Experiencing the joys of Oshkosh mass transit
The Reverend Thomas C. Willadsen
Mama always said, "If it's free, take it." So I have been riding the bus a lot this fall. I am teaching a course a UW-Oshkosh this semester, and along with the lofty title "Lecturer," I am the proud holder of a Titancard. The Titancard gets me on any Oshkosh Transit System bus free.
Sometimes, I admit, I take Mom's advice too far. Last summer I spent close to $60 taking my son to a "free" Brewer game. We got our tickets through a promotion at a local business, but we did not get parking, gas money or bratwurst out of the deal. After realizing how much my free game had cost, I was pretty discouraged. The evening was not a total loss; chorizo won the sausage race. I've been a chorizo fan since I was tiny.
Riding the bus with my Titancard, however, is not only free, but enjoyable. The only time I visit with one of my neighbors is when we get on the bus together. The bus drivers are always friendly and cheerful. Riding the bus is better for the environment that taking my car; and thanks to my Titancard, it's cheaper.
People who use mass transit are leaner on average than people who drive everywhere, because transit riders walk more. The walk from my house to the bus stop is much longer than the walk from my door to the garage. At my office I can park right by the door. This compares to a three block walk from the bus stop to my office. Taking more steps in the course of one's day adds up, and makes transit users trimmer.
The only disadvantages I see for riding the bus are that it less convenient than driving, and it requires me to plan my day and week a little more carefully.
Transit planners call people like me "choice riders." I have a car. I live close enough to my office that I can walk or ride my bike in good weather . On nice days I can choose one of four different modes of transportation to work. This is a great country!
Last week I had an encounter on the bus that convinced me to remain a loyal transit user-even after my Titancard expires. As I walked down the aisle after boarding, one of "the friendly ladies" motioned for me to sit next to her. The friendly ladies live in a group home on my block. They always talk to my boys and me when we walk to the park. They always wave to us when we drive by. I sat next to the friendly lady. She reached into her backpack and handed me a plastic bag filled with coins.
"Do I have enough here for a soda at McDonald's?" she asked.
I counted her change and told her how much there was, but I could not tell her how much soda costs. She was a few cents short.
The lady in front of us reached into her wallet and gave the friendly lady enough money for her soda. Now I am riding the bus surrounded by friendly ladies!
Next the first friendly lady informed me that I have not been down to their house to clean their gutters in a while. Another great thing about the friendly ladies is how well their voices carry. Everyone on the bus heard that I had not cleaned the gutters. I promised to stop by on Friday, if it was not raining.
When I drive to work my only company is the radio. The day I sat next to the friendly lady, by the time I got to my office that morning I had already had a good day! I had saved money, helped reduce pollution, and I could tell mom that I still use her advice. What mother does not want to hear that?
This column first appeared in the Oshkosh Northwestern, December 2, 2009.