to keep me sane

Last week, SR and I ventured to travel to Chicago by public transport. Since we have lived in BG for a few years and have learned to drive, we have not tried pub transport for a while. We grew up with buses, street cars, trolleys, trains, and other ways to travel in and between cities without touching the steering wheel of a car. We were longing for the opportunity to find an alternative for the 4 hour drag of driving.

On Friday our friend had to take us to Toledo to “the bus station” – a random place in an abandoned parking lot of a dying mall. I was happy to see a few more people waiting at the bus stop. I realized that we were not alone.
The bus did not come at the scheduled moment. I did not come in ten minutes and even in twenty. What do you do? SR called the dispatcher, and found out that the bus got broken on the way to from Pittsburg to Cleveland and would be late. Good beginning is half the battle, I thought. Maybe we should go back, and drive to Chicago? – asked SR. I insisted that we wait. The bus arrived just 1 hour and 30 minutes late. We boarded the nice looking vehicle painted dark blue, with screaming 1 dollar fair printed on its side. The last person to get on the bus was a lady on a scooter: The driver was supposed to open the back door and use the platform to lift the scooter with the passenger. By the end of this successful operation, the driver had no idea how to close the back door. Two hours of waiting - we were still 30 miles from home. After dancing around the bus and trying some tricks, the driver managed to close the door. We hit the road.

The drive was nice, given the circumstances at the point of departure. I enjoyed the bus – comfortable seats, air conditioning, and friendly people. What else did I need from a public bus? If I were to change that ride, I would seat next to SR. You know, sitting for four hours I could lean on him… In any case, we reached Chicago!

Sunday morning, SR and I walked back to the Union Station where we were supposed to catch the bus. We figured if Chicago was the first station on the way, we had a pretty fat chance to sit right next to each other. This time the bus was late only 15 minutes. I suppose it was within “the acceptable limits of on-time” After hustling in between three buses that stopped by the sidewalk near the Union Station, we boarded the blue bus again. “The system works!” rushed through my mind. The bus rapidly filled in with passengers, and we headed home almost without delay. We passed a dozen of traffic lights, raced through skyway, and crossed the state line to Indiana. About 45 minutes on the road. “The system works!” rushed through my mind again. The next moment the driver pulled over and switched off the engine. She dialed her radio and informed the other side that the bus did not work. The company sent another bus from Chicago station and in another hour we were truly going home. A friend had to pick us up in four.

Well, I enjoyed the ride again. The service was worth the price we paid – almost nothing. The public transportation does exist, yet it is unsystematic and amateurish. Oh, the life of fabulous and privileged! Booking the tickets online, having cell phones to call, having friends to give us a ride. The trips could have been better.

Most likely, I am using MegaBus for traveling to NCA. I plan to take more snacks for the road. Good luck to you too!

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