Rider-Driver Solidarity Evening
What: A discussion–hosted by the Seattle Transit Riders Union–of the current state of public transit in our region, “and how we can organize to fix it.”
When: Monday, May 21st, 7 PM
Where: Labor Temple, Hall 8: 2100 1st Avenue

From STRU’s blog:

The $20 car tab fee that temporarily saved our bus system last summer is due to expire in 2013. But on April 10th, the state legislature ended its special session without passing any sustainable local funding options for transit. This means that next year, Metro is likely to be right back where it was in spring 2011, facing deep service cuts.

But are we really so completely dependent on the state government to secure funding for public transit? Is there nothing we can do here, in our own city and county? The TRU is researching other options: progressive local funding mechanisms that can bring in revenue for transit service and other improvements, such as a low-income fare to make transit affordable for all poor and working people in King County.

I will definitely be there (am crossing fingers that Smooth Jazz will, too). Hope to see you!

Bus mom reading

Bus mom walking

Much love to all my fellow bus moms.

During the months between May and October (aka, bus chick high season) life on the ground is lovely–far, far prefarable to life trapped inside an exhaust-spewing metal box stuck in baseball traffic. We walk more than we wait (truth be told, except in extreme weather conditions, I do that year round), worry less about how late we get home (sadly, bedtimes still exist during DST), and spend as much time as we can outdoors.

On a beautiful day, there is plenty of occupy us in our own corner of the city. We are spitting distance from five great parks. We can walk to a city pool. We can take the 27 down to the lake and put our feet in the water. (Almost as often, if we have time, we walk all the way down there–and back.)

But sometimes, much as we love our neighborhood, we get tired of beating the same paths. Sometimes, on a sunny day, we have a hankerin’ for an adventure. Today was one of those times. So, we bus types rose early, threw on some playin-outside-in-the-sunshine gear, and did what we do best.

First, we caught the 27 to 3rd & Yesler, then walked to Pier 50 to catch my beloved Water Taxi.

Busling love, love, loves the retro paint job on “his” Space Needle.

It was Chicklet’s job to find the mountain. Hello, Tahoma!

On the other side:

At Seacrest, we caught the (free!) Dart shuttle to the Admiral District.

We stopped at the church where my mom’s ashes are buried to bring her some early Mother’s Day flowers.

Then, we played (and had a snack) at the park near Hiawatha Community Center, which is one of Chicklet’s favorites.

By the time we caught the shuttle down to Alki, it was still early.

After plenty of good sand and water time–and after a quick stop at the cafe formerly known as Alki Bakery–we caught the 56 downtown.

Despite an extra-long wait at 3rd & Yesler (27 was 18 minutes late, and nothing else was coming), we made it home in time for Busling’s nap.

Perfect, perfect day.

Fortunately, our neighbor, Mark, happens to be down with some cool, museum worker types who actually hang pictures for a living. He hooked us up, and the lovely lady and gentleman came over and helped us put it up. The scroll looks great, but, despite all evidence to the contrary, that’s not what this post is about.

This post is about a man named Josh, one of the cool people who helped us hang our picture. Josh is a self-described “transit and history buff,” and he really liked our scroll. Josh doesn’t own a car, and the story of how he came to be without one is one of the best I have ever heard.

In addition to being a picture-hanging expert, Josh is also an artist and therefore tends to spend time in the company of other artists. One of these other artists is a very talented portraitist. Josh really wanted this person to paint a portrait of his elderly grandfather, but he didn’t have the money to pay for it. What Josh did have was a car that he rarely used; living on First Hill, he rarely needed it. So, he offered an exchange. The talented portraitist got some (not-so) new wheels, and our history buff got an enduring reminder of a man who has had an immeasurable impact on his life.

I think we know who got the better end of that deal.

Next time, I’m hoping to come across something cute in a size seven.

The competition was pretty stiff this year (folks at every bus stop in the neighborhood were dressed) but these two looked so sharp, we had to stop and give them props. Even Chicklet was impressed.

Well done, gentlemen!

What: A holiday set aside to acknowledge, celebrate, and otherwise lift up all the hard-working men and women who get us where we’re going. (Note: KC Metro drivers–and, I’m assuming, drivers of many other transit systems–are not allowed to accept gifts. But, saying something nice, like, “thanks for your hard work” or, “happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day” isn’t against any rules I know of.)
When: Sunday, March 18, all day long
Where: Public buses on planet Earth

Humanity on Wheels: An Evening of Mass Transit Tales

What: A “TriMet Diaries storytelling event inspired by Muni Diaries Live and Back Fence PDX.” I heard about this when I was wandering the streets of Portland weekend before last, and I thought it sounded fun. I’m going to have to see about making something similar happen in the 206.
When: Tuesday, March 20th, 7:30 PM
Where: Jack London Bar, 529 SW 4th Ave, Portland

Perspectives on Public Transportation

What: A moderated discussion between authors Darrin Nordahl and Jarrett Walker about what will attract riders to public transit.
When: Wednesday, April 18th, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Where: Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle
How much: $5

Bring on the next nine.