Taking the bus wins

By: Eric Ely

Posted: 3/10/10

After spending my entire career as a student at Madison Area Technical College as a commuter from out of town, I recently made the move to Madison. Along with this move I also made the switch from driving myself to school to relying on public transportation to make it to and from campus on a daily basis.

Janet, my reliable 1994 Geo Prizm, now just sits at home, alone, while I am whisked away by Madison Metro buses to (just about) any destination around town, Madison College being my most visited location.

My location on the corner of South Blair and East Washington is ideal. I am able to catch the No. 6 bus at a stop just across the street from my house. The walk to the stop, even on cold February mornings, isn't even enough to wake me up completely and get me ready for my day.

At 9 a.m. I stumble to the stop and board the bus at 9:04 to settle down and finish the homework that I should have had done the night before. In just 17 minutes, with my homework as done as it's going to get, I'm at Truax at 9:22, just in time for my 9:30 class.

This is one of the perks of riding the bus. I've found that homework is much easier to finish when you are not driving a car. The short ride to school is the perfect opportunity to finish up my last minute schoolwork. I've found that I am not alone in this homework endeavor; almost daily there are several others who, like me, take full advantage of their ride to school.

Riding the bus also provides many other advantages.

I'm not afraid to admit that I am a bit of a creeper. People watching is such a fun, entertaining activity, and riding the bus provides ample opportunity to do so. Along with the transport provided, the entertainment value of a ride on the bus makes the trip just that much more enjoyable.

The bus pass provided to students of Madison College makes riding easy, accessible and cost efficient. Even when I am using the bus to get to places other than Madison College I am able to use my pass without having to pay each time I ride. It also helps me to save money on gas, allowing me to indulge in other personal pleasures instead.

The convenience factor is also a big plus. I walk less than a block to travel from my downtown location out to the Truax campus. The bus schedule is also very convenient. As I mentioned, I am able to arrive right on time for class each morning.

Another perk of using the bus for transportation to school is that I do not have to deal with the crazy parking situation at Truax. Instead of trudging through the winter snow or laughing as I walk past those crazy car stalkers who sit at the end of parking rows with their cars running waiting to pounce on the closest available open spot, I am dropped off on the school's doorstep. I depart the bus directly on Wright Street and walk right into the school. We all know how much of a problem parking is, at least those who drive.

Thankfully I no longer count myself among that group.