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: Eshawney Gaston
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
Transit Tuesday: Vanessa Alvarez
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.
Transit Tuesday: Brinda Gurumoorthy
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.
Transit Tuesday: William Sheets
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.
Transit Tuesday: Grace Chung
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.
Transit Tuesday: Gio Roman Torres
Chattanooga, TN – My name is Gio Roman Torres. Growing up in Los Angeles, my single mom didn’t drive, so we took buses to get around. From school drop-offs to trips to work, the DASH and Metro systems were lifelines for us. Even now, living in Chattanooga, I continue to use public transit, though the experience is a bit different here.
