Backpacks and Buses

After being a public transportation rider for the past month and some change, I have discovered that it is much easier (and safer) to travel with a backpack versus a purse.

Purses are easily snatched.

Wearable backpacks are not.

My observations have led me to notice that my fellow public transportation riders have discovered the same and about 90% of them also use backpacks over something that has to be carried.

So for those of you who may be considering the "public transportation switch"...if you do...ditch the purses and go backpack. You'll thank me later.

That's all for now.

Talk to me if you want!

Til next time...

Where Y'all Goin'?

This past Saturday I had to take the Metro train downtown.
I got on and thought that it was awfully crowded for a Saturday.

When I got off the Blue Line to connect to the Red Line, there was a THRONG of people on the platform. I'm talking HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS!

WHOA!!!

I said to myself, "Where did all these people come from and WHERE are they going???"

What I didn't realize was that they were on their way to the Women's March. How I didn't know about the march is beyond me...but...I didn't.

Anyhoo...that's where they were all going. Cool.

So I did what I needed to do downtown and headed back to the train station to go back home. Seems like there were TWICE as many folks GOING as there were COMING. So many so that the trains were PACKED and delayed in taking off because folks weren't following directions...as in..."Please step away from the doors. The train can not leave until all doors are clear." Simple, right? Apparently not because folks continued to block the doors.

At this point I was getting annoyed because I could tell that these weren't "regular" train riders, as I am...and I wished that they had all just driven in their fancy lil cars instead of clogging up the train. Yes folks...I've become a "train snob." Who knew that there could be such a thing?

I was truly irritated.

Then I thought about it for a minute and decided to cut the folks some slack because they were crowding the train for a good cause. Heck...had I known about the march I probably would've been out there with them too. Actually...no...I wouldn't have.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I "hate" crowds...but I will say that I don't do well in them. When it comes to protests and/or "making my voice heard," I do best with letter-writing. Gets my point across without being bumped into, or having to find the nearest bathroom.

So yeah...who knew that one who rides public transportation could be so "snobbish?" Really? Who knew???

With that...Let the DIALOGUE begin: What method do YOU use to make YOUR voice heard?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Goin' My Way?

Today marks exactly ONE MONTH since I last drove a car.

I no longer have a car and so I have learned how to get around via public transportation. To be quite honest, it hasn't been too bad.

Google Maps has become my new best friend and has allowed me to figure out exactly how to get where I need to go.

During this past month I have discovered that I prefer the train over the buses. Trains are better for me because I don't have to worry about missing my stop, and...they run on a fairly regular schedule.

With the bus, I can easily miss my stop if I don't know where I'm going, and they don't always come when the schedule says they do. Depending on how close I am to my destination, I sometimes just walk the rest of the way if I've waited to long for the next bus.

The only real downfall to riding public transportation has been  riding at night (which I don't like at all), and not being able to get to some of the places that are further out. I have a friend who just moved to the outskirts of town and public transportation simply doesn't go there. That's a really bummer. Other than that though...it's all good.

How 'bout you?

Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you rode the bus or train?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Going Where?

Here recently I've become a regular rider of public transportation as I no longer have a car.

For the most part it's been okay. Rainy days have been tough, and being out after dark isn't much fun (in another post I'll share with you my recent ride that I took from a stranger. CRAZY...I know!)

Aside from those two things though, I've gotten pretty good at getting where I need to go. Google Maps has become my new best friend. I don't leave home without it.

Where things get a bit tricky though are at the bus stops...like the one pictured here. Can somebody, ANYBODY tell me WHICH ROUTES stop here?!? I mean, yeah...I can clearly see that Long Beach Transit and the Metro stop here, but again, WHICH ROUTES?!? You don't have to be a regular bus rider to know that that information is kinda important. By the way, that 2407 at the bottom of the sign isn't the route number I'm referring to. Apparently it has something to do with the route, but that isn't the number that I'd be looking for on the actual bus.

Between signs like this, and bus stops that have NO sign AT ALL...the experience can be a bit frustrating at times.

For this reason, my favorite method of public transportation are the trains. You know...Blue Line, Red Line, Green Line, etc. They are SOOO easy! And since the trains have fewer, yet clearly marked stops, I can actually READ on the train and not worry about missing my stop. I rarely read on the bus unless I'm coming home. That's pretty much the only time I know exactly when my stop is coming up.

In my travels, I've learned that some buses announce EVERY upcoming stop. That is sooo helpful! Others, only announce the MAJOR stops that connect to other lines. On those buses I have to pay extremely close attention otherwise I look up and could be three or four blocks away from where I meant to get off. That's great for my Fitbit...not so great if I'm trying to get somewhere by a certain time.

Anywhoo...It's been almost a month and I miss my stops much less often than I did at the beginning. Little by little I'm becoming a pro. Me and my TAP card know how to get around.

How 'bout you? Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are you a regular public transportation rider, or are you like the majority of Californians enjoying the luxury of having a car?

Talk to me!

Til next time...