Making It Home

Even though I missed the bus into work, I did make it home via bus on Friday afternoon. This time I made sure I was on the correct side of the street.

At 4:10 p.m., I walked over to the Triangle Transit Regional Transit Center. It was only a 2 minute walk from my office, so I had time to kill before the bus was to arrive at 4:20 p.m. I sat on the covered bench, which was nice to have, as it was a hot day.  I scanned YouTube, read “Joy Luck Club” and waited for the TT 201.

As the buses started to arrive, I looked at the banners at the tops of the buses to spot the bus number I needed. The 201 had been spotted.

When the bus came to a stop, I first waited for exiting passengers to get off the bus. Then, I walked in to the bus expecting to ride the bus for free, since that is one of the benefits of working for Triangle Transit. The bus driver, however, told me I needed to pay the $2 fare. I was confused and disappointed because I didn’t have any cash to pay with.

He was just joking. I was relieved. I boarded the refreshing air-conditioned bus, found a comfy seat by a window and began to read my book once again.

On the bus were fellow homeward bound RTP employees.

After a 30 minute bus ride with a few other stops along the way, the bus neared my stop. I pulled the yellow cord, indicating I wanted to get off the bus. I guess I pulled it a bit early, as the bus driver looked at me from his mirror with a puzzled face. He dropped me off one stop early.

[Lesson 3: Pull the yellow cord to get dropped off at your bus stop.]

[Lesson 4: Don’t pull the yellow cord too early. Pull it when there is 40-50 feet between the bus and the bus stop.]

Once I got off the bus, I had to cross the street twice and then I was home.

It is a great feeling when you get home via green transportation because you know you have helped the planet breath a little easier that day.

Next on my agenda: take a train to a fun destination!