KENNEWICK, Wash. – Last week, I participated in Washington’s Week Without Driving challenge, part of a national initiative to highlight the importance of alternative travel especially to those who are unable to drive or can’t afford to.
My goal: to ride the bus every day. And if I couldn’t, reflect on why I didn’t.
Before the week had even begun, I spent the night before researching and preparing for the week. Using Ben Franklin’s website, I found two apps to use, TRANSIT and Ben Franklin Transit. Those two apps would become crucial to finding a route and getting to work on-time.
After seeing several options that I could take in the morning, I settled for the one that seemed the most straightforward. I’d leave my apartment and take on a 20-minute walk to Clearwater Avenue where I’d catch a bus directly to my place of work.
That morning, I woke up extra early to make sure I had everything I needed, as I couldn’t return home until the end of my shift. Leaving my place, I waked twenty minutes to the bus stop, where one of my first problems would manifest.
I forgot to grab my dress shirt off my hanger. It hit me then and there at the bus stop. Nothing could be left behind, otherwise I could potentially be late for work or miss my bus. In that moment I thought about how fixed routes and travel times were. There was no room for error.
Jamie Torres, a disability advocate with the Disability Rights of Washington, told me later that this was a common occurrence for those who rely on public transportation.
“It’s very anxiety-like inducing…it’s horrible because you don’t have the option to return and go pick it up real quick,” Torres said.
On the second day, I had another setback; this time as a failed alarm. Waking up with only an hour to get to work was nearly impossible as I still had to throw together my lunch, iron my clothes, shave, and eat. In a groggy panic, I ended up driving to work. Once again I realized that public transportation was it’s own little job. You had to work to get onto the bus and make it to your destination on time.
By Wednesday, I was refreshed and back on the challenge again, waking up early and getting to the bus stop in record time. That evening, I took the bus home too, riding with a coworker who took the bus every day.
Jake Webley, the content manager at KNDU, told me that he relies on the bus.
“Sometimes the buses don’t come on time, sometimes they get delayed or canceled…it’s a lot of planning and having to adjust your day,” said Webley.
By 8:00 PM, I was off the bus and walking home in the dark.
Then, the next day, I faced another setback that I hadn’t considered. Having to go in early to cover a story.
I hadn’t researched earlier routes and was unsure when the bus would be running. So, to play things safe and ensure timeliness I drove to work. The entire drive over I felt guilty of driving, realizing that it was a luxury many people didn’t have.
On Friday, once again, I bussed to work. Making sure the night before to readjust my alarm and have everything prepped and ready to go, I woke up bright and early to catch the bus. That night, I caught an Uber to visit a friend who lived across town, knowing that the busses would certainly take too long to get me there on time.
By the end of the week, I felt appreciative of my ability to drive and the fact I owned a car. I had experienced what it was like to have to rely on public transportation, and at times it was incredibly stressful. I also thought about how important the services of Ben Franklin Transit are, and what they do for the public.
Something that Torres had told me that week stuck with me as I continue to reflect on this experience.
“We could always do better, but, they’re (BFT) doing a great job and a great service to this community regardless,” said Torres.
