The Slice: Many are simply missing the bus

A few years ago, someone with the Spokane Transit Authority approached me about being part of a promotional campaign.

This person knew I rode the bus and wondered if it would be OK to include a brief profile of me in a public-relations series about STA riders. The idea was to show that all sorts of people take the bus.

I ran this by some higher-ups at the newspaper. And they discouraged me from taking part.

There was some concern that my involvement would be too much like me endorsing a political candidate or advocating a public policy position. Or something.

So I declined the invitation.

Maybe it was just as well. At about the time this came up, I had pretty much stopped riding the bus in the morning and had started walking both to and from work.

But this winter, thanks to several stretches of impassable sidewalks, I became reacquainted with taking the bus. I was reminded how much I enjoy the people-watching and getting to ignore the traffic.

Here’s the thing, though. Practically every time I tout riding the bus, I rediscover that there are people here who never have and — if I’m correctly reading their tone — never will.

So, at the risk of violating some pledge of impartiality, I’d like to say a few things about riding the bus.

First, let me be clear. I am not insane. I get it about the convenience of a car.

I understand about doing errands on the way home, picking up the kids, et cetera.

And some of us need a car for work. My employer provides automobiles that can be borrowed during the day for business purposes. If not for that, I might need to drive to work.

But people don’t rule out the bus strictly because of the convenience factor.

Here, in my estimation, are the Top 7 reasons some in Spokane refuse to even consider mass transit.

1. Impatience.

OK. But once you get the hang of the timing, there doesn’t have to be a lot of waiting.

2. The Menacing Punks on the Subway movie/TV genre.

I think some people are convinced every mode of mass transportation features the presence of scary criminal types. All I can say is I’ve taken STA buses hundreds of times and never once had to surrender my watch and wallet.

3. The belief that riding the bus is just for poor people and social outcasts.

This is an attitude that might be more understandable if Spokane was a jerkwater town or a suburb. But Spokane is a city.

4. Don’t want to have to walk the three blocks from the nearest stop to your home.

If you don’t have an infirmity or an armload of weighty packages, it’s actually quite doable. Try it. You’ll see.

5. Fears about not being able to figure out the schedules/route maps.

Just ask one of the drivers. Four out of five are pretty friendly.

6. “I don’t like the looks of the people who hang around the STA Plaza.”

They, on the other hand, haven’t even noticed you.

7. Desire to personally support the oil companies by buying lots of gas.

Suit yourself.

“Today’s Slice question: How many hours will you devote to yard work before next winter?