Omnitrans

Although its not the point of this blog, I would like to use today's post to talk about the specific "brand" of bus service I have been using these past few weeks.  Omnitrans provides bus service to a large portion of San Bernardino county, including the city of San Bernardino itself.  My travels on Omitrans busses have so far been a reasonably pleasant experience.  Unlike the Los Angeles MTA bus that I was a passenger on earlier this year, these busses are quiet, they seem to ride well, they smell okay, and the seats are as comfortable as reason would allow.

However, I do see two possible areas of improvement.  First, it would be great if I didn't need exact change for the bus.  If it is impossible to implement an on-bus change machine, then how about some sort of easily printed credit voucher?  Second, when a free-ride program ends, such as the one from my school that just ended, it would be a nice gesture to post a sign at the bus stop informing people of the change.

My complaints are really quite minor, and all things considered I wish to congratulate Omnitrans on a job well done.

Opportunity knocks twice

When I started using the bus this summer for necessary transportation my attitude was all wrong.  Although I was determined to make the best of it, I felt that it was somehow unfair that it was necessary.  My line of thinking was that I had somehow been wronged, that this was some sort of punishment for a sin uncommitted.  What the hell is wrong with me?

First of all, this "hardship" has caused me to write this blog.  After all, what else should I do with my time while riding the bus?  Perhaps more importantly it is a great opportunity for exercise.  Let me be clear - I could find a way to exercise on my own.  The problem is that there is always a justification for not doing it. This way I don't have a choice - if I want to get home, I must walk the last three miles of my journey.  The only alternative is to wait around for hours to be picked up, and even I am not that lazy.

So there it is - this "burden" that has been placed upon me is the two best opportunities to happen to me all summer!

People on the bus

While waiting for the bus to leave today I had a wonderful chat with the driver, which made me think about the people who ride the bus.  Many people think that only disadvantaged people ride the bus, but that simply is not true.  For example, as I write this, two professors from the university I attend are discussing the Fall schedule jut over my left shoulder.  Sure, there are poor people on the bus, but most of them are honest, hard working people who are just trying to get from point A to point B.  Yes, there is the occasional thug or smelly homeless person, but they are the exception to the rule.