No, as I walked over to Cup, a cute little coffee shop near the train in my neighborhood, in the warm sunshine, I just couldn't bear the thought of descending down into the dank subway. I needed to extend my time in the sun.
As I crossed the street to the subway entrance, a glance over my shoulder revealed the B62 bus heading my way. The bus stop was just next to me-- impeccable timing, and my out for staying in the sun a bit longer. I hopped on, juggling iced coffee, magazine, two bags, wallet and metro card, per the usual routine, and plopped down next to the window, channeling my cat as I Buddha-smiled in the sunshine.
For most New Yorkers, the bus is a bit of an anathema. Nobody takes the bus. I was at a comedy show in the Lower East Side once with a friend. While I had stepped away momentarily to use the restroom, the comic made a mention of the MTA cutting bus routes. "What loser takes the bus anyway?" he asked. Good thing I was in the bathroom-- I had taken the bus there that evening. I was probably the only person in the room who had, and my friend most certainly would have pointed me out.
I don't quite know how to explain the hate. Perhaps the preference to travel underground relates to the New York neurotic sensibility. Perhaps it's because of the traffic. Maybe it's a socio-economic thing.
I understand the traffic concern. I usually limit my bus-riding to the outer boroughs, where traffic tends to be sparer. Still, two summers ago when I was interning in the 50s on the west side and then commuting to my second job in the 50s on the east side, I quite frequently took the very convenient crosstown bus, and even in thick traffic, it got me to my destination in minutes.
I've on the whole found buses to be timely, reliable and clean. And, of utmost importance, they're ABOVE GROUND! They also offer good alternatives for travel, so you can easily shake up that commuting routine and get the creative juices flowing.
As for me, I arrived to work yesterday smiling and energized, with no need for a second cup of coffee. I did ultimately have to hop on the subway during my morning commute, but those few extra minutes in the sun for sure made a difference in what turned out to be a very productive day.
2 comments:
another pro-bus point- the bus driver's actually in the bus with you (as opposed to the subway conductor, who could be in any of the cars and not paying attention to his passengers)... which tends to limit / eliminate the presence of shady characters (at least in my limited nyc bus riding experience).
and also, there ain't no other public transportation option to get you from upper west -> upper east. not that you care.
There's a stigma in the US that the bus is transportation for poor people, which I think is ridiculous. I take the bus to work (Providence to Newport) on occasion, when both Liz and I will end up in Newport at the end of the day (silly to have to drive 2 cars home). It's actually entertaining (other passengers, drivers drive like maniacs), but I can get a good amount of work accomplished if I set my mind to it.
Post a Comment