It started as a solidarity move. Many people in the community I serve do not drive, and I wondered, what would it be like to get around on public transportation for awhile? Can it be done easily, or no? Whenever possible, I started taking the bus for in-town travel.
I’ll add that we have much better public transportation in my town than in many places around the state, and in that regard, it is much easier to do here. In other places, it’s not so doable, and many people have fewer options to meet their needs, socialize, and get out of the house. This troubles me. It puzzles me too. I don’t know how to solve the problem, because each county is a patchwork quilt of options and lack of options.
For the purpose of this post though, I want to say that I now adore taking the bus. I, of course, have the privilege of choosing it or choosing driving, and that’s not the same as what others experience. But when given the choice, I love choosing this option for so many reasons:
— It slows me down, not in an inconvenience way, but in a way that makes me feel more mindful, and in a way that makes me feel like time is more abundant.
— I love that I can answer emails while getting to somewhere (if I choose, that is; sometimes, I just listen to music).
— I love the process of figuring out how to get somewhere on a bus route.
— It invites me to walk outside more.
— It reduces the carbon footprint.
— It reduces the money I’m spending on gas.
— It supports this being an option for those who need it.
I truly adore taking the bus. I’m going to keep this up and ramp this up.
–Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 