The Transit Less Traveled

This may be blasphemous coming from a dweller of the (metropolitan) Motor City, but when my car lease ran out at the end of April, I'd been mulling over whether I needed a car at all.  Before you think it was all high-minded environmental idealism, I have to admit the catalyst for leading my thinking away from automotive dependency was primarily financial – as the sole provider for my family, I just couldn’t justify two car payments – especially when an alternative means of transportation started two blocks from my home, and ended two blocks from my place of employment: the Smart bus!

“Bussing it” – like I used to, back in elementary school, has become a 2 – 3 day/week reality for me, a thirty-something marketing professional traveling to and from Detroit.  I catch the 420 (“4:20, brah!”) each day to the Cultural Center.  I won’t say it’s the most comfortable form of transportation, but it has its advantages: 1) financial: I’m saving hundreds of dollars a month with one less car payment, plus the roller coaster pricing of gas; 2) environmental: these diesel behemoths are running anyway, so at least I’m removing a car from the carbon matrix; 3) intangible: there’s something communal about riding the bus.  Maybe it’s the idea that in utilizing mass transit, I’m doing my small part towards making it relevant in this region.  Maybe it’s the ability to let my mind roam, to get some work done, even to meditate during the ride, as opposed to having to concentrate on the drive.  Maybe it’s the rare honor of giving up my seat for a lady when the need arises.

As for the downside, well… it easily takes twice as long to get anywhere than it does by car.  Certain busses don’t seem to come equipped with shocks, and there are days when the energy level onboard can easily bring one down.  The schedules are limited, and I have short windows of time within which I have to plan my travel each day.  But c’mon – there are folks that take 2 or 3 busses each way to work or school, to visit friends or support their families, to even be able to travel outside of their immediate neighborhood – so I'm definitely not complaining.  And though I’ve waited in the wind and rain, I’ve yet to endure a winter taking the bus.  I’m not even sure I will.  But for now, I’m fine bussing it.