Writers:

The Bus Tribe - Adventures in Mass Transit

Posted on Feb. 26, 2008 at 8:37 a.m.

It's the not-knowing aspect of bus travel that I find most difficult. At what time will the bus arrive? No one knows. How long will I wait? Can't say. Today I stood waiting on Lake Park Avenue so long that remaining in the patch of sunlight shining through the gap between two highrises required my moving three times. I was there so long I could witness the earth rotating.

The wind blew. I was alone. A bus came toward me, but it was the wrong number. I shook my head regretfully at the driver and he kept going. Another five minutes, another shift in position. A second bus approached, the same route number as before. I wanted so badly to get on. Never mind that this bus would take me not north but west, into neighborhoods where I have no reason to travel. I didn't want to be out here anymore alone and vulnerable in the wind. I wanted to be part of the bus tribe, warm and possibly seated.

Comments (8):

pruneyprunee commented, on March 2, 2008 at 10 p.m.:

I have heard somewhere that in some cities you can use your phone to find your next upcoming hus....did i dream this? does anyone know more about this? As I was leaving work the other day I heard a man about to take the bus say to his friends that even if there were a schedule you could never count on it...lets figure out how we can get to the next level with buses.

Jill commented, on March 3, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.:

The next level with buses would be for them to coast to a smooth stop in front of my bus stop once every four and a half minutes.

Instead of ads, their sides would be decorated with messages on how to live green and be kind to your family. Maybe some jokes, too. Inside, a bus driver would say hello and ask if you needed any particular help, either figuring out how to slide your card or assistance to your seat. Attractive people of the opposite gender (or same, if you prefer, somehow the next level of buses would already sense this) would slide over to offer the seats next to them to you. After making your selection of a seat mate, you'd exchange 30 friendly words to one another before settling into your respective novels, each of which are engrossing.

On spring days on the buses of the next level, the windows would actually open, and they'd bring in fresh lake air, lifting the spirits of all.

On hot summer days, the AC in the bus of the next level would actually be working for a change. You'd step out of the scorching sun of the sidewalk into a bus as chilled as the interior of an expensive clothing store.

laurene commented, on March 7, 2008 at 5:56 p.m.:

Great news! CTA keeps working towards better transit despite all obstacles they had to overcome to get funding. They have a pilot project underway for tracking your bus! check this out:
http://ctabustracker.com/bustime/home...

Jill commented, on March 9, 2008 at 8:26 p.m.:

Now if only I had reason to take the #20 bus down Madison street, this would be useful...

(That's the only route covered so far!)

What if an enterprising person laid a trip wire along her bus route, about seven blocks before her stop. It would be calibrated so it would only go off with the precise weight of a CTA bus. When the bus passed over it, an alarm would go off in your apartment to let you know it was approaching, and you'd better find your keys.

Stephenie commented, on March 11, 2008 at 11:08 a.m.:

I ride the bus and train exclusively. I don't have a car- uh, well, I have one but it refuses to run and I refuse to fix it. When the temperature warms, I will be riding my bike. But for now, I depend on CTA for all my traveling needs.

Here’s a story that might help you in the future…I know it will help me!

My friends moved to the nether regions of Portage Park. My husband and I live in West Town. To get to their house on CTA is a great challenge about an hour to hour and a half long, with 1 bus, train, and another bus! Leaving their home after 10 pm is even a greater challenge because both buses that service the area stop running around that time (I still haven’t figured out exactly when). I recently found this out when visiting last week. I was waiting for the 152 Addison Bus to take me to the Blue line for about 25 minutes; it was about 19 degrees and I was alone in the dark.

I am staring at the CTA sign that says it runs through the "evening." I am thinking to myself "evening"...that word is fairly subjective. I think it's evening, but what is it really? Is there a definition that CTA uses? How do I know what it is? Why don't they just put a time on the sign? Man, I am cold...

Then, my watery eyes focused on The Number. There's a phone number on the sign! I can call it! Oh, they’re probably not in service because it's after working hours... But I am cold, desperate and need to know when the bus is coming - if it's coming at all! So, I ungloved my hand and quickly dial into my cell phone - 836-7000. Ring, ring, "Hello, CTA Hotline, How can I help you?" Oh thank God!
The nice woman on the other end explained to me that the 152 is coming but will only go to Central - not far enough for me. But then she says the number 91 Austin bus will be at the stop a few blocks away in 4 minutes. 4 minutes??? Run!

I made it to the 91 and with a minute to spare to catch my breath and calm down. When I got on the bus, I settled into my seat and felt comfortable, warm amongst my fellow tribe-mates... I arrived at the northerly Blue Line stop of Jefferson Park and continued my long trek home to my West Town Apartment. On the train, I had plenty of time to reflect on the experience and recognized that all this time I have spent complaining there was a great resource right in front of my eyes! I am so glad I realized the number was there to help me that night. It’s now programmed in my cell phone. 836-7000. So, I guess it's safe to say that I have found my place within the Tribe.

Laurene commented, on March 23, 2008 at 10:28 p.m.:

Love the story!!!! Everyone should know the number and be able to call, I wonder if the city could make it easier to remember by allowing you to call 311. That kind of convenience and reassurance will make riding transit easier.

laurene commented, on March 24, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.:

here's good news about more buses that can be tracked to make your riding experience more efficient!!!!

13 routes will be added to Bus Tracker, beginning April 7. Press release is at this link:

http://www.transitchicago.com/news/ct...