus riding world, and I’m embarking tomorrow on a slightly revised daily odyssey. Wish me luck.

By the way, has anyone else noted Phyllis Fletcher’s (KUOW) remarkable knowledge of Seattle’s buses? I think deep Seattle bus knowledge separates the real Seattleites from the carpet baggers (or, even worse, the East Siders).

Matt, Faculty

P.S. Thanks for the pass!

Choose My Bus Route

2008-02-14T10:18:00.001-08:00

Now that I have a bus pass, which bus should I take to work and back? It seems that I have 3 choices: I could take the 28 headed for downtown on South 12th to Union and then the 51 going north on Union to campus; I could walk about 6 blocks to 6th Avenue to take the 1 headed downtown to Union and then catch the 51 going north to campus; or, I could take the 28 to Tacoma Community College and then ride the 16 to the Fieldhouse.

I live off of S 12th so I decided the 28 to Union would be my first choice. My plan was to catch the 28 at about 7:00 and hope the 51 was a little late so that at Union, I could walk off the 28 and on to the 51. Unfortunately for me, the 51 has never been late so instead, I have had a nice walk to campus.

The connections are a little easier returning home because I can walk out of my office at 5:15 to catch the 51 across from the Thompson parking lot. I can then ride the 51 to South 12th to connect with the 28 en route to Tacoma Community College so that I am home by about 5:40. (On the other hand, I could just walk out of my office at 5:00 and continue walking to home and also arrive by about 5:40.)

Brad, staff

no news is good news

2008-02-14T08:10:00.001-08:00

The news this week is no news, which is good news. This past weekend the bus schedules changed, though not as much as the drivers, with the shake-up of their route assignments. Last Friday morning the riders bade good-bye to our regular driver for some time. We’ll miss her, we said, and jokingly added that we’d now have to break in the new ones. Actually no one this week has had to called out, “No, no, you’ve missed the turn-off,” or “you’ve missed a stop,” or “what are we doing in Tukwila?” The new drivers after all the shake-ups I’ve experienced over the years have been well prepped. The one exception was because it was not part of the written script. One afternoon years ago, on the trip from Tacoma to Seattle, the driver was alerted by radio to a traffic accident ahead on I-5, so she turned off to take the Valley Freeway. Normal procedure in these situations, when buses are timely warned but car drivers often aren’t. The bus sped along, and all was going well until we got to Renton and she didn’t know how to get back to I-5, having missed the turn-off. But neither did her passengers, who were making all kinds of conflicting suggestions. Yet no one got angry, because we understood the humor in the blind-leading-the-blind situation, and were getting to see parts of Greater Renton not on the tourist maps. Besides, the bus did finally reconnect to I-5, and no one was lamenting about missing the first act of “Parsifal” at the Opera House. A sense of camaraderie and humor on the bus makes the commute all the more enjoyable, as well as a Schadenfreude about all the single person cars stuck in the traffic jam that afternoon. So, no news this week about misadventures with new drivers, and that’s good news.

Wallace, staff

The place where we met each other

2008-02-01T15:17:00.001-08:00

Last year after the big wind storm, I rode the buses from one part of town to another to see the damage that had occurred. I met people who were forced onto the bus because their cars were blocked in by downed trees. I also saw how neighbors were out helping one another. As people would get on the bus, they were in more of a frame of mind to reach out to others. It gave me the feeling of living in a smaller place than we do. The buses that day were the place where we met each other—where we were all living in the same town, not Northenders or Southsiders.

Jane, Staff

An adventure in NYC

2008-02-01T14:39:00.001-08:00

The first time I ever rode a bus was in 2004 in New York City. I was in the city for the weekend, site-seeing with a friend when we decided we could just hop on the bus to get to our next destination. I was under the assumption she had ridden a bus before, and she was under the assumption that I had ridden the bus before... Neither of us even thought to ask the bus driver for directions or if either one of us knew where we were going. So we rode the bus, enjoying the sights, thinking maybe the bus wasn't going in the right direction, but not worrying about it too much. All of a sudden, the bus driver yells, "Last stop!" We look around, confused, not knowing where we are as he yells again, "I said last stop!" As we were not acquainted with the city or its inhabitants, we quickly hopped off the bus before we were yelled at again. Looking around we realized we had no idea where we were...except that the street sign was in the mid-100s and we wanted to be at least in the 70s! There was no cab in sight, so we started to trot on down the road some 20 blocks looking for civilization. It turns out, we were actually in a dangerous part of town! Eventually our tired legs caught another bus headed back in the right direction, and we survived our first (and I thought, last) bus adventure.

Three years later, I sold my car, bought a bus pass, slowly learned the bus ridin' ropes, and have never looked back. I love public transportation!

Jessica, Staff

A helpful stranger

2008-02-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Taking the bus to Seattle for the day and walking around in the rain...it was a great day, but it got late, and we almost missed the bus. I was standing next to my friend, looking at the schedules trying to figure out which bus we were supposed to take. A random guy asked, "Are you going to Tacoma? The bus is one block over." We walked around the block to see the bus pulling up, and it happened to be the last bus out of town. Without his help, we probably would have been stranded in Seattle. My friend and I still joke about it from time to time.

Jonathan, Student