TRANSIT STORIES

Seattle, WA – My name is Safiya Ilyas. I’m a first generation Somali American, and the eldest of four. I love the outdoors, and go hiking with friends anytime I find free time. I also love spending time with my family. I just graduated from high school, where I was a Seattle Public Schools Student Board Member, on Congressman Adam Smith’s Youth Council member, a Running Start Student, a barista, and a Fred Hutch intern. It was a busy four years! This summer, I’m doing an internship with Microsoft, and then I’ll be heading to Scripps College in the fall.  While I do have access to a car that I share with my mom, I’ve found Seattle’s public transit to be the best way to get to school. For one, it’s the most affordable option. Seattle’s transit system is free for people under 18, which is a huge incentive to use it over driving. It’s also the fastest option. If I were to take the car, I’d be stuck in traffic, and I’d have to find parking in Capitol Hill, which is impossible. Meanwhile, my bus runs every 5 to 10 minutes and drops me off right in front of

My name is Eshawney Gaston, and I’m a food service worker in Durham, North Carolina. In the past, I’ve been a cook, but I’ve worked the register and have done warehouse work as well. I’m also a proud member of my union, United Southern Service Workers (USSW). I’ve been using the public transit system since I was 15 and have relied on it for most of my adult life to get to work and the other places I need to go. I recently got a car, but due to some maintenance issues, I’m using public transportation as my primary way of getting around.    I generally like the bus system in Durham and think it’s a good service that everyone should have access to, but there are some things about it that could be better. For starters, the bus stops could have better protections against the weather, like coverings for rain, indoor areas where people can sit for longer while they wait for the bus, or some kind of heating so that people aren’t waiting in the cold. They could also have seating available, because people shouldn’t have to stand while they wait for the bus, and that’s especially true

I work at a convenience store and take the bus to and from work every day. I have to be at work at 7 a.m. most days, so I get up at 5:30 a.m. to take the 6:30 a.m. bus. The ride is only 10-12 minutes if the bus comes on time. When the bus doesn’t come, which happens often, I have to wait 45 minutes to an hour for the next bus, and then I am late to work.

I am a high school math teacher in Dallas, Texas, public schools. I am also a proud union member with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). When I moved to Dallas a couple of years ago, I was under the impression that it was like other big cities like New York, where everyone could use public transit to get around where they need to go. However, I realized quickly that this isn’t the case and that we don’t have world-class public transit across the country.

Chicago, IL – My name is William Sheets. I am an Amazon delivery driver, and I bring packages to Chicago’s doorsteps. I’m a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Transit has been essential for me since coming to Chicago. I ended up losing my car in May. It impacted me significantly, and I needed to start riding public transit.

I do have a driver’s license, but I’m a tentative driver and feel safer taking the bus. I used to take the bus everywhere in Chicago and Korea. Here in Honolulu, I have waited 20 or 30 minutes for a bus and sometimes have just given up and walked.