TRANSIT STORIES
Transit Stories is a series of real-life experiences with public transit in the U.S. We feature the first-hand experience of public transit riders. From large cities to small towns, we will document the experiences of the millions of users of buses, trains, ferries, and other forms of public transit in the US.
Public transit is essential to our communities, to cooling the planet, and to advancing equity.
Transit is essential to our very lives. This year there is a unique opportunity for the country to make a historic investment in public transit funding to help the country build back better.
Transit Tuesday: Richard Jackson
Transit is the lifeblood of our economy and allows me to have a decent life.
Transit Tuesday: Ian Buck
Minneapolis, MN – My name is Ian Buck, and I teach computer science, cybersecurity, and media production, for 10th – 12th graders in Career and Technical Education programs. I teach district-wide across Minneapolis Public Schools and have students at all of the district high schools, which requires me getting around town as efficiently as I can. I am also a member of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT).
Transit Tuesday: Barbara Henry
Providence, RI – My name is Barbara Henry and I’ve lived in Rhode Island for over 20 years. I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and, 3 years ago, I got a fulfilling job at the Fogarty Center working with people with disabilities. Not only do I love my job but it completely lifted me out of poverty. My whole life changed and it’s all due to being able to go from Point A to Point B. I own my home in Providence now, where I live with my son. For the first time in my life, I can breathe.
Transit Tuesday: Lucy Braginski
Bellingham, WA – The bus is a really important staple for our community. I usually walk to the grocery store near school, but sometimes I take the bus when it is raining or when I have heavy groceries. Bellingham’s hills can make even short walks hard, so it’s nice to have another option. I also take the bus downtown, and once you’re downtown, you can pretty much walk everywhere.
Transit Tuesday: Marvin Martin
Dorchester, MA – Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that the bus starts very late on Sunday, after many people are already in church. There weren’t any other alternatives and I didn’t have money for an Uber. I ended up walking 2 miles on a bad foot.
Transit Tuesday: Mary Lou Burke
Chesapeake, VA – When people tell me they’ll never use transit, I share this story and tell them that never is a long time, and that it never hurts to know about another way to get around.
