Public Transportation: something about that 'love your neighbor' stuff

With an excess in environmental idealism and a lacking in money, my move to Portland seven years ago allowed me to learn the pleasures and pain of public transportation. As an AmericCorps Volunteer fresh out of college, I was exposed to many of the beauties of this fine city via the bus lines. And here, you can see a lot. www.trimet.org

Even now that I don't NEED to take the bus, I still think it's a great thing. The environmental reasons are obvious and monumental. But my morning ride also allows me quiet time to journal. My afternoon MAX ride exposes me to a mixture of working people and 'the salt of the earth'. And being out there in the world, with the people (not plugged into an iPod) enables me to know how we're doing. I'd rather not be sheltered and numbed to our pain. Some of us our poor and terrified. Some are tweaking out on drugs. Some are quiet and observant. Some are absorbed in our books. Some are laughing with friends. We're livin it. Travel with us!



Pictured here are Trimet's shining examples: Bus (often powered by biodiesel), MAX light rail, and Streetcar.

So here's my pitch for using public transportation: Encourage (demand!) your city fund it. Pay for it. Use it. And enjoy it!


Portland's newest cool thing, the beautiful Tram!

And what lovely views from the top of "Pill Hill" (where Oregon Health and Science University resides). Below is a shot of East Portland at Mount Hood. This volcano, 50-something miles from Portland, could blow at ANY TIME. (teaches you to savor the moments, eh?)


Below is a pic of Mount St. Helen's and the lovely Willamette River. This volcano is also 50-something miles from Portland, and when it erupted in 1982 they say that many windows blew out in our city. Portland was covered with inches of ash. Wow.