Public transportation has come to pass
By Gail Paparian
or the Record Gazette
When I was growing up, I knew I had reached
“majority” when my parents finally permitted me to take the bus and the
subway on my own. It opened up a whole world of freedom to me that I
wouldn't see again until I obtained my driver's license.
I could take the bus to the movies, visit friends and, on those wonderful
occasions, take the bus to the subway that would take me into “the city.” In
this case, the city was Manhattan.
With gas prices rapidly approaching $4 a gallon for the cheap stuff, how I
wish we had public transportation for the public that was Š. not only
accessible, reliable and affordable but more attractive so people would be
yearning to use it.
In order to find out how buses run in Riverside County, Banning Mayor Brenda
Salas (who also works for 5th District Supervisor Marion Ashley) and I
boarded the bus near Kmart in Banning and headed for Moreno Valley.
The first thing you want to know (which I didn't) when boarding a bus is to
bring exact change, because the drivers do not handle money or make change.
Happily for Brenda, she had a plastic bag full of change because she hadn't
yet visited her friendly ATM machine!
Because of her youth, she got to pay “retail” for the one-day bus pass (a
really good idea!). It was a modest $3.75. Because of my age (old), I got
the senior rate which was only $1.85. It did cost me $2 because I didn't
know about having the correct amount.
I had arrived a few
minutes early and was hoping to be on one of the modern looking CNG buses.
When I saw the few number or people who boarded the bus, it was obvious why
we were in a smaller one. It bounced its way through the streets and the
freeway. The first stop was at Riverside Regional County Hospital. This is a
good place to stop. The nice driver who had gotten us there was at the end
of his shift or something and another driver took the seat.
It was around about this time that Brenda started
looking a little green around the gills.
She said that she had a tendency to suffer from
motion sickness. Poor Brenda was afraid to open her mouth - I suspect for
fear of what might come out.
At that moment, the driver said that he was new to
this route and did anyone know where we turned? The four other people on the
bus said nothing. I had no idea where we were! Brenda was able to get out
the words, “just turn in here and stop Š I'm really sick.”
Fortunately, he did turn in and a most
uncomfortable Ms. Salas bolted off the bus and just made it to the bushes.
Meanwhile, I was trying to get the driver to let me off, too. I was
concerned about Brenda and equally concerned that I had no idea where we
were!
Here's the thing that I found incredulous Š the
driver just closed the door and left us in the middle of a parking lot!
Feeling better by then, Brenda asked me how I felt about walking. Seeing few
options and having prepared myself by wearing comfortable shoes, we set off
to find the next stop or the next bus to somewhere.
Brenda had her well-used cell phone with her and
it was necessary to call the RTA (Riverside Transit Agency) office several
times. From her reaction, she received a varying amount of useful
information.
We took a very long and healthy walk and viewed
some of the newer development in Riverside (county). We walked miles in what
felt like a concrete jungle, with nary a bus stop in sight. Maybe they were
using some old plans and hadn't taken new development into consideration?
I checked the RTA website and found that there are
14 Riverside cities involved in the program, plus 4 of the 5
supervisorial districts: Banning, Beaumont,
Calimesa, Corona, Canyon Lake, Temecula, Riverside, San Jacinto, Norco,
Perris, Moreno Valley, Murietta, Hemet and Lake
Elsinore. Although I know the Coachella Valley has
Sunline Transit District, I was extremely disappointed that I
couldn't take a bus to the Palm Springs area.
As we continued our walk, I found it difficult to
believe that the county of Riverside has done some incredibly poor planning
for these new shopping areas. For an example, take a look at Day Street and
Canyon Springs. It is clear that the parking lots are NOT built for public
transportation and still cater to the
gas-guzzling-single-person-driving-a-vehicle.
Maybe planners should talk with transportation
folks who should also consult with school districts and better planning
might occur? With all of that said and even with some glitches, I intend to
ride the bus again.
A few of the people we saw on the buses looked
like regulars. They were reading their newspapers or dozing; thankful that
they didn't have to drive. Routes have to be better analyzed and
ridership needs to be encouraged. Bus benches
need to be cleaner/ newer/better and garbage cans need to be emptied on a
regular basis. I did not see one recycling bin during all of our bus
changing.
The RTA website said they do not accept
advertising on the inside or exterior of the buses. Why not? These
advertising revenues could and should go toward making bus
ridership a pleasant experience and worthwhile
doing on a regular basis.
Once I can eliminate the pain in my hip, I'm going
to make this trip again or choose another route. I will ride my bicycle to
the bus stop and put it on the bus rack. Upon arriving at my destination, I
will peddle my little heart out while shedding pounds as I go.
I applaud the efforts made by the RTA and look
forward to the agency working out some of the above noted glitches. With a
better marketing and advertising plan, I suspect the investment would pay
dividends in the form of increased and loyal passengers.
I have long been a fan and beneficiary of public
transportation and I applaud the county of Riverside's forward thinking. I
would be just has happy to leave my car in the garage and navigate my trips
through public transportation.
An added benefit is to preserve our natural
resources and stop our dependence on foreign oil,
we could go a long way by getting people out of their cars and into
efficient, appealing and cost effective buses.
Gail and her husband Bill Paparian created a
service called Writing Solutions in 1996. Gail has also written for a number
of local and national magazines and newspapers over the years.
Currently, she provides public relations
consulting services for the Banning Unified School District. She can be
reached at
info@WritingSolutions.com.
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