The Trail

Issue date: 2/23/07 Section: Combat Zone

The popular Route 52 bus making its way down Union Avenue, just past Greek Row.

These days, there seems to be very little respect for public transportation. Granted, most people would prefer traveling in the privacy of their own cars across town or to wherever they want to go. But I believe that there are people completely devoted to public transportation and I found such a young man awaiting a bus on the corner of 6th and Union, or as it's more commonly known amongst its college-student riders, as 6th and Sketchy.

This young man, who asked that his true identity be withheld, shall henceforth be referred to Fred. Fred was outspoken about his love for America's public transportation system. We have decided to omit some of his comments, as they reflect more than a healthy platonic love for American mass transit. He opened my eyes to what I've been missing by traveling via car.

I couldn't help but notice the gleam in Fred's eyes as he relayed some of his most memorable moments on Washington state's buses. He told me that bus seats are one of our greatest connections to other human beings; it's how we can get close to the strangers around us. Not only do buses come with complementary heated seats, thanks kindly to the last passenger's presence, but these seats also tell a story. Each stain is some nameless person's legacy. The persistent jelly donut stain reminds us of the working man's rushed commute. Meanwhile, the grease of McDonald's fries indicates the obsession of our nation with food on-the-go. The bus itself is a symbol of sustainability at its best, the ultimate carpooling experience, which will get you anywhere you want to be half an hour later than you wanted with a friendly smile, and without Dane Cook's trademarked super-finger (but only if you're really lucky).

Fred also eagerly insisted that there are rites of passage that only the bus can provide. He reminisced on a recent trip to Chicago, Ill., and his utmost respect for that city's "El" train line. In the middle of January, he found Jesus. Naturally, this statement piqued my curiosity. Fred further explained that he had been fortunate enough to see Jesus strutting across the train as high school students serenaded the savior incarnate with Kanye West's "Jesus Walks." Fred also recalled seeing a blind man on the train that walked between the cars begging for money.

Continued...

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